The Big Bang Theory – The Recollection Dissipation

By: Jennifer Vintzileos

With Raj (Kunal Nayyar) finally adjusting a little too well into his accommodations with Penny (Kaley Cuoco) and Leonard (Johnny Galecki), we were treated to some fun new developments this episode! Since Sheldon (Jim Parsons) and Amy (Mayim Bialik) started a new project of their own. How will this coincide with the gyroscope project? And as Halley continues to grow and Bernadette’s (Melissa Rauch) maternity leave reaches an end, how does she feel about returning to work?

In the Hofstadter residence Penny tells Leonard about a reception for a new drug that her company is launching. Unfortunately, Leonard is unable to come to the reception as there is work time scheduled for the gyroscope project for him, Howard (Simon Helberg) and Sheldon. Amy hears this and is confused as she was scheduled at the same time to work on their project. Sheldon enters the apartment and despite the double-booking, assures Leonard and Amy that he will be able to handle working on both projects at the same time.

When it comes to project time Sheldon not only demonstrates that he is able to toggle back and forth between the projects, but that he also contributes more when given additional work. Of course, he also comes with water and lentil soup in sacks in his backpack to keep him hydrated and fed in the process. In one scene he settles a discrepancy between Leonard and Howard over the answer to a formula. In another, when Amy is about to get upset with him for not being there, he walks in and solves the issue to one of their equations. Later on in the laundry room Penny comes in to see Sheldon continuing to work as his clothes are being cleaned due to a lentil soup spill. Penny is impressed by Sheldon being able to do everythin,g but warns him about getting sick due to running himself too hard. Sheldon starts sneezing more frequently, a sign that he is getting sick.

At the Wolowitz residence Bernadette is left with a dilemma of her own: whether or not she’s ready to leave Halley and return to work. Stuart (Kevin Sussman) listens to Bernadette express her fears, but tells her that she should be talking to Howard about this. Her reluctance to tell Howard causes Bernadette to act very off with her husband, which he picks up on immediately. When Howard asks Stuart what he could have done wrong Stuart has him start listing the worst things he has done to Bernadette. The worst thing being that six years ago he forgot to tell Bernadette about the passing of her Great Aunt Trixie. Instead of telling her, Howard managed to send Bernadette cards around the holidays pretending they came from her Aunt. Later on Bernadette shares her fears with Howard which turns out to be a good thing, as Howard understands why she is scared to return to work. But now it is Howard’s turn to be scared as he finally reveals the truth about Great Aunt Trixie.

Sheldon’s sneezing takes a turn for the worse as he now has a nasty cold. Amy encourages him to go back to sleep, especially after he sneezes on the toast he prepared for her. Fast-forward to later when Sheldon is woken up by Amy in Leonard and Penny’s apartment, unaware of how he got there. Deducing that it was the cold medicine Sheldon starts to gather himself. As they begin to locate all of Sheldon’s items, the notebook that he was using to write down work for the gyroscope project is missing. Since it contains classified information the group jumps into action to locate the notebook. When searching the apartments prove fruitless Raj decides to check Sheldon’s phone to see where he went that day on his cold medicine. They track a strange stop to a cowboy-themed bar, which Sheldon vaguely remembers.

Taking the hunch Sheldon, Leonard and Raj end up at the cowboy bar where Sheldon is warmly greeted by everyone. Despite his spotty memory Sheldon asks the bartender Doug (Joel Murray) is he has seen his notebook, to which Doug pulls it from behind the bar. Unfortunately, what Sheldon does not remember is that he made the entire bar pinky swear to keep the contents a secret while he shared his findings. Slightly embarrassed and with his notebook in hand, Sheldon and the guys flee. Doug walks over to his chalkboard filled with Sheldon’s equations, deciding to finally clean it.

Later at their apartment Amy and Sheldon are relaxing on the couch. Using one of the sacks, Amy has filled it with tea so Sheldon can sip on it while underneath a blanket. In addition to making sure Sheldon stays hydrated Amy also pulls out her autoharp and starts to play “Soft Kitty” for her man. When she finishes Sheldon then asks her to play the song in German and Mandarin, to which she complies until Sheldon then asks to hear it in Navajo.

With Sheldon mending from overextending himself next week we get to see what really happens when Bernadette returns to work. And even more fun is on the horizon as Amy’s coworker Bert (Brian Posehn) finally finds a girlfriend. What will happen when he introduces this new girl to the gang? We’ll find out next time on The Big Bang Theory!