Surprises and gossip were served alongside the turkey on The Big Bang Theory season 7, episode 9. Check out our recap and share your thoughts on “The Thanksgiving Decoupling”!
The Big Bang Theory season 7, episode 9 began as Howard interrupted a scientific debate about cow-tipping to invite the gang to his mother’s house for Thanksgiving. Bernadette’s dad will be there. Penny and the guys agree, though Sheldon is reluctant to abandon their Thanksgiving tradition of eating Leonard’s mediocre food while he complains about it. He insists on comparing his plight to the Africans shipped across the Atlantic to slave in the new world.
Preparing to go, Penny says that she once spent Thanksgiving in Las Vegas with Zack, where they had a “fake wedding.” Leonard, Sheldon and Amy break the news to Penny that those weddings are real. Leonard is upset, and Penny agrees to get an annulment.
Bernadette’s dad is unhappy to be over at the Wolowitz house. Howard makes awkward conversation with his father-in-law as Bernadette, Raj, and Amy get to cooking…until Amy breaks the news about Penny. Penny is upset that Howard is upset and gets Zack to come over and sign the annulment papers, which upsets Leonard and delights Raj.
Sheldon shocks Howard and Mr. Rostenkowski by being a genius at football theory. Sheldon admits that his dad died when he was 14, so Mr. Rostenkowski has a beer with him – though Howard is in the same situation. Later, they have a belching contest and a tipsy Sheldon says he’s been having a good time. Bernadette and Amy tell Sheldon to apologize to Howard, after which he slaps Amy on the ass and asks for more beer.
Zack arrives and everybody crowds around the dining room table to watch them sign the papers. Zack doesn’t want to sign in case they have kids (you know, reasons) but he agrees after Penny vents her frustration at her mistake on Leonard. She apologizes later, promising to marry for love… or money. Mr. Rostenkowski makes Howard’s night when he tells him he isn’t the worst son-in-law in the world. Yay!