The Big Bang Theory ran for 12 seasons and a complete of 279 episodes and has spawned two spinoff exhibits up to now, which makes for lots of tv to observe. The unique sequence follows Sheldon (Jim Parsons) and Leonard (Johnny Galicki), two physicists, and their associates by sitcom antics seen by their extra educational lens. That features them assembly and befriending the lady throughout the corridor of their residence constructing, Penny (Kaley Cuoco).
Watching all 12 seasons of The Massive Bang Principle could be a daunting job for these used to binge-watching quick seasons of TV. Over the course of these 12 seasons, the sequence spotlighted the group of associates who labored in academia, their important others, and all of their journeys. With seven eventual fundamental characters and numerous recurring supporting solid members, these are numerous tales to get by. These 10 Massive Bang Principle episodes assist to parse all the sequence down for many who won’t have the time to get by all the present.
10
“Pilot”
Season 1, Episode 1
It might sound cliche to some, however the starting is all the time one of the best place to start out. Pilot episodes are created with the intention of giving a quick introduction to the primary characters, establishing the relationships and dynamics amongst them, and displaying the viewers what to look ahead to. Whereas dramas will give the tease for the primary main arc of the present, sitcoms have a bonus in that the episodes are largely standalone, so the thought is to usher in the characters and get as many laughs from the viewers as doable.
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The pilot episode does that by introducing Sheldon and Leonard to their brand-new neighbor Penny. Whereas Leonard instantly has a crush on the aspiring actress and makes an attempt to befriend her, regardless of he, Sheldon, and their associates being socially awkward, Sheldon is bound that Leonard won’t ever date Penny. That turns into one of the crucial essential relationships within the present. The pilot episode units the inspiration for all the things that comes subsequent.
9
“The Tangerine Issue”
Season 1, Episode 17
It’s quintessential Sheldon alongside some essential character improvement.
The season 1 finale marks the end result of the will-they-won’t-they dynamic for Penny and Leonard – or at the least, it marks the primary time they resolve to try thus far. Their date is spurned on by Penny experiencing a nasty breakup and deciding to provide Leonard a shot, however Leonard is terrified. Whereas The Massive Bang Principle isn’t solely about Leonard and Penny’s love life, within the early seasons of the present, they supplied probably the most compelling romantic dynamic. They, together with Sheldon, have been the characters driving the plot.
That’s why this episode is so essential.
Not solely do Leonard and Penny resolve to provide issues a shot, however they accomplish that due to Sheldon. Sheldon, at this level within the present, has no actual curiosity in romance or interpersonal relationships. He’s the pal the dup shares in frequent although, so that they regularly go to him for assist whereas he’s extra preoccupied with discovering out why his favourite Chinese language restaurant is making the dish he desires in another way. It’s quintessential Sheldon alongside some essential character improvement.
8
“The Bathtub Merchandise Present Speculation”
Season 2, Episode 11
“The Bathtub Merchandise Present Speculation” is the primary Christmas episode of The Big Bang Theory. Whereas the present doesn’t do a ton of vacation episodes in its future, this one stands out due to its mixture of humor and character improvement.
This episode options Leonard worrying with Penny’s try at courting a fellow scientist, and whereas that a part of the episode feeds into the long-running relationship arc for the 2, the extra important facet of it’s really the progress made for Sheldon and Penny’s friendship. When Sheldon finds out that Penny desires to provide him a Christmas reward, he turns into decided to search out one in all equal worth for her and enlists Howard (Simon Helberg) and Raj (Kunal Nayyar) to assist him.
That is the beginning of Howard and Raj changing into extra outstanding members of the solid and Sheldon changing into extra humanized over the course of the present. Sheldon, regardless of believing the duty ought to be easy, finally ends up shopping for an array of bath-related objects in order that he can merely return those he decides to not give to Penny based mostly on the worth of her reward. Penny, nonetheless, proves that she is aware of Sheldon higher than he thinks and offers him one thing that will be priceless.
This episode marks the primary time Sheldon provides Penny a hug within the sequence.
7
“The Lunar Excitation”
Season 3, Episode 23
The season 3 finale has an ideal stability among the many ensemble within the early seasons of the present. A whole lot of the episode is dedicated to Penny and Leonard discovering it awkward to be round each other for regular friendship actions after sleeping collectively. The 2 of them studying to coexist of their pal group, even when they aren’t courting, is a crucial a part of their journeys within the sequence.
Much more fascinating within the episode is a plan applied by Raj and Howard. The duo, who have been virtually joined on the hip within the first three seasons of the present, resolve to see if Sheldon may date. Sheldon has by no means proven an curiosity in it, however they create a courting profile for him on-line, and to their shock, they discover his excellent match.
The remaining moments of the episode see Mayim Bialik make her debut in The Massive Bang Principle as Amy Farah Fowler. The transient interplay she has with Jim Parsons as Sheldon units them as much as be hilarious collectively, and for the viewers to see the potential of their pairing. Amy and Sheldon’s relationship turns into far more compelling than Leonard and Penny’s because the present continues.
6
“The Stag Convergence”
Season 5, Episode 22
Although Bernadette (Melissa Rauch) is launched a lot earlier within the sequence, this episode is without doubt one of the first really pivotal ones for her and for Howard. It additionally helps to distill all of Howard’s character improvement right into a single episode for followers who need to primarily speed-watch the present.
Bernadette and Howard are on the brink of get married, however Bernadette realizes right here simply what sort of man Howard was, and that causes her to rethink their relationship. The episode showcases simply how a lot Howard has grown by his bachelor get together and all of the tales advised about him – which Bernadette sees when they’re posted on-line.
