The ten Greatest Episodes Of The Massive Bang Principle Ranked

Listed here are some chilly arduous information: “The Massive Bang Principle,” the CBS sitcom created by Chuck Lorre and Invoice Prady, ran for 12 years, the identical variety of seasons, and an unbelievable 279 episodes. After it kicked off in 2007, the present nearly floundered throughout its first season however was improbably saved, in a manner, by the writers’ strike that came about till 2008; after that, the collection was an unquestionable and plain success. Stars Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Melissa Rauch, and Mayim Bialik — who play Sheldon Cooper, Leonard Hofstadter, Penny, Howard Wolowitz, Raj Koothrappali, Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz, and Amy Farrah Fowler, respectively — have been all skyrocketed to fame and acclaim, and Parsons even took house a handful of Emmys for his main function. With all of this context in thoughts, it may be arduous to winnow down the “greatest” episodes of “The Massive Bang Principle,” partly due to the sheer quantity and partly as a result of, nicely, what makes an episode “the very best?”

For this checklist, I’ve compiled among the outright funniest episodes of “The Massive Bang Principle,” in addition to these with among the present’s extra emotional beats; even individuals on the lookout for an easy-to-digest sitcom should admit that, to ensure that it to remain attention-grabbing for 12 total seasons, the characters should evolve and develop. Now that the parameters are set, listed here are the ten greatest episodes of “The Massive Bang Principle,” ranked.

Ever marvel why Leonard, Howard, and Raj even deign to hang around with Sheldon, a notoriously cussed, finicky man who panics if somebody a lot as takes his “common spot” on the sofa? In season 3, we lastly get an evidence within the episode “The Staircase Implementation,” an episode the place, throughout a combat with Sheldon, Leonard sits down and tells Penny their friendship origin story. Within the course of, we additionally study why the elevator in Sheldon, Leonard, and Penny’s constructing is seemingly completely damaged — and, unsurprisingly, it is Leonard’s fault.

All through flashbacks — which characteristic Sheldon, Leonard, Howard, and Raj in some fairly wild getups that appear to return from the Nineteen Nineties regardless of stated flashbacks being set in 2003 — we see that Sheldon could not preserve a roommate on account of being extremely annoying. (On his manner out, the final man, performed by Steven Yeun, scrawls “DIE SHELDON DIE” on a wall in crimson paint, simply to offer you an concept of his mindset.) Out of desperation, Leonard, who’s new to the California Institute of Expertise, agrees to reside in Sheldon’s spare room and even agrees to Sheldon’s genuinely absurd “roommate settlement,” and ultimately, he warms to Sheldon. Why? Properly, Sheldon chases Leonard’s girlfriend Joyce Kim (Ally Maki) out of the condo, and later, she seems to be a North Korean spy. Between that and the truth that, whereas Howard and Leonard are taking part in with a flamable rocket, Sheldon saves their lives by tossing the rocket into the elevator shaft and shuts the door, their friendships are settled. “The Staircase Implementation” does an ideal job of offering backstory with out overloading the viewers, and the elevator rationalization is … really fairly humorous.

“The Bakersfield Expedition,” which takes place partway by means of season 6 of “The Massive Bang Principle,” might be most well-known for the boys’ storyline, the place Sheldon, Leonard, Howard, and Raj find yourself stranded within the desert wearing extremely real looking “Star Trek” costumes. This occurs whereas they’re heading to Bakersfield, California, for the town’s Comedian-Con, which Sheldon says is all about comedian e-book lore (versus the larger and extra well-known San Diego Comedian-Con, which Sheldon claims “went all Hollywood,” and he is not totally mistaken in that evaluation). On the best way to the conference, the blokes get out of their automobile to take a photograph of their elaborate costumes, at which level somebody steals the automobile as a result of Leonard left the important thing within the ignition. This, in flip, forces them to hitchhike since their clothes and cell telephones have been additionally within the automobile.

