'The Big Bang Theory': The Physics Bowl

I suppose they can't all be winners. That was part of the message in The Big Bang Theory tonight. But really, who doesn't win with a discussion of pon farr?

Of course, they might have taken it too far when they brought up Vulcan masturbatory technique and brought up the publication Pointy Ears & Shapely Rears.  But I don't think so.

This discussion comes about because Howard is reading Sci Fi updates online (rumor is, it was Misfits of Sci-Fi. I know, crazy, right?!) and finds out that Spock's birth might be depicted in the new Star Trek movie.  From there he moves to local sci-fi news (a stretch, to be sure, but what obvious plot devices aren't?) and finds out that the team that usually goes to the Physics Bowl is sitting out this year in favor of taking a barbershop singing gig at Knott's Berry Farm. Which...yeah.

The guys decide to put together their collective IQs and join up as a team themselves. Well, Sheldon takes some convincing but when they point out how the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few...or the needs of the one...well,resistance is futile! But, like we learned last week, Sheldon is incredibly annoying. And when Sheldon won't let any of the others answer any of the questions, they remember how annoying he is too. And it doesn't take them long to kick him off their team.

Of course, Sheldon can't handle rejection without retaliation, so he decides to create his own team and go head to head against Leonard, Howard and Rajesh, who need to find a new fourth member.  Rajesh suggests TV's Blossom or the girl from The Wonder Years, having heard they are each really smart. But in the end they have to ask someone more within their immediate social circle; Leslie Winkle. It's awkward for Leonard, given their history, but she vows that the what happens in the bedroom, stays in the bedroom.

But Leonard's sexual idiosyncrasies and performance issues aside, she declines to join up since she's so busy with her own research. At least that is her story until she finds out Sheldon is their ultimate opponent. Apparently, he once told her to give up her work in favor of laundry duties and child bearing and she's hated him ever since. In other words, it's about the be brought.

Sheldon has assembled his own team as well, consisting of the third floor janitor, the lunch room lady and a guy who is either her son or her butcher. He's unsure because he doesn't speak Spanish, you see. but this is simply proof that Sheldon feels certain his intellect alone can win the race. Which is, of course, not the case. It never is. Pride before the fall and all that. The teams are neck and neck until the final question, where Leonard's team is ahead by 50 points. But the last question is worth 100 points. The equation that flashes on the screen is beyond all their capabilities...except the third floor janitor. Who just happens to be a Soviet defector who was previously a physicist. However, Sheldon is too stubborn to give up his solo win and forfeits the answer by refusing to make it official. As such, Leonard's team wins, leading Howard to tear off his Perpetual Motion Squad (PMS: They can go all night!) t-shirt to reveal a dickie. Which is traumatizing.

The end segment is a combination of Leonard flaunting his trophy and Penny trying to show them how little they each know about common trivia. A pursuit that is proven useless, as they guys have already gone back to looking for all of life's social answers by way of Star Trek.

The Good:
The return of Sara Gilbert as Leslie Winkle. Rajesh slipping and speaking in front of Penny, causing him to slap his hands over his own mouth in shock.

The Bad:
Aforementioned obvious plot point.

The Funny:
Howard: Don't you think I should at least answer the engineering questions? I am an engineer.
Sheldon: By that logic I should answer all the anthropology questions because I am a mammal.

Penny: What did he say?
Howard: He compared Sheldon to a disposable feminine hygiene product that one might use on a summer's eve.
Penny: And the bag it came in.

Leslie: Leonard, it's not going to work. If you rush me, I'm never going to get there (In reference to the equation).
Leonard: You are never going to let that go, are you? (Not in reference to the equation).

Penny: Tweety Bird 'tawt he 'taw a what?
Sheldon: A Romulan?

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