(S02E11) It's as though the folks behind The Big Bang Theory have been listening to me. This episode had everything I've been wanting: a bigger part for Wolowitz and Raj, acknowledgment of Penny and Leonard's relationship, and a good amount of Sheldon, without making the episode Sheldon-centric.
I don't recall if BBT had a Christmas episode last year, but if not, they should be sure to do one every year, because this is one of the best of the season. Penny finally got out of the laundry room and was front and center, when she not only decided to give Sheldon a Christmas gift, but took up with the hot new physicist at the university.
I'm kind of surprised that Sheldon succumbed to the social obligation of gift giving. I would have figured he would just refuse to participate in such an antiquated ritual. But since he did decide to participate, the generic girl gift of bath items was a perfect choice.
Wolowitz and Raj didn't have much of their own going on in this episode, they at least got to leave the university and play a few games of Wii bowling. Plus, the entire Zac Efron conversation more than makes up for the fact that they've been underutilized as of late.
I also really liked how they handled the Penny/Dave relationship. It was nice how Leonard went along with her stupid lies about being queen of the nerds and loving science. That's why I like their relationship: they're supportive of each other, even in situations in which it may hurt them. Penny gave him good advice about Stephanie, and he's helping her with David.
After they broke up, which, let me just take this opportunity to say, never, ever take naked pictures of yourself. In this digital age, it's not going to end well. Penny is lucky that guy was married, or else I guarantee naked pictures of her would have ended up in the university break room. Anyway, after they broke up, I loved Penny's coping mechanism: dumping rum into a carton of egg nog. Damn, she's classy.
The way that Leonard and Penny broached the subject of their botched relationship was really natural. I appreciate that they're still taking it slowly by getting each other joke gifts and just enjoying each others company, instead of rushing right back into things.
Sheldon's reaction to Penny's gift was absolutely among the funniest moments of this show's history. Having him show genuine gratitude and excitement (he hugged her!) was a pleasant change of pace. It was nice to see Sheldon's softer side.
Some of my favorite lines from this episode:
Wolowitz: He doesn't do anything for me. If I were going to go that way, I'm more of a Zac Efron kind of guy.
Raj: Oh yeah, like you have a shot with Zac Efron.
"What are you looking at? You've never seen a hypocrite before?" --Leonard
Sheldon: Where were you that was more important than Wii bowling night?
Leonard: Well, I---
Sheldon: It was a rhetorical question. There is nothing more important than Wii bowling night.
"Don't feel bad, Penny. It's a classic rookie mistake. My first Hanukkah with Sheldon, he yelled at me for eight nights." --Wolowitz
"I brought it upon myself by being such and endearing and important part of your life." --Sheldon
"You'd have to drive a railroad spike into his brain so I could beat him at checkers!" --Leonard
"All I need is a healthy ovum and I can grow my own Leonard Nimoy!" --Sheldon
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
12-16-2008 @ 2:09AM
jakeq13 said...
Sheldon's reaction to Penny's gift was beyond priceless. The of the funniest 90 seconds on TV -- ever!
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12-16-2008 @ 2:24AM
Paul said...
I wish I could grow MY OWN Leonard Nimoy!
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12-17-2008 @ 5:32AM
bruce said...
Yeah this was a very good episode. I forget which episode it was, but as I recall, Sheldon had talked before about the necessecity of reciprocity in gift-giving, and why he doesn't like to participate. I think it was in regards to a birthday present, but I could be wrong.
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12-16-2008 @ 4:15AM
Matt said...
Sheldons reaction to Penny's gift was by far the funniest moment in this shows history (OUTSTANDING)
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12-16-2008 @ 7:59AM
Michael said...
They did have a Christmas ep last year - it contained one of my all time favorite Sheldon moments. Sheldon and Penny went to their equivalent to Best Buy where Sheldon proceeded to hack into their computer system and ring up hapless customers asking him for help. Awesome.
