Episode 3.15 (Feb 8)

[Tripper]

"The Large Hadron Collision" - Leonard can only bring one guest on a trip to see CERN's Large Hadron Collider (the world's largest and highest energy particle accelerator) in Switzerland on Valentine's Day, on THE BIG BANG THEORY, Monday, Feb. 8 (9:30-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

You can find more information on the episode in our Episode Guide.

[white_knight]

Don't tell me that "just one guest" will be a dilema? it should obviously be penny, even if she doesn't know a thing about cern, the girlfriend must always be the number one priority, once she declined and if she declines, then you turn to the buddies and the "old kid" jejeje.

[Birphq]

Reminds me of a number of other sit-coms which have given a character 2 somethings (concert tickets, vacation packages...) leaving the rest of the cast to attempt to bribe said character to take them instead of the others.

[Irvine]

Except this time it's not concert tickets, it's a trip to the LHC! That's bigger!

I wonder if he'll actually ask Penny, and what she'll respond to it!

[Meag26]

Maybe he asks Penny but she doesn't want to go and has a dilemma telling him. Leave it to TBBT to twist the usual.

[Birphq]

I see this episode starting with with leonard asking penny and her saying yes but before he can tell the guys the bribes start eolling in and Leonard and Penny playing along to se wwhat they can put the guys through, especially Sheldon

[sahhar]

The episode's promo seems a little less Sheldon centric. I'm hoping this episode brings the show back on track after all the Sheldon centric episodes and back to the great ensemble it used to be.

[FemaleNerd]

Maybe he asks Penny but she doesn't want to go and has a dilemma telling him. Leave it to TBBT to twist the usual.

I really hope for a less-drama and more-realistic plot. The three friends competing for the ticket would make sense to me. And Penny generally wanting to go to Europe with Leonard but not being interested in the HC would be realistic.

But, please, no hyped-up drama about Valentine's day being "oh so important" and boyfriend needs to take girlfriend even if she isn't interested...

[sahhar]

This episode will be the real test as to where they're taking this show. If this episode ALSO becomes another crazy-Sheldon annoying Leonard and being rude to Penny-Sheldon-centric-dull-written episode, then for sure we'll know that this show is in deep trouble and going the wrong way.

[vportilla]

well I hope that episode will be less Sheldon , I know he is funny but Please the series is not only about him !

[DPK]

It's a little too late for that. This show has become the Sheldon show.

[sahhar]

Actually today it really wasn't the Sheldon show. Today's episode was completely mixed for me. I liked a lot of things while some things were alright.

[lxcpikiman]

I'm new to the forums.

but I was looking around the net about a website for my favorite comedic and i think i have found it.

let me just say while I enjoy the show it has completely change from what it used to be in season 2.

the few first episodes from S3 were funny and the parts were still sort of equal for everyone.

but the last 2 episodes have been downright poor and it has become more of a Sheldon/Leonard/Penny show, giving very few lines to Howard and Raj.

In my opinion, Howard was one of the main charater of the show, he is ( or should be) the guy that spice things up with his dirty jokes but now even his clothing aren't funny anymore.

now Raj, he is the charater to mix culture diversity into this "american show" and bring something different to american culture.

I'm really disappointed with the directors/producers that have made TBBT into an usual comedy show.

[sahhar]

Ok. So here's my episode review for The Large Hadron Collision

Overall I had mixed feelings about this one. It was much better than Bozeman Reaction and Einstein Approximation, but at the same time I'm still on the fence with this show.

The Plusses

-I liked what they did with Sheldon's character in this episode. Not crazy, not stupid, still into science, but FINALLY some character development. I would never have imagined Sheldon even bothering to bring Leonard breakfast in bed albeit for something in return, or Sheldon smiling a bit more.

-While on Sheldon's character development, I liked how he seemed to have become tolerant of everyone around him. Like he's realized that he doesn't need to being science into everything b/c no one cares.

-Sheldon hugging Penny again. I just DID NOT see that coming at all. But it was totally justified keeping in mind he wanted to see the Super Collider since he was five. The writers are SLOWLY evolving his character but NOT jumping the shark, THANKFULLY.

-A bit more of Howard and Raj today.

