The Big Bang Theory – The Procreation Calculation

By: Sammi Turano

The episode opens with the gang eating dinner. Bernadette (Melissa Rauch) and Howard (Simon Helberg) tell Leonard (Johnny Galecki) and Penny (Kaley Cuoco) that their neighbors are moving and they should look into buying the house. 

Amy (Mayim Bialik) is offended because they weren’t asked if they wanted to check out the house. Sheldon (Jim Parsons) says they can’t move because he will have to change the tags in his underwear. Amy offers to buy him new ones, causing Sheldon to think he is in Witness Protection due to all the changes.

The Hofstadters aren’t sure about the move and end up talking about where they want to live in the future. Penny wants a loft downtown and Leonard wants a yard. Everyone wonders how they are even married.

Raj (Kunal Nayyar) says they should have discussed this before they got married. He goes on to mention meeting his future wife.  Everyone wonders how this arranged marriage will work out while Leonard and Penny realize they very different. This leads to Raj offering to send them there questionnaire he used to find his future wife. 

Howard and Bernadette are at home reading and relaxing when Stuart (Kevin Sussman) and Denise (Lauren Lapkus) come home. They chat a bit before going to his room. The Wolowitzes are not comfortable with this arrangement, especially when it seems they are getting intimate.

Penny and Leonard are doing her nails when they get the questionnaire. They begin answering questions, realizing they have less and less in common. The biggest issue is the fact that Penny doesn’t seem enthusiastic about children. Leonard makes a quip that he took care of Sheldon for fifteen years and only got bit twice when the quiz asks about pets.

Raj and Anu (Rati Gupta) go on their first date. She orders the waiter to get her sparking water, clean silverware and the dish the people next to them are eating. Raj is nervous and she tells him he is not good at this. They begin discussing why they are trying this, but Anu is worried he isn’t serious about this. They talk some more and seem to hit it off…..although she says she isn’t taking his last name.

Penny asks Bernadette if she wants to get lunch. Bernadette says she is too busy because the kids kept her up all night. Penny admits she might not want kids, which Bernadette thinks is crazy. Despite her complaints, Bernadette can’t understand why she wouldn’t want kids, causing the women to argue. 

Raj tells the guys about her date and asks Howard to be his best man because he wants to marry Anu. The guys are surprised, but Sheldon makes some valid points about how arranged marriages worked in the olden days. Howard still questions it, which causes Raj to get offended and storm off. 

The Wolowitzes are home talking about their fights with their friends. They won’t admit they are wrong and think they are experts since they are married with kids. As they talk, Stuart’s love music comes on.

Penny finally admits to Leonard she doesn’t want kids, but not before unintentionally making him think she is pregnant. He doesn’t take the news well and storms off. The next day, Leonard tells Sheldon about his conversation with Penny and his worry that he may not be able to carry on the family name. Sheldon reminds him his siblings already did the job.

Howard finally tells Raj he has his blessing for the arranged marriage. 

Amy comes over to yell at Penny for not having kids because they were supposed to be pregnant together, raise kids together and breast feed each other’s babies. Penny is horrified and annoyed by her reactions, but says she just wants to be fun Aunt Penny.

The Wolowitzes try to enjoy some romantic time, but get interrupted by their son and Stuart. They try to drown it out with some Britney Spears, but no avail. We also get a joke about Howard cracking a walnut with his gluten.

Penny gives Leonard In-n-Out burger for dinner and they discuss their future and not having kids. Leonard says he will give up the dream, like he gave up the dream off having a Batmobile. Penny’s dad calls yelling at her, causing Leonard to bolt.

Raj and Anu discuss their own future. He wants something more romantic than just their arranged marriage. So, she turns the tables and proposes to him. He accepts and they seal the deal with a kiss.

The episode ends with Penny surprising Leonard with the Batmobile to drive for the day.