Even so, this year was even better. The writers REALLY know how to construct an episode and when they are on, they are really ON! Loved the Penny/Leonard jealousy bit almost as much as I loved the bromance and the gift giving. This was just about the best episode of the season IMHO. Keep it up guys, What a great way to start the week!
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12-16-2008 @ 9:54AM
stephen said...
@Don: that was actually leonard's birthday surprise party not christmas. sheldon and penny were in best buy buying a present for it.
12-16-2008 @ 8:03AM
Michael said...
"All I need is a healthy ovum and I can grow my own Leonard Nimoy!" --Sheldon
Penny's follow up was epic though:
"I'm just giving you the napkin, Sheldon."
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12-16-2008 @ 8:53AM
h8rain said...
I have to agree with everyone. That scene with the gift and the hug was easily the funniest thing I have seen on TV in some time.
This is probably the funniest show on TV right now, and I hope it stays that way.
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12-16-2008 @ 9:27AM
Teresa said...
Thought I should point out the secret geeky reference of the guest star---Anders from Battlestar Galactica. If anyone guest starred on this show, someone from BSG is perfect christmas present to the people this show is written about.
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12-16-2008 @ 9:24AM
Pasha said...
Ok uber geek references:
David plays Anders in "Battlestar Galactica." (!!)
AND his last name, Underhill, was Frodo's fake name in LOTR.
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12-16-2008 @ 3:54PM
Michael said...
Yes, I noticed that one too. How sweet would it have been for him to have been wearing an oh-so-appropriate BSG t-shirt in one of the scenes? One of the shirts he wore made me do a double take before I realized it wasn't.
If they want to continue his story line, Kara Thrace...er I mean Katee Sackhoff could make a cameo as his jealous wife...
12-16-2008 @ 9:39AM
Don said...
"They did have a Christmas ep last year - it contained one of my all time favorite Sheldon moments. Sheldon and Penny went to their equivalent to Best Buy where Sheldon proceeded to hack into their computer system and ring up hapless customers asking him for help. Awesome."
Actually that was when Penny took Sheldon to get a birthday present for Leonard for his surprise birthday party (Leonard ended up missing his own surprise birthday party).
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12-16-2008 @ 9:46AM
Dave said...
Probably the best episode of the show so far. Sheldon's nerdgasm over the napkin was hilarious. His response was even better because Penny just happend to give him something he valued so much. She nailed it for him totally by accident. Godd for her.
Sorry, but I too was fixated on the fact that he was taking naked pictures of Penny. I heard that he was married, but that wasn't as important.
On another topic, does anyone else think this show uses the laugh track waaaaaay to much? It diminishes my enjoyment of the program. They need to just let the jokes live on their own merit.
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12-16-2008 @ 3:18PM
Sam said...
The show doesn't use a laugh track, they use a live audience.
See this article:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122904206389400209.html
12-16-2008 @ 3:38PM
Dave said...
They do both. It is painfully obvious when the track is used. No live audience gives such short and hearty bursts of laughter. I guess TPTB don't expect their viewers to be bright enough to get the geek humor. Too bad.
12-16-2008 @ 10:11AM
MsKitty said...
Funniest episode ever! Sheldon's reaction to the napkin and the hug were hilarious!
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12-16-2008 @ 10:20AM
ELEFK1986 said...
"You'd have to drive a railroad spike into his brain so I could beat him at checkers!" --Leonard
wasn't it chess?
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12-16-2008 @ 11:10AM
goob said...
I agree, this was probably their best episode yet. Sheldon's reaction to Penny's gift was priceless and the hug... OMG, that was so brilliant I re-watched it like 10 times.
Great episode! I love this show!
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12-16-2008 @ 10:55AM
Glen Piper said...
Wolowitz (in response to Raj's whisperings): "You're right, it *is* funny when it's not happening to us.
Sheldon: "You need to take me to the Mall."
Wolowitz (deadpan): "It's happening to us."
Awesome sauce!
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12-16-2008 @ 11:29AM
chadwick said...
This show kicks ass!
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