Physical activity led into some movements of the heart on The Big Bang Theory 9×05, “The Perspiration Implementation.”
The challenge
Inspired by Howard’s extreme devotion to remaining sedentary, Leonard suggests that the guys take a physical activity. The movement-averse geeks are not keen on the idea, but eventually join Barry Kripke’s fencing class.
Though their heads are full of epic fantasy dreams, Kripke’s class turns out to be a regimented practice of fencing. Still, the guys do surprisingly well. Sure, they start battling the moment Barry’s back is turned, and Howard and Raj recite variations on Inigo Montoya’s famous speech until the Six Fingered Man himself would beg for death.
But nobody balks at the drills or formalities, and they all seem to be enjoying themselves… until Barry overhears Sheldon discussing the fact that Amy is now single.
Touching
Barry mulls over the idea of asking Amy out, which enrages Sheldon. He insists on challenging Kripke to a duel to be held at a future date when Sheldon can actually fence. In a repeating theme from the past several episodes, Sheldon refuses to consider a future where Amy lives her life without him.
After fencing, the now-macho guys get a beer at a sports bar. Drunk off three sips of beer, Sheldon disastrously asks three women to go out with him, in order to soothe his single soul. To his credit, he is unperturbed by their inevitable rejection.
The answer is right in front of you
Meanwhile, Penny, Amy, and Bernadette have been trying to advise Stuart on how to get more female customers into the comic book store. Unfortunately, it rapidly becomes clear that Stuart is a) kind of a creeper, b) desperate to be in a relationship with any woman in a mile’s radius, c) horribly unpleasant to be around, or d) ALL OF THE ABOVE.
The answer is (d).
Back at Penny’s apartment, Amy receives a text from Kripke asking her out (plus a nude photo, ugh). She isn’t repelled by the idea — and Amy and Kripke have spent time together before — but she clearly has mixed feelings about moving on with her life in such a similar direction.
But something might begin to shift when Amy and Sheldon collide on the stairs. She tells him about the offer from Kripke, and he tells her about the women he tried to ask out. Unexpectedly, hearing about Sheldon’s crudely-formulated plans for moving on leaves Amy blinking back tears.
Sheldon doesn’t notice this, but we can’t help but wonder — in spite of Sheldon’s perpetual obtuseness, could Amy be having second thoughts about their breakup?