Valentine’s Day was touch-and-go on this week’s episode of The Big Bang Theory, but the entire geeky gang wound up bringing the feelings in unexpected ways.
“The Tangible Affection Proof” saw Leonard trying his best to give Penny a Valentine’s Day to remember; his efforts, however, are met with less-than-perfect enthusiasm. A romantic double-date with a surly Bernadette and Howard is strained by the bickering couple and Penny’s preoccupation with an ex-boyfriend across the restaurant. Howard and Bernadette make amends and head home happy, but Leonard and Penny wind up fighting instead.
After a few raw moments (culminating in Penny tiredly calling herself a bitch, and Leonard agreeing) Penny admits that her closeness to Leonard and the potential permanence of their future scared her. Leonard then promises Penny not to propose marriage to her again; if or when Penny decides she wants to tie the knot, she will be the one to pop the question. Touched (as she knows how much Leonard likes asking her to marry him) Penny asks Leonard to be her Valentine, and the two reconcile.
Meanwhile, Sheldon sends off his assistant Alex to track down a Valentine’s gift for Amy. (Sidebar: Much as we are not Team Alex, Sheldon’s behavior toward her is uncomfortably sexist and we do not approve.) After panning two of the gifts and co-opting the third for his own, Sheldon is taken aback after Amy cancels their traditionally romantic plans and offers him his perfect Valentine’s Day: Pizza, a sci-fi movie, and his spot on the couch. In return he makes Amy his emergency contact at work, leaving her (at least temporarily) touched, teary and in the hugging mood.
At the same time, everybody’s favorite singleton Raj helps Stuart throw a lonely-people party at the comic book store. The party is as depressing as you might expect, until Raj decides that they all need to own their loneliness and embrace their geeky community. He makes a rousing speech and bolsters the spirits of all the party-goers – so much so that he connects with a girl at the party and bails with her. It’s about time, buddy.
The Big Bang Theory will be back next week with “The Monster Isolation.”
After a terrible date, Koothrappali vows to never leave his apartment. Meanwhile, Penny actually impresses Sheldon with her acting skills.