The Big Bang Theory – The Brain Bowl Incubation

By: Jennifer Vintzileos

As Amy (Mayim Bialik) deceived Sheldon (Jim Parsons) last week in potentially the best way, Leonard (Johnny Galecki) allowed Penny (Kaley Cuoco) to ultimately rule over his domain: aka the bedroom. Bernadette (Melissa Rauch) keeps approaching that due date and I don’t know about you, but I’m super excited for Baby Wolowitz to make an appearance! What happened this week? Let’s find out.

Amy and Sheldon, in their need to explore and research, have decided to conduct an experiment using their skin samples. With these samples, Amy explains how they will use them to synthesize a neural network from the cells and turn the skin cells into brain cells. Of course, Sheldon immediately jumps on board with the idea almost too enthusiastically.

When Bernadette comes over to visit the couple, there is a heated argument between her and Sheldon, him trying to compare their “brain in a bowl” to a human baby. Yet, the testing proves to generate positive results for the couple and Sheldon decides that maybe the experiment proves that him and Amy are ready for the next step: having their own child.

Raj (Kunal Nayyar), who has been delving deep into work and staying off the social circle, has a chance encounter with the university cleaning lady, Isabella (Maria Canals-Barrera). After a somewhat awkward but adorable encounter, Raj starts taking to healthier eating habits when having dinner with Penny, Leonard and Howard (Simon Helberg). Penny is the first one to notice and as they grill Raj for more information. He says he has started something new with someone (Isabella) and he lies to his friends about Isabella’s profession by telling them she is a fellow astronomer.

Instead of being deterred by her profession, Raj makes every effort to know Isabella better. Helping her clean the university bathrooms, Raj learns that Isabella is divorced, has a ninteen year old son and works two jobs to support them. As she explains that she has no time to date, Raj surprises her later on by not only cleaning the rooms for her, but making dinner. Isabella accepts, despite Raj’s faux-pas on believing she is Mexican when she is Cuban and they hit it off.  Unfortunately, Howard derails those plans by stopping by to see Raj and exposes his lie about her profession. Isabella is hurt by Raj’s actions and leaves him, but he manages to apologize and convince her to have dinner with him again. She calls the shots by saying that he will take her out Sunday night for Pakistani food, obviously a jab at how Raj read her wrong since he’s from India.

Meanwhile, Amy is slowly being driven insane by Sheldon. She is not ready to be a parent, witnessing Sheldon’s blatant flirtation efforts to drop implements on the floor and seduce her with rose petals leading to their apartment. As Amy is explaining to Penny and Leonard how Sheldon is acting like a “Rat Pack Peewee Herman,” he comes into the apartment and attempts to dance the Flamenco, much to the group’s horror. Amy storms out of the apartment, but we later see that she was aroused rather than horrified at Sheldon’s open display of persistence.

Can Amy thwart Sheldon’s attempts for much longer? How many of us are chomping at the bit to meet Baby Wolowitz? And what’s in store for the group? Join me next time for The Big Bang Theory!