The Big Bang Theory – The Holiday Summation

By: Jenny Vintzileos

While our favorite lovable nerds are on repeat this upcoming week, this past week we got a taste of how the gang fared over the holidays. As Penny (Kaley Cuoco) and Leonard (Johnny Galecki) enjoyed a holiday in the comfort of their own space, Amy (Mayim Bialik) and Sheldon (Jim Parsons) went to Texas to visit Mary Cooper (Laurie Metcalf). And with baby Wolowitz, how are Howard (Simon Helberg) and Bernadette (Melissa Rauch) adjusting to the new addition?

As Christmas has come and gone, Penny and Leonard have done their best to remove all traces of the season from the apartment in an effort to avoid Sheldon’s ire. That hope is short-lived as Shamy (Sheldon/Amy) enter the apartment and Sheldon spots a forgotten piece of mistletoe. Brushing the issue aside, Penny and Leonard are eager to find out how Shamy’s trip to Texas went.

Sheldon does not recall much of the plane ride as Amy slipped him some magic “juice” that made him sleep through the trip. When he comes to in the rental car, Amy wants to tell Mary that about her and Sheldon’s new living arrangements. Sheldon shows reluctance to do so, feeling that his mother’s Christian values will make her less than accepting to the idea. During dinner, Amy blurts it out and Mary handles the news very well, which confuses Sheldon.

Mary explains how she has known that Sheldon was always a little different and is glad that he found Amy. Taking offense, Sheldon lashes out by donning underwear on his head and flippers on his feet in an effort to prove just how weird he can be. In the car later that night, Amy shares that she had contacted Mary prior to their trip to Texas to give her the news. While this upsets Sheldon, Amy then explains that she did this to prove to Sheldon that they are a team.

Bernadette and Howard then arrive with baby Wolowitz, as well as Raj (Kunal Nayyar) and Stuart (Kevin Sussman) in tow. As the rest of the group gets comfortable, Penny and Leonard share a story of a fight they had over the holiday, stemming from a frustrating adventure of trying to procure a Christmas tree. While the intentions were good, the end result was a dirty and aggravated Penny and Leonard. When the tree starts squeaking, Leonard is so tired that he is willing to let the furry creature eat him.

To divert the conversation away from the fight, Sheldon feigns interest in Bernadette and Howard’s foray into parenthood. While Bernadette is fine now, her frustrations began coming to a head at home with trying to calm little Haley. As Stuart apparently moonlights  as a “baby whisperer,” Bernadette feels frustrated that her little girl won’t calm down for her. In turn, while Bernadette is always the one trying to console a crying baby, Howard consoles a crying Bernadette. Eventually, Howard goes to check in on Haley and finds that Bernadette is with her in the crib. Both mother and baby are calm and relaxed, finally achieving the peace. Howard is proud of her.

With everyone all caught up, the evening comes to an end and the group disperses. But before the night is completely over, Howard immediately rushes back into Penny and Leonard’s apartment towards the bedroom. After all, he can’t forget the baby!