The Big Bang Theory: The Bath Item Gift Hypothesis

(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