Nonetheless, I would argue the true magic of “The Bakersfield Expedition” is the women’ plotline. With the boys out of city, Penny, Amy, and Bernadette go and get brunch collectively — however partway by means of stated brunch, they understand that possibly they’re all not less than a bit of interested by why the blokes love comedian books a lot and determine to offer it a strive themselves. After they trigger a stir at Stuart Bloom’s (Kevin Sussman) Pasadena comedian e-book retailer, which Sheldon, Leonard, Howard, and Raj usually frequent, the women take their new treasures house and have a large “debate” over who’s sturdy sufficient to hold Thor’s hammer Mjolnir. Whereas this sudden curiosity in comedian books does not come again into play, it is enjoyable to observe Amy, Penny, and Bernadette have an journey of their very own and attempt to study extra concerning the bizarre guys they love within the course of.

One thing that is going as much as come up on this checklist greater than as soon as is that, in my estimation, Leonard and Penny aren’t the central relationship on “The Massive Bang Principle.” The title does not belong to Howard and Bernadette or Sheldon and Amy, both. No, the very best relationship on “The Massive Bang Principle” shouldn’t be romantic — it is Sheldon and Penny, two polar opposites who, all through the collection, turn out to be genuinely shut pals.

The friendship between Sheldon and Penny builds over a lot of time — and episodes like “The Work Music Nanocluster,” the place Sheldon helps Penny launch a small hair accent enterprise, or “The Adhesive Duck Deficiency,” the place Sheldon helps Penny after she slips and falls within the bathe, barely missed the reduce for this checklist. As an alternative, I went with “The Tub Merchandise Reward Speculation” for the eighth spot on this rundown, as a result of not solely does it show simply how nicely Penny understands Sheldon, however it’s additionally a fan favourite (and, not for nothing, Kaley Cuoco’s favourite episode of the collection). On this episode, Penny will get Sheldon a Christmas reward, sending the man right into a tailspin; he units out to purchase her a present basket stuffed with luxurious tub gadgets so that after he figures out the monetary worth of her reward, he can return sufficient gadgets to make the 2 utterly even. (Candy, proper?) One of the best second of the episode comes after we study that Penny’s reward to Sheldon is a serviette used and signed by Leonard Nimoy himself, which Sheldon, clearly, loves, so she will get an enormous reward basket and a hug from Sheldon, which is a fairly uncommon incidence. Penny knew precisely what Sheldon would love and proved it, making this a superb and vital origin episode for her friendship with Sheldon.

Neil Armstrong as soon as described his journey to house as “one small step for a person, one large leap for mankind” — however Howard Wolowitz really marrying the lady of his goals is his personal model of an enormous leap. Within the season 5 finale of “The Massive Bang Principle,” Howard and Bernadette lastly tie the knot simply earlier than he heads out on a daring house mission with NASA, and, frankly, it is arduous to inform which factor brings Howard extra pleasure. (I am kidding; it is undoubtedly Bernadette.) “The Countdown Reflection” is a cool experiment for this usually simple sitcom as well, combining Howard’s house launch with reminiscences of his nuptials, throughout which he and Bernadette have been surrounded by pals and family members on the rooftop of Penny, Leonard, and Sheldon’s constructing. They select this particular spot for his or her wedding ceremony for a couple of causes. First, after ready to get married at Metropolis Corridor earlier than Howard’s departure, the workplace closes whereas the lovebirds are nonetheless in line. That is when Raj and Leonard understand that in the event that they maintain the impromptu wedding ceremony on the roof, they’ll place it in order that Google Maps satellites catch the ceremony as they move over and provides Howard and Bernadette a marriage photograph that is taken from house.

Throw in a subplot the place Amy, Penny, Sheldon, Raj, and Leonard all get ordained to marry their pals — in addition to an unexpectedly candy ending the place everybody however Howard watches his rocket launch and even Sheldon will get form of emotional — and “The Countdown Reflection” is not only a welcome departure (sorry) for the construction of “The Massive Bang Principle,” however it’s additionally one of many present’s best-ever episodes.