The Downers

-The show has really lost a lot of it's comedy. I don't know whether b/c it was supposed to be a slightly more serious episode, but a lot of the jokes and one-liners fell FLAT. What has happened to the show that had witty lines and jokes every second of playing time?. I BARELY laughed today.

-We need to see more of Howard's relationship with Bernadette.

-We seriously need more of Raj's character actually DOING something in the show.

-The plot of the show is NOT becoming The Sheldon show, thankfully, but it's actually becoming the Leonard-Penny-Sheldon show, which is worse.

-Raj and Howard's plotlines are barely a few minutes. BAD choice the writers are making

-Anybody notice the unnecessary sex jokes that are coming in aplenty?!. I was so surprised to hear so much unnecessary sex jokes that weren't even funny. This show doesn't need them!.

-The pacing of the show has become super SLOW.

So that's my review. In a nutshell, happy with where Sheldon's character is going and also the stories, but the Teleplay and Dialogues of the show are BAD. The show is losing it's most important factor. Comedy.

It's a 50-50 from me today.

-

[DoomedPanda]

So I think Sheldon just got demoted to my least favourite character... He's a complete asshole in this episode...

[Steve]

LOL Wouldn't you know it ... I LOVED it! I laughed out loud, over and over. Sheldon seemed spot on to me. I've always been a Leonard and Penny fan. We get a Sheldon/Penny hug, Penny holding her own against Sheldon's attempts to push her aside, and on and on.

That being said, I do agree with the comments above to some extent; it wasn't perfect. But it was truly an ensemble piece, not fixated on Sheldon, and line after line had me rolling. It's not that Sheldon didn't act crazy -- he did -- but it was within the context of a larger story revolving around other characters. I thought the way the story wrapped up, with neither Sheldon nor Penny going, as brilliant. And that it ended up being Raj? Great zinger at the end.

This just shows how all of our impressions of the show are subjective. I didn't like the ball pit, while others found it hilarious and inspired. I found the pacing in this episode to be just right, leaving me with the feeling that that's given the plot time to honestly develop. Sahhar found it to slow. In the end, I'm just delighted to see that what I saw as a slide into mediocrity over the past few episodes wasn't necessarily a sign of the series falling apart. Now let's see what next week's episode brings to find out if they're on a solid rebound.

Steve

[white_knight]

So I think Sheldon just got demoted to my least favourite character... He's a complete asshole in this episode...

I second that motion, though I had that motion long ago probably since season's start but I was just waiting for it to be issued lol.

What I did like is that leonard did had Penny as number one for the trip.

I would've change the ending and I think it would've been funnier if howard and bernadette end up going, that leonard passes the chance to stay and taking care of penny and howard and bernadette going and howard gloating finishing saying "neener neener".

[BlackWhiteRose]

Sheldon is always funny. I`ll never hate him. And he will allways be my favourite character on the show.

He was so funny in this epsiode and I really understood, why he wants to go to Switzerland and I also understood why Leonard wantet to take Penny.

It was a funny chaos.

So sweet Sheldon and Penny sick together. They played it so funny.

And the end was sweet as Leonard tooked Raj to Switzerland. Raj becomes a really nice character and in this season I liked him a little more than in the others.

I didn`t laugh so much in this episode but it was still funny.

[shinzon]

I don't even own a television, and this is about the only show I watch. I like it so much that sometimes I'll even play some of the episodes from the first two seasons in the background while I'm programming. But, in my opinion, some very bad things have been happening to this show recently, beginning with "The Psychic Vortex". I can't quite put my finger on all of the changes, but the stories and the writing have definitely changed. The last three episodes have been sloppy, like tonights episode where Sheldon tells Penny that there is nothing in the Roommate Agreement about girlfriends, when we know that there is. But more importantly the last three episodes have shown Leonard and Howard transform into complete jerks without souls. Howard constantly rubs the fact that he has a girlfriend in Raj's face, Howard and Leonard take their girlfriends skating when it was Raj's idea and they just ignore Raj as he points this out repeatedly (Raj is only hauled out now when the writers need to inject some lame homoerotic joke, almost every episode now), and so on and so on. A funnier episode would have involved Leonard struggling with who to take to CERN. THE major appeal of the show up to now has been how much the characters really care for each other and protect each other despite their differences and personalities. In several TBBT forums people always say how they wish they had friends like these. Now, for me, that feeling is completely gone and the last three shows have just been extremely disappointing and sad, and, quite frankly, I don't want to be around them, or watch them.

