AlthoughThe Big Bang Theorywas incredibly popular with audiences, the series was often underrepresented in major critical discussions, especially when it came to awards recognition. Jim Parsons’ portrayal of Sheldon Cooper earned him four Emmy wins, but the series as a whole was not seen as a critical darling in the way shows like30 RockorArrested Developmentwere.The Big Bang Theory’s use of traditional multi-cam sitcom tropes and laugh tracks often led to the show being unfairly dismissed.
The Big Bang Theoryexcelled in character development over time,particularly with arcs like Sheldon’s emotional evolution and Howard’s growth from a wannabe player to a devoted husband and father. Over12 seasons ofThe Big Bang Theory, the show slowly introduced new female characters who became fan-favorites, a difficult feat for any sitcom. These are 10 episodes that showcaseThe Big Bang Theorycastchemistry, sure to make you fall in love with Sheldon and his friends.
10The Bath Item Gift Hypothesis (season 2, episode 11)
Sheldon’s Reaction To Penny’s Gift Helps Us Understand Him
When Penny gets Sheldon a gift for Christmas, he calls gift-giving “an obligation,” stressing over how to reciprocate with an appropriate gift.This helped me understand how Sheldon thinks, in a way, he’s right about how delicate it can be to pick out the right present. However, when Penny gives him a napkin signed and used by Leonard Nimoy, the actor famous for portraying Mr. Spock, Sheldon showers her with dozens of gift baskets. It’s still not enough to convey his gratitude, so he gives Penny a hug, a rare instance of him initiating physical contact.
8 Best TV Shows Starring The Cast Of The Big Bang Theory
The actors from The Big Bang Theory played beloved characters for 12 seasons, but they also starred in other incredible TV shows before & after it.
Penny and Sheldon are one of the most unlikely but heartwarming friendships inThe Big Bang Theory, and this episode is an early example of how Penny gets him even when she doesn’t necessarily understand him. The episode also opens with a classicBig Bang Theorytheoretical discussion:how does Superman clean Kryptonian sweat off his super suit?
9The Adhesive Duck Deficiency (season 3, episode 8)
Sheldon And Penny’s Friendship Is Highlighted
In one ofSheldon’s best episodes ofThe Big Bang Theory, Penny dislocates her shoulder in the shower, and Sheldon is the only one she can turn to for help. They are both out of their comfort zones, but have to rely on each other.They are two of the least similar characters inThe Big Bang Theory: Sheldon is flummoxed she doesn’t have an assigned underwear rotation,and Penny is in pain but still waits for Sheldon to find an appropriately cute outfit for her.
Watching Penny and Sheldon sing “Soft Kitty” as a round with Penny in a sling and hopped up on pain medications is such a sweet moment that is unique to their friendship.
At the emergency room, Penny asks Sheldon to take a break from being himself to be more “comforting,” and he does his best for Penny’s sake.Watching Penny and Sheldon sing “Soft Kitty” as a round with Penny in a sling and hopped up on pain medications is such a sweet moment that is unique to their friendship.
8The Einstein Approximation (season 3, episode 14)
Sheldon’s Quirks Shine In A New Work Setting
Sheldon is stuck, unable to find the breakthrough he needs in his research, and he keeps trying increasingly unhinged tactics to trick his brain into seeing a solution. This episode showcasesParsons’ incredible physical comedywhen Leonard is trying to capture Sheldon in a children’s ball pit.
In the end, Sheldon takes the most menial job he can find, so, like Einstein, the right parts of his brain are free to wander while he works - and surprisingly, he does have his breakthrough after dropping a stack of dishes at The Cheesecake Factory. This episode is also an early example of how Howard is also in an ersatz relationship with Raj.We don’t see Howard’s double date with Bernadette, but we do see him roller disco skating with Raj in the episode’s hysterical button.
7The Robotic Manipulation (season 4, episode 1)
Howard Shows You’re Never Too Smart To Be Dumb
“The Robotic Manipulation” is a perfect encapsulation of howThe Big Bang Theorycombined high-tech problems and lowbrow humor. Howard brings home a NASA robot arm and realizes it can be used for personal reasons, but he gets stuck in its grip. When an intake nurse at the ER suggests turning off the laptop powering the arm, Howard dismisses it as a more complicated problem, but it works immediately.
This is one of the more palatable Howard problems in the early seasons, as at least no human woman was involved this time.
This episode also marks the beginning of Amy and Penny’s friendship, when the latter becomes the de facto chaperone on the former’s first date with Sheldon in one ofThe Big Bang Theory’s best episodes. However, this is well beforeThe Big Bang Theoryreally rounded out Amy’s personality, as in this episode she is mostly a female Sheldon. In time, Amy will become obsessed with Penny, but not at their first meeting.
6The 21-Second Excitation (season 4, episode 8)
Sheldon’s Rivalry With Wil Wheaton Deepens
The Big Bang Theoryguys are in line for a special extended cut ofRaiders of the Lost Ark, and Sheldon is irate at Wil Wheaton’s celebrity treatment, since he is aStar Trekactor not anIndiana Jonescast member. In a rare moment of action, Sheldon goes rogue at the injustice of not getting into the screening and steals the film reels. This episode is a great example ofThe Big Bang Theorycameos of actors playing versions of themselves, like Stephen Hawking or George Takei.