Typically, an episode of “The Massive Bang Principle” does not should reinvent the wheel or include any big emotional revelations to be nice; it could possibly simply be humorous and, maybe as a pleasant bonus, spawn a long-running meme. Penny, discovering herself at a low level in life (she’s not reserving appearing roles, breaks her automobile key attempting to make use of it to get into her condo, and swallows a fly simply strolling up the steps of her condo constructing), is unexpectedly consoled by Sheldon, who invitations her into his condo, just for her to note the pc sport he is taking part in. The sport in query, the very actual multiplayer hit “Age of Conan,” finally ends up ruining Penny’s life, if just for a short time.

All through “The Barbarian Simulation,” Penny will get manner too into “Age of Conan,” which additionally screws up Sheldon’s cautious routine (and sleep habits) as a result of she begins calling him in any respect hours of the day and night time to ask for recommendation on her playthrough. (When Leonard tries to intervene, he does so by means of the sport itself, and Penny’s character chops his character’s head off.) It is solely when she’s almost seduced by Howard’s “Age of Conan” character that Penny snaps out of her stupor, however all in all, it is a actually humorous episode — and that image of Penny, wanting like a complete mess with meals on her face and her laptop computer in her lap, created an ideal meme as well.

“The Romance Resonance,” which comes fairly early in season 7 of “The Massive Bang Principle,” options one in all Howard’s all-time sweetest moments and gestures … and additionally lets Amy and Sheldon transfer issues ahead just a bit bit in their very own romantic journey. Howard is happy to jot down a track for Bernadette celebrating the anniversary of their very first date, however when she finally ends up quarantined in her lab after an accident, the gang has to recalibrate. As an alternative of performing his track for her in a personal eating room like he deliberate, Howard and the gang carry devices to the window of her lab, the place Howard sings a bit of ditty known as “If I Did not Have You.” (Lyrics embody witty bon mots like “Ever since I met you / You turned my world round. / You supported all my goals and all my hopes. / You are like Uranium 235 and I am Uranium 238 / Virtually inseparable isotopes.”)

Elsewhere, Amy realizes that Sheldon made a mistake in his work that really led to a breakthrough, and though Sheldon holds himself accountable for the truth that he looks like a “fraud,” it finally ends up bringing Amy and Sheldon just a bit nearer. As for Penny and Leonard, they attempt to decide on some outlandish gestures to have a good time their relationship … till Penny reveals that she retains a field of trinkets and reminders of why she loves Leonard, cementing their affection for one another. “The Romance Resonance” presents all the central {couples} in “The Massive Bang Principle” on their greatest conduct … and for what it is price, Howard’s track is fairly catchy.

In season 9 of “The Massive Bang Principle,” Amy decides to attempt to throw Sheldon a “shock” celebration … and when it predictably sends him into a whole panic, just one individual within the central gang can really speak him off the ledge. “The Celebration Experimentation,” which occurs to be the 2 hundredth episode of “The Massive Bang Principle,” opens as Amy wonders why Sheldon by no means needs to have a good time his birthday; because it seems, it is as a result of when he celebrated his birthday along with his twin sister as a toddler, he was often dissatisfied, culminating in a life-shattering occasion at his sixth celebration the place Batman did not present up as “promised.” Sheldon is ultimately talked into having a celebration, however when he arrives and sees that Amy invited a shock visitor within the type of Adam West (who needs “Sherman” a cheerful birthday), he cannot deal with it. (Wil Wheaton, Sheldon’s in-universe nemesis who performs a darkish model of himself, is additionally current, which in all probability does not assist.)

Sheldon flees into the toilet, and after Amy and Leonard briefly argue over which one in all them will go and fetch him, Penny stops them each — and Sheldon permits her to affix him. The 2 have a legitimately heartfelt speak sitting on the sting of the tub, the place Penny admits that she in all probability would have bullied him in highschool and is ashamed of that truth, saying that he is one in all her “favourite individuals.” She additionally tells Sheldon that they’ll spend the complete occasion within the rest room if that is what he needs. Ultimately, although, Sheldon decides to rejoin the festivities, and it is all because of Penny, which is why this episode is so good; whereas Amy is the one to throw the occasion and discover an precise Batman to affix them, Penny is the one who offers the emotional assist Sheldon sorely wants.