[SmartbutSlow]

I don't even own a television, and this is about the only show I watch. I like it so much that sometimes I'll even play some of the episodes from the first two seasons in the background while I'm programming. But, in my opinion, some very bad things have been happening to this show recently, beginning with "The Psychic Vortex". I can't quite put my finger on all of the changes, but the stories and the writing have definitely changed. The last three episodes have been sloppy, like tonights episode where Sheldon tells Penny that there is nothing in the Roommate Agreement about girlfriends, when we know that there is. But more importantly the last three episodes have shown Leonard and Howard transform into complete jerks without souls. Howard constantly rubs the fact that he has a girlfriend in Raj's face, Howard and Leonard take their girlfriends skating when it was Raj's idea and they just ignore Raj as he points this out repeatedly (Raj is only hauled out now when the writers need to inject some lame homoerotic joke, almost every episode now), and so on and so on. A funnier episode would have involved Leonard struggling with who to take to CERN. THE major appeal of the show up to now has been how much the characters really care for each other and protect each other despite their differences and personalities. In several TBBT forums people always say how they wish they had friends like these. Now, for me, that feeling is completely gone and the last three shows have just been extremely disappointing and sad, and, quite frankly, I don't want to be around them, or watch them.

Sweetie: Get out of your head. This is a sitcom not "Criminal Minds." You are definitly watching the wrong show for your ovetaxed mind. Either lighten up or end up on meds.

I loved last night's episode. One should not psychoanalyze a sitcom to death. The roommate agreements were hysterical especially if one turns into a werewolf, the other can kill him. Wow, pick that one to death !

Loved the ending. What a great surprise for Raj.

Have happy and germ free Valentines Day everybody!

---

So I think Sheldon just got demoted to my least favourite character... He's a complete asshole in this episode...

Why? Does he remind you of yourself? Do your roommates hate you? Are you going to be alone on Valentine's Day?

---

I hope the writers are not taking all this criticism seriously. Seems they are catering to an age group anywhere from 16 to 60. Can't please everyone every week. It's a sitcom folks! Stop analyzing it to death and just get a good laugh once in a while.

[DPK]

I find it sad that Leonard is being vilified for wanting to spend VALENTINE'S DAY WITH HIS GIRLFRIEND! How dare he.

Fact is Sheldon was being a complete dick throughout the entire episode. From his codenscending remarks to Leonard in the begining and throughout the rest of the episode...and in general I'll add, to the emotional blackmail and condescention to Penny in the laundry room. He was acting like a petulant child who cries when he doesn't get his way.

If Sheldon wanted to go so bad he should have bought his own damn ticket and went himself. We know he has a lot of money saved up so there's no reason why Leonard was obligated to take him. Once again its all about what Sheldon wants.

As for the so called roomate agreement that keeps getting brought up by the haters for why Leonard should have taken Sheldon...it's a comedic device used to show how ridiculous Sheldon can be and its not something that we the audience are supposed to take seriously. For crying out loud there's stipulations if they get superpowers or if Sheldon becomes a Zombie. Neither of which will ever happen.

It's too bad Penny got sick. The twist was interesting that neither of them got to go but some of the reaction this episode is getting baffles me to no end.

[DoomedPanda]

I don't even own a television, and this is about the only show I watch. I like it so much that sometimes I'll even play some of the episodes from the first two seasons in the background while I'm programming. But, in my opinion, some very bad things have been happening to this show recently, beginning with "The Psychic Vortex". I can't quite put my finger on all of the changes, but the stories and the writing have definitely changed. The last three episodes have been sloppy, like tonights episode where Sheldon tells Penny that there is nothing in the Roommate Agreement about girlfriends, when we know that there is. But more importantly the last three episodes have shown Leonard and Howard transform into complete jerks without souls. Howard constantly rubs the fact that he has a girlfriend in Raj's face, Howard and Leonard take their girlfriends skating when it was Raj's idea and they just ignore Raj as he points this out repeatedly (Raj is only hauled out now when the writers need to inject some lame homoerotic joke, almost every episode now), and so on and so on. A funnier episode would have involved Leonard struggling with who to take to CERN. THE major appeal of the show up to now has been how much the characters really care for each other and protect each other despite their differences and personalities. In several TBBT forums people always say how they wish they had friends like these. Now, for me, that feeling is completely gone and the last three shows have just been extremely disappointing and sad, and, quite frankly, I don't want to be around them, or watch them.

