The Big Bang Theory Season 11, episode 21 recap
By John Dotson
Sheldon makes Amy jealous, a war breaks out over a comet, and Neil Gaiman is recognized by no one. All this and more on this week’s Big Bang Theory!
Last week on the Big Bang Theory, Sheldon and Amy had what could only be considered unconventional Bachelor/Bachelorette parties. Sheldon got a letter written in code in the mail leading him to a cabin in the woods where a reclusive and slightly scary scientist lives. Amy forces the guys to go along to keep an eye on him.
Meanwhile, Penny and Bernadette throw Amy a “Quilting Bee” themed bachelorette party until she throws a fit and tells them she had wanted her night to be one of “bad decisions.” They proceed to take Amy to a bar where she falls asleep within 20 minutes. Never fear! Bernadette and Penny weave a tale of strippers and river dancing that reassured Amy she did have a good bachelorette party even if she doesn’t remember.
Here is what happened on this week’s episode!
Star Gazing, Neil Gaiman, and Stuart
This week’s episode begins with the gang on the roof getting ready to look at the stars, and a supposedly great view of Mercury while Amy checks the ledge for pigeons for Sheldon. Meanwhile, Stuart fangirls when Neil Gaiman tweets about his comic book store, encouraging his followers to check it out because “the owner really knows his stuff.”
The show flashes back to two days before at the comic book store while the guys argue over which comic book hero has the most powerful weapon. Someone walks in and argues that “Thor’s Hammer” is the most powerful weapon, to which they scoff and ardently disagree. Imagine their disappointment to the realization that Neil Gaiman came in and “they weren’t even there.” The viewer is let in on the joke though when the show points out that Neil Gaiman was the someone who thought Thor’s Hammer was the most powerful weapon.
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A Comet, Twitter, and Patton Oswalt’s Brother
Meanwhile, when Penny insists that she sees “something fuzzy” Howard jokingly cracks that it must be her “teen years.” Raj believes it may be a comet. Stuart is just excited because he is now “in the double digits with Twitter followers and got retweeted by Patton Oswalt’s brother.”
Business at the comic book store explodes thanks to Neil Gaiman’s tweet, and Stuart takes advantage of his new notoriety by pretending lots of famous people shop there. Sheldon is disappointed by the store’s new business and says he misses the way it was before, “perfect…like a funeral home that sells Pokemon cards.” When Stuart encourages Sheldon to just sit on the couch Sheldon replies, “If I am going to sit, read, and ignore a woman it’s going to be my fiance.”
Even though Sheldon insists he is going to be okay with all the changes, later in the episode he runs out of the comic book store when confronted with the new assistant manager Denise who Stuart hired. When Sheldon complains to Amy she tries to understand, but she also wants Sheldon to be happy for Stuart, and try to befriend the new employee. Sheldon feels like he has lost his version of Wakanda. In spite of himself, Sheldon likes the new assistant manager, even though he is jealous. Gaiman makes another cameo while Sheldon and the new manager are mid-conversation. Once again, Sheldon doesn’t notice. As Sheldon and Amy have dinner that evening, Amy is the jealous one when Sheldon can’t stop talking about the new girl working for Stuart at the comic book store.
Raj and Penny Arguing Over the Sky
Picture everyone’s surprise when the “something fuzzy” that Penny saw actually was a comet – and one that no one has seen before! Raj takes objection to the fact that Penny thinks she discovered the comet and argues that “it was his telescope that he positioned.” When Leonard points out that they can put both of their names on the registration form, Raj admits he has already submitted the form in only his name. Raj crosses the line when he compares Penny to a monkey. Penny then throws him out of the apartment.
No Reservations
Bernadette is proud to fit into a dress she wore before she was pregnant, but disappointed when Stuart doesn’t show up to babysit so that she and Howard can go out on a date! Stuart says the comic book store has been so busy he just forgot. Howard stays home while Bernadette goes to dinner by herself. Toward the end of the episode, Bernadette comes home to a romantic dinner prepared by Howard. When Stuart gets off early, Howard and Bernadette ditch their “stay at home” dinner plans, and have Stuart watch the kids.
What Google Has To Say
Penny decides to google how to decide who discovered something, and says that Google says “she took the picture so it’s her discovery.” Penny says getting credit for this discovery is important to her because no one ever believes she has good ideas, or that she knows what she is talking about. She is even more hurt when Leonard refuses to take a side.
Leonard goes to Raj and asks him to please add Penny’s name to the registry but he doesn’t want to because the discovery has made him really popular at work. He also feels like he is a “bad scientist” because he hasn’t had any new discoveries lately. Leonard encourages Penny to go talk to Raj herself when he realizes she needs to hear his side, and she is “a strong woman who can fight her own battles.” Raj apologizes and agrees to put Penny’s name on the registration.
Next: How to watch The Big Bang Theory season 11 episode 21 live online
Final Thoughts
This week’s episode was so full of nerdy pop culture references I am not even sure I caught them all, but it sure was fun to try! I am ready for some happy development in Raj’s life, he kind of seems depressed to me. But I sure am thrilled to see Sheldon and Amy’s relationship just get better and more real with every episode.
The Big Bang Theory airs Thursdays on CBS at 8:00 pm EST.
Will Sheldon be able to handle all of the changes at the comic book store? Could Stuart possibly have a romance with Denise? Could Raj use this comet as a breakthrough in his career? Tune in next week to find out!