The Big Bang Theory – The Relaxation Integration

By: Jennifer Vintzileos

Last week we saw Leonard (Johnny Galecki) having to fix a big mistake he had made over radio airwaves. This week we finally get back to “Shamy” (Sheldon/Amy) Land as Sheldon (Jim Parsons) begins the foray into wedding planning. How will he cope with wedding madness and how will Amy (Mayim Bialik) handle him?

The episode begins at the Hofstadter residence with the gang eating dinner around the coffee table. Sheldon has taken it upon himself to send out “Save The Date” cards to their friends, but in his own fashion. He has not yet committed to a wedding date despite Amy believing that they had agreed upon June 15^th. Later that night Sheldon has a dream in which he is laid-back and carefree. He doesn’t get upset over being out of his favorite cereal and has a strange affinity for smooth jazz, producing a trumpet to play for his beloved. Unfortunately, Amy is woken up by Sheldon in the middle of his dream and is not sure what to make of his verbal stream of unconsciousness.

At Casa Wolowitz the next morning Bernadette (Melissa Rauch) tells Howard (Simon Helberg) that she will be taking out a new female coworker for drinks to not only be friendly, but also to gain another friend within her job. Howard points out that if this woman is single that they could introduce her to Raj (Kunal Nayyar) or Stuart (Kevin Sussman). Bernadette shuts down that idea immediately, explaining how she doesn’t want to scare away her new co-worker so quickly and would rather use that tactic if the relationship begins to go sour.

Meanwhile, at the Hofstadter residence, Amy explains to Penny (Kaley Cuoco) and Leonard just how relaxed Sheldon appeared in his dreams. Both Penny and Leonard are confused by this phenomenon, thinking that maybe Sheldon is going crazy. In fact, so crazy that they don’t believe it. But Amy has a different theory: that it’s possible the dream Sheldon is his subconscious trying to tell him to relax and let go a little bit. Later on that day, Amy returns to Sheldon in complete disarray over the wedding date, despite Amy’s suggestion that he needs to relax.

On Bernadette’s drink date with her new co-worker Ruchi (Swati Kapila), both Raj and Stuart just happen to show up. It’s clear that Howard has told them where to find Bernadette and her new co-worker, which spawns a verbal sparring between the two friends. As Bernadette sits there sipping her cranberry juice both Raj and Stuart not only question Ruchi about her life, but manage to get in jabs against one another over their financial status and career choices.

Later that night Sheldon has another dream in his relaxed state, but Amy is prepared with her phone – recording the entire conversation. The next morning as she plays the conversation for both Penny and Leonard, they’re not quite sure what to make of this alternate Sheldon. Unfortunately, Sheldon walks in as Amy is playing the recording and while she tries to hide the evidence it is too late. Instead, she plays the recording for Sheldon and explains to him that he has been talking in his sleep with a more relaxed manner, something Sheldon doesn’t believe. He also feels slightly violated as Amy recorded him without his knowledge.

The feud between Raj and Stuart continues later on at the comic book store with Leonard and Howard weighing in on the situation. Howard knows how upset Bernadette was over the guys barging in on her girl date with Ruchi, yet it does not deter the single lonely hearts from working out a compromise to invite Ruchi out later and see who clicks with her best. But, of course, the best plans go awry as Raj tries to hang out with Ruchi sans Stuart. Yet despite his best efforts Stuart arrives to the bar and as Ruchi goes to take a call and reappears, he reveals the truth behind his and Raj’s plan. In the end, Ruchi turns both of them down but wishes to remain friends. Stuart appeals to the “friends” notion, which satisfies Ruchi as she leaves the bar, not knowing that this is Stuart’s way of believing he still has a chance with her.

In the basement laundry room Penny sees Sheldon doing laundry on Wednesday, which is an off-night for him. Sheldon is bothered by his dream self, wondering whether or not his mind is keeping a whole other self hidden from him like a Jekyll/Hyde scenario. Penny suggests that maybe Sheldon’s mind is telling him to relax and let go a little, potentially try new ways to relax like yoga or meditation. Instead, Sheldon decides to try wearing flip-flops.

Unfortunately for Sheldon, the flip-flops don’t work out as he enters the apartment with one of his shirts wrapped around one foot and a messenger bag wrapped around the other. Amy is shocked by his state of disarray to which Sheldon sits her down and explains what happened. In the process of wearing flip-flops, Sheldon forgot to put on sunscreen on his feet. When he did; however, the sunscreen made his feet slippery and he lost one flip-flop in the sewer. Upon trying to retrieve it he encountered a rodent and gave up on the shoe, opting to wrap his foot in a t-shirt and then stepping in what he called “warm apple juice.” As Amy goes to ask about the other shoe Sheldon just wants to leave it at he stepped in a “melted candy bar.”

Because of this incident Sheldon has decided to take a step back from wedding planning altogether. Instead he gives the reins over to Amy, wanting her to make all the wedding plans that she would like and he will be there. Once Amy is sure she shares with Sheldon that she had been hoping for a June wedding overlooking the cliff at sunset. Biting his tongue, Sheldon agrees before deciding to go take a shower. He mumbles under his breath how he might need the cliff since it will be an outdoor wedding. In the last scene, Sheldon is yet again in a dream sequence but this time with all his counterparts. They ultimately decide to not allow relaxed Sheldon into their group.

Join me next week as Beverly Hofstadter (Christine Baranski) comes for a visit. What havoc will she wreak this time in Leonard’s life? Find out on the next episode of The Big Bang Theory!