Ask most followers of “The Massive Bang Principle” concerning the season 9 episode “The Opening Evening Excitation,” they usually’ll inform you it is “the one the place Sheldon and Amy lastly have intercourse.” Whereas that is completely true, that is not the entirety of the installment. It is really centered across the launch of “Star Wars: Episode VII — The Power Awakens” (although, within the years because the “Star Wars” sequel trilogy concluded, it feels nearly silly to see this degree of pleasure onscreen). Howard will get tickets to opening night time, however there’s one downside: After a break-up, Sheldon and Amy have rekindled their relationship, and her birthday occurs to be the identical day that “The Power Awakens” comes out.

Because of a dream that includes Bob Newhart as his recurring “Massive Bang Principle” character Arthur Jeffries (also called Professor Proton), Sheldon decides to make the last word sacrifice and stays house with Amy for her birthday, and, sure, the 2 lastly have what Sheldon all the time refers to as “coitus.” The episode’s finale, which reveals Sheldon gasping in pleasure alongside Leonard, Howard, and Raj doing the identical factor after “The Power Awakens,” remains to be one of many funniest gags the present’s ever pulled off, and all in all, it is a phenomenal half-hour of “The Massive Bang Principle.”

You may’t make an inventory of the very best “Massive Bang Principle” episodes and not embody the collection finale, “The Stockholm Syndrome.” Within the buildup to the present’s final ever episode, Amy and Sheldon discover out that they are set to obtain the Nobel Prize in physics for his or her work in tremendous asymmetry, the constructing’s elevator lastly will get mounted, and Amy will get a makeover that shakes Sheldon to his very core … and within the finale itself, the entire gang travels to Sweden for the Nobel ceremony. Sadly, Sheldon is being his typical petulant and troublesome self; after discovering out Penny is pregnant on the flight over, he tells everybody (he was afraid she was merely sick and is relieved that he will not get a abdomen bug), infuriating Leonard and Penny, and he additionally manages to alienate Howard and Bernadette as nicely. (They think about going house upon discovering out one in all their children sustained a minor harm, and Sheldon is way from supportive.)

Amy angrily tells Sheldon that he damage his pals, however after they stick round for the ceremony, they’re stunned when Sheldon makes use of his speech to increase real, heartfelt gratitude to Amy and all of his pals. Within the finale’s final moments, the entire gang gathers in what’s now Leonard and Penny’s front room to eat dinner, with just one distinction: Amy and Sheldon proudly put on their Nobel medals. It is a becoming, good ending … Penny’s shock being pregnant however.

One of the best episode of “The Massive Bang Principle” is additionally one which was actually enjoyable for the forged to movie, and that is not a coincidence. The truth that all the lead actors had a blast making season 7’s “The Scavenger Vortex” reveals, which makes it such an ideal half-hour of TV. The important thing to what makes “The Scavenger Vortex” work so nicely is not simply that everybody concerned is having such a superb time, although — it is as a result of the present pairs up characters in numerous preparations, giving the viewers brand-new dynamics after seven seasons on the air.

Raj, who’s damage in any case of his pals blew off a homicide thriller dinner he deliberate, insists that all of them take part in a scavenger hunt of his design, inserting them into three groups after deciding not to pair up {couples} and drawing names from a hat. Penny finally ends up with Sheldon, Amy and Howard play collectively, and Bernadette and Leonard make up the ultimate duo. Whereas we all know that Penny and Sheldon have an ideal rapport, it is all the time enjoyable to see them get tremendous aggressive. In the meantime, Amy and Howard find yourself bonding over their shared love of Neil Diamond’s physique of labor, singing his songs all through their makes an attempt to resolve Raj’s puzzles (they even make a pit cease to carry out some karaoke). As for Bernadette and Leonard, Leonard finds himself a bit cowed by how hyper-competitive Bernadette seems to be. Raj does not present a prize to the eventual winners, making everyone mad — as an alternative, he snuck gold cash into everybody’s pockets earlier than the sport began, making them “all” winners — however the lead-up to this reveal is phenomenal, making “The Scavenger Vortex” the very best episode of “The Massive Bang Principle.”

All of “The Massive Bang Principle” is offered to stream on HBO Max now.