This is also the first time the three women, Penny, Bernadette, and Amy, hang out as a trio.Their impromptu sleepover — Amy’s first — shows how well Bernadette is a bridge between Amy and Penny, understanding Amy’s quoting of Chaucer and Penny’s pop culture references. Amy is starting to differentiate herself from being just a female Sheldon, as she wants to be one of the girls in a way Sheldon has never wanted to be just one of the guys.
5The Contractual Obligation Implementation (season 6, episode 18)
The Girls Prove They Can Be Pretty And Smart
The girls decide to play hooky to spend the day at Disney, making this one of the rareBig Bang Theoryepisodes to take advantage of their Pasadena setting.Howard’s wife suggests they get makeovers as Disney princesses, and in a quintessential Bernadette move, calls dibs on Cinderella in a way that is cute but threatening. Episodes where the girls go on their own adventure were always among my favorites.
…we get to see the hysterically different ways Leonard, Howard, and Sheldon respond to seeing their significant others dolled up as princesses.
This overlaps with the boys’ storyline. Leonard is passionate about convincing middle school girls to pursue hard sciences, but Sheldon is the one who thinks to get Amy and Bernadette, female scientists the girls will be able to relate to, on the phone. In the episode’s button, we get to see the hysterically different ways Leonard, Howard, and Sheldon respond to seeing their significant others dolled up as princesses.
4The Love Spell Potential (season 6, episode 23)
Howard Gets To Show Off His Impressions As Dungeon Master
Howard gets to show off his incredible impressions as Dungeon Master, finding ways to work Nicolas Cage, Al Pacino, and Christopher Walken voices into various fantasy creatures.Even Sheldon, who was skeptical of giving Howard a chance as DM, is impressed. The girls were supposed to be in Vegas, but Penny finds a way to bring Vegas into Dungeons and Dragons, including alcoholic “potions” and blowing the dice for luck. This episode captures the fun theBig Bang Theorygroup has when they hang out together.
I Traced The Big Bang Theory’s Major Character Change To This Specific Episode
After careful rewatches, I’ve worked out when The Big Bang Theory’s major Howard character shift happened, and it is a lot later than you’d expect.
Bernadette casts a love spell on Sheldon and Amy’s characters, and at first Amy is upset, feeling like everyone sees their relationship as fantasy. In a moment of vulnerability, Amy broaches the topic of a physical relationship with Sheldon, who admits his feelings for Amy make him consider things he previously hadn’t. Sheldon finds a way to turn D&D into a romantasy adventure, which is just what Amy needed.
3The Scavenger Vortex (season 7, episode 3)
A Scavenger Hunt Creates Unusual Pairings
Raj organizes a scavenger hunt, and teams of two are drawn out of a hat. No one will say it out loud, but everyone assumes Penny is the weak link.This device pairs up people who don’t normally spend time together, which creates hilarious new dynamics.Amy and Howard in particular lampshade the fact they haven’t spent time alone together, and they bond over their love of Neil Diamond, even dubbing their car the “Neil Mobile.” Penny also gets a moment to shine, using a different knowledge base to figure out a clue before Sheldon.
This episode includes some ofThe Big Bang Theory’s running gags, like the gang referring to Princeton, Leonard’s Ivy League alma mater, not a good school.Stuart is also in the episode, bemoaning the fact that he is once again left out, which is a great primer forStuart’s upcomingBig Bang Theoryspin-off series.
2The Romance Resonance (season 7, episode 6)
Howard’s Musical Tribute Demonstrates His Growth
The Big Bang Theory’s most romantic episodehighlights Howard’s arc from a selfish creep to a devoted husband. He writes a song for Bernadette and has the group serenade her. This causes Penny to worry she can’t be romantic without relying on her sexuality. However, she reveals she has saved mementos from every stage of her relationship with Leonard — the plane ticket he bought her when she was too poor to go home, the eleven-page letter he wrote her after the first time they slept together, proving he has always been important to her, which is effortlessly romantic.
Even Sheldon and Amy have their own version of a romantic moment. Sheldon discovers a new element based on misreading a chart, which makes it luck rather than skill. Everyone congratulates him until Amy sees what he really needs, and tells him she is not proud of his accidental discovery, which Sheldon says is the most romantic thing anyone has ever said to him.
1The Opening Night Excitation (season 9, episode 11)
Sheldon Considers A Major Step With Amy
Sheldon’s growth reaches a major milestone in this episode. Sheldon not only prioritizes Amy’s happiness over his own when he forgoes seeing the newStar Warsmovie to spend her birthday with her, but he decides he is ready to have sex for the first time as a birthday present. The build-up between Sheldon and Amy is awkward but sincere, and it’s a meaningful moment for them and the audience.The Big Bang Theorygives them the dignity of making it a satisfying night for both of them.
This episode perfectly blends humor and heart, with Sheldon getting advice from an imagined Professor Proton dressed as a Jedi.Leonard gives Wil Wheaton Sheldon’s unused ticket, and he shows up in hisStar Trekuniform. It also hysterically cuts from a satisfied post-coital Amy to the satisfied post-movie boys.