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It’s in a position to present the viewers with some backstory for Howard (and Raj) they didn’t learn about earlier than, herald some enjoyable visitor stars, just like the always-great Wil Wheaton, and permit Bernadette to grasp how a lot her presence has modified Howard. It’s an ideal episode for each of their characters.
5
“The Love Spell Potential”
Season 6, Episode 23
A time-honored custom in nerdy circles is role-playing tabletop video games like Dungeons and Dragons. The sequence options Sheldon, Leonard, Raj, and Howard taking part in the sport quite a few occasions, however this model would possibly give the viewers one of the best glimpses into their characters.
“The Love Spell Potential” kicks off with the blokes planning an evening of D&D whereas Penny, Amy, and Bernadette are imagined to be going to Las Vegas for a ladies’ journey. Their journey is derailed when Amy finally ends up on the no-fly listing, resulting in them taking part in D&D with Sheldon, Leonard, and Howard after Raj bails on them to spend time together with his personal girlfriend.
Whereas Raj’s story is basically separate from the remainder of the group, it makes for an ideal take a look at the dynamics of the remainder of the ensemble, as a lot of the episode’s humor comes from the 2 very completely different units of associates interacting over the sport. It additionally helps to indicate simply how a lot Raj has developed since he and his present girlfriend each have points with painful shyness, however nonetheless discover methods to attach.
The episode additionally supplies an enormous step ahead in Sheldon and Amy’s relationship when she turns into upset that they’ve but to be bodily intimate with each other. It results in a heart-to-heart between them and supplies a incredible scene for the 2 of them discussing what sort of intimacy they’re comfy with.
4
“The Comedian Ebook Retailer Regeneration”
Season 8, Episode 15
Whereas sitcoms are identified for his or her characters ending up in some slapstick conditions or delivering quippy dialogue, additionally they need to take probabilities every now and then to craft extra dramatic storylines. “The Comedian Ebook Retailer Regeneration” is when the present does this, and it’s widely known as the best episode of The Big Bang Theory because of this.
After the comedian e-book retailer the gang frequented burned down in season 7, frequent visitor star Stuart (Kevin Sussman) opens his new location right here. The opening, in addition to Leonard and Raj assembly Nathan Fillion, who cameos within the episode, present numerous the humor and assist to stability the ensemble in a number of completely different storylines.
The dramatic facet of the episode comes when Howard receives a devastating telephone name a few main demise in his life. It breaks up the humor of the present and permits the characters to cope with some actual feelings, and it makes for an ideal stability of humor and coronary heart.
A derivative sequence surrounding Stuart is in improvement, referred to as Stuart Fails To Save The Universe.
3
“The Opening Evening Excitation”
Season 9, Episode 11
Not lots of the episodes of The Massive Bang Principle highlight Amy, however it’s definitely troublesome to think about the present with out her. Although she didn’t be part of the sequence till the season 3 finale, she turns into an enormous a part of it as Penny’s pal and the primary girl Sheldon even considers having a relationship with.
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By this level within the present, Sheldon and Amy have been collectively on and off for 5 years. For Amy’s birthday, Sheldon decides to provide her one thing she actually desires, however he has by no means actually been all in favour of – intercourse. It’s a daring step ahead for Sheldon’s character improvement and supplies for some nice comedic performances when he makes the choice clear to Amy, Penny, and Bernadette. Bialik’s Amy is a selected spotlight on this episode.
2
“The Bow Tie Asymmetry”
Season 11, Episode 24
Whereas seasons 10 and 11 focus largely on relationship storylines for many of the characters, the characters who expertise probably the most progress and alter in that point are Sheldon and Amy. An off-the-cuff viewer doesn’t have to see each single episode between “The Opening Evening Excitation” and “The Bow Tie Asymmetry,” although they attain numerous relationship milestones in these episodes. Right here, Sheldon and Amy marry, however that isn’t the one spotlight of the episode.
Whereas Amy and Sheldon is perhaps the couple tying the knot, all the ensemble is tasked with ensuring the marriage runs easily. Full with references to Avengers, Lord of the Rings, and string concept, the episode is filled with the nerdy points the sequence is understood for, in addition to some enormous visitor stars, like Mark Hamill and Wil Wheaton.
It additionally permits Sheldon and Amy’s households to work together with each other and all of their associates, which is the right comedic hurricane. Whereas all the comedy is happening round them, Sheldon and Amy additionally work out some physics formulation together with her lipstick tube and a mirror, proving that even throughout an enormous relationship second for them, academia continues to be an enormous a part of the present.
Extra of Sheldon’s household life could be explored within the spinoff Younger Sheldon.
1
“The Stockholm Syndrome”
Season 12, Episode 24
…protecting Sheldon in focus, however honoring the work of all the ensemble…
Making it to the top of Massive Bang Principle important episodes, “The Stockholm Syndrome” is the sequence finale. It’s a becoming place to finish the journey with the characters, even with simply 9 episodes earlier than it. The sequence finale celebrates the friendships among the many fundamental characters in addition to Sheldon attaining his dream. The group heads to Stockholm to see Amy and Sheldon awarded a Nobel Prize.
This isn’t the funniest episode of the sequence, but it surely does, for probably the most half, supply nice closure for all of the characters. For anybody who has adopted alongside because the pilot episode, there’s a sense of the characters actually reaching the top of their fictional journeys. Most of them have spouses or youngsters and their dream jobs.
Within the later seasons of the present, Sheldon change into the point of interest, regardless of the ensemble nature of the sequence, so permitting him to thank every of his associates in his Nobel speech makes for the right method to shut the present – protecting Sheldon in focus, however honoring the work of all the ensemble in The Massive Bang Principle.
