The Big Bang Theory season 11 finale recap
By John Dotson
This week on The Big Bang Theory, Sheldon and Amy finally get hitched! Find out what happened at the highly anticipated Cooper wedding!
Last week on The Big Bang Theory, Sheldon and his brother were able to put differences aside so he could have all his family be in attendance to see him marry Amy. This week, everything finally paid off. Amy and Sheldon tied the knot, and the big event had a massive surprise. For now, we are going to save that spoiler for the recap but until then, let’s get down to business!
Here is what happened on the latest episode of The Big Bang Theory!
Setting things up
The episode opens with Penny trying to lay out the game plan to the crew before things begin. She explains that a lot needs to be done, parents are flying in, etc. She summons Raj to drive Sheldon’s mom and sister from the airport, and Penny herself plans to grab Amy’s mom and dad. In this sequence, they make comparisons to their crew needing to be like the Avengers, to which Amy quips they are more like “the fellowship” from Lord of the Rings, and her mother is the big flaming evil eye.
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The next day, things go semi-smoothly. Raj picks up Sheldon’s mom and his pregnant sister. Sheldon’s mom makes a slightly judgemental Indian observation to Raj, and he does not get offended. We also discover that Sheldon’s pregnant sister is now single– which humorously gets Raj’s attention.
Penny picks up Amy’s parents–played by Kathy Bates and Teller (of Penn and Teller)–and her mom is a nightmare just as Amy says. Even funnier, she doesn’t let her husband speak at all, which is fitting considering Teller’s persona.
Back at the Cooper residence, Sheldon is trying to make his bow tie straight. Amy responds that a little asymmetry isn’t bad, which plants a seed in Sheldon’s head that eventually pays off later. We also find out Will Wheaton is officiating the wedding…or is he?
Raj and Penny return to the building with their respective guests, and everyone gets re-acquainted. Not much to unpack here except the parents share some awkward stories about the bride and groom. Amy was not allowed to participate in school plays and Sheldon’s brother assists Amy with trying to make Sheldon do a Southern accent.
Surprise…It’s Luke Skywalker
The show transitions to Howard who has found a lost dog. Bernadette says he can’t keep it, to which he explains he already called the owner. Soon after, we hear a knock on the door. When Howard opens it, there stands Mark Hamill himself. Howard is so overwhelmed, he has to shut the door to contain his excitement before responding.
Mark Hamill explains how the dog means the world to him and that he will do anything to pay him back for finding his dog.
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Howard’s response was, “Oh, you’re gonna regret that.”
We then cut to the comic shop and Stuart awkwardly tries to ask Denise from the shop to be his date to Sheldon and Amy’s wedding. She seems rather hesitant and appears to be ready to turn him down. Before she can refuse though, Howard runs into the shop and announces Mark Hamill is officiating the wedding. Denise immediately changes her stance and agrees to be Stuart’s date.
Asymmetrical String Theory
While the proceedings of the wedding are being put together, Sheldon’s mom comes to talk with her son privately. In this touching moment, she conveys how proud she is of her son, and then she goes to fix his tie. He stops her and says he thinks it’s better with the tie being crooked. She responds by saying, “sometimes it’s the imperfect stuff that makes things perfect.”
Sheldon has a light bulb moment and says he needs to go. He runs into the bridal room, he sees Amy and exclaims he thinks he may have come up with a way to solve String Theory. He believes to make it work, it needs a dose of imperfection. They both go into full-blown scientist mode and pause getting ready to write out the formula.
With the guests still waiting, Leonard goes to check on what the hold up is. When he enters, he also gets pushed into scientist mode and gets involved.
Penny now frustrated storms into the room demanding to know what’s causing the delay. She is baffled that they are working on String Theory when they are about to be married. Sheldon agreeing says, “she’s right, we have our whole lives to work on science.” Then, they all storm out to get Sheldon and Amy married.
I now pronounce you man and wife!
Sheldon is overwhelmed with shock when he realizes Howard got Mark Hamill to officiate their wedding and stutters to Leonard for a moment. He tells Hamill “As soon as this is over I have 4,000 things for you to sign.”
Amy’s vows make Hamill cry when she explains that a study she participated in disproving love at first sight was wrong and she knew that the moment she met Sheldon. Sheldon’s vows are short, sweet and to the point because he feels too overwhelmed for words. They quickly say their “I Dos” and Barry Kripke sings “At Last” while they walk down the aisle, fulfilling a promise made in “The Athenaeum Allocation” that if Kripke would give them his reservation at the Athenaeum he could sing at the wedding.
Next: How to watch The Big Bang Theory season 11 finale
Final thoughts
This episode was everything loyal followers of The Big Bang Theory could have hoped it to be. There was a little bit of science, a whole lot of laughter, and some tears. What happens now? Will Sheldon and Amy have kids? Will Leonard and Penny? What happens to Raj? After the success of the spinoff Young Sheldon perhaps the creators have a new way to spin The Big Bang Theory that will keep viewers invested!
The Big Bang Theory airs Thursdays on CBS at 8/7c and will return very soon.
What did you think of the finale? Did you enjoy Sheldon and Amy’s wedding? Let us know in the comments below!