The Big Bang Theory season 7, episodes 1 and 2 will air tonight on CBS. What can we expect from the return of the geeky comedy?

The Big Bang Theory season 7 premieres tonight in an hour-long block of episodes. Episodes 1 and 2, “The Hofstadter Insufficiency” and “The Deception Verification,” will air back-to-back beginning at 8 pm on CBS.

Change was in the air when we last left our nerdy friends. Though Leonard and Penny’s relationship was going strong, Leonard set sail on a four month trip doing research for Stephen Hawking on the North Sea. Meanwhile, Raj was left reeling when his sweet-but-scared girlfriend Lucy (Kate Micucci) ended their relationship – but on the plus side, he finally broke through his six-season-long hangup of talking to girls while sober.

On the more stable side, Howard and Bernadette continued to live in an uneasy peace between their apartment and the home of Ma Wolowitz, and Sheldon and Amy’s relationship inched marginally forward.

Leonard’s absence from the home front in Pasadena looks like it will be a major focus in the show this season. The official summary for The Big Bang Theory season 7, episode 1, “The Hofstadter Insufficiency” says:

With Leonard away, Sheldon and Penny spend quality time together sharing intimate secrets. Also, Wolowitz helps Raj get over his ex-girlfriend.

And the summary for episode 2, “The Deception Verification” reveals the following:

Leonard’s friendship with Sheldon is put to the test when he returns from the North Sea. Meanwhile, Wolowitz’s relationship with his mother causes an unusual threat to his masculinity.

Check our a few stills from “The Hofstadter Insufficiency” and “The Deception Verification” right here.

And for a moving-picture taste of what The Big Bang Theory season 7, episode 1 has in store, cast your eyes upon the following preview.

The Big Bang Theory season 7, episode 1, “The Hofstadter Insufficiency” and episode 2 “The Deception Verification” will air tonight at 8 pm on CBS.

What are your hypotheses for ‘The Big Bang Theory’s’ giant premiere?