Sweetie: Get out of your head. This is a sitcom not "Criminal Minds." You are definitly watching the wrong show for your ovetaxed mind. Either lighten up or end up on meds.

I loved last night's episode. One should not psychoanalyze a sitcom to death. The roommate agreements were hysterical especially if one turns into a werewolf, the other can kill him. Wow, pick that one to death !

Loved the ending. What a great surprise for Raj.

Have happy and germ free Valentines Day everybody!

---

So I think Sheldon just got demoted to my least favourite character... He's a complete asshole in this episode...

Why? Does he remind you of yourself? Do your roommates hate you? Are you going to be alone on Valentine's Day?

---

I hope the writers are not taking all this criticism seriously. Seems they are catering to an age group anywhere from 16 to 60. Can't please everyone every week. It's a sitcom folks! Stop analyzing it to death and just get a good laugh once in a while.

Stop analyzing it? I suppose we may as well just shut the whole fucking forum down seeing as YOU don't think we should talk about it.... How about you shut the fuck up and stop insulting people because of their views

(I apologise to the mods for swearing but with some people just deserve it)

[sahhar]

This episode was not as GREAT as people were saying and not as BAD as people are saying. For me it was just totally a 50-50 thing. It was alright. It was better than the last few, but the writers still need to step it up a lot more if they want the show to go to a F.R.I.E.N.D.S level or hilarious level.

[FemaleNerd]

Well, I was okay with that episode. More interactions between all of them. Liked the cafeteria scene in the beginning. Lots of funny moments.

But I don't get the drama behind Valentine's day?? It's one stupid day in the year. Why would you take your girlfriend who's not interested in physics to a physics conference to see something your roommate and friend has longed for since he was nine?? Leonard can spend any day with Penny, why the fuss about Valentine's day?? Besides, I don't really see how a science department of a university would sponsor Leonard to take "someone else". University usually only sponsor science-related trips, so to me it would have made more sense if he had to take another scientist. But yeah, then the whole episode wouldn't have been funny

In several TBBT forums people always say how they wish they had friends like these. Now, for me, that feeling is completely gone and the last three shows have just been extremely disappointing and sad, and, quite frankly, I don't want to be around them, or watch them.

I agree here! It also bothered me lately that we don't really see the four friends caring for each other anymore and I really miss the geeky scenes. I guess somehow such a change is normal when some people in a group of friends get girl-/boyfriends, but I really didn't understand why they didn't take Raj for roller skating - why would that have been a problem??

Stop analyzing it? I suppose we may as well just shut the whole fucking forum down seeing as YOU don't think we should talk about it.... How about you shut the mango up and stop insulting people because of their views

(I apologise to the mods for swearing but with some people just deserve it)

Completely agree with you!

[DPK]

But I don't get the drama behind Valentine's day?? It's one stupid day in the year. Why would you take your girlfriend who's not interested in physics to a physics conference to see something your roommate and friend has longed for since he was nine?? Leonard can spend any day with Penny, why the fuss about Valentine's day?? Besides, I don't really see how a science department of a university would sponsor Leonard to take "someone else". University usually only sponsor science-related trips, so to me it would have made more sense if he had to take another scientist. But yeah, then the whole episode wouldn't have been funny

For one thing he wasn't going to be spending his whole time at the conference. According to the show he could bring along one other person. Being that it was Valentine's day and its in Switzerland he choose Penny and that was his right. He had no real obligation to take Sheldon and as he explained to Penny that there were plenty of other things for them to do there. Sheldon isn't the only one with dreams. Valentine's day is special for people because its a day they celebrate romantic love. That's something that Leonard wants in his life, why would he take a person who generally doesn't care about his wants and needs over someone who does?