The Big Bang Theory – The Romance Recalibration

By: Jennifer Vintzileos

As viewers have been treated to heavy Sheldon (Jim Parsons) and Amy (Mayim Bialik) storylines with a heavy dose of Baby Wolowitz and family, Thursday’s episode brought us a glimpse into the married life of Penny (Kaley Cuoco) and Leonard (Johnny Galecki). Has the honeymoon period come and gone?  Let’s find out!

Penny enters the apartment and is pleasantly surprised to find that Leonard has prepared a special evening for his wife. With a glass of rosé, pizza bagels and quoting prose courtesy of ‘NSync, Penny swoons for her husband’s romantic gesture. Unfortunately, Penny is brought out of her daze and the romance appears to be just fantasy, while the real Leonard lays on their couch in his underwear playing video games.

Later, Leonard and Sheldon resolve to have their own boys night, as Penny has gone over to hang out with Amy and Bernadette (Melissa Rauch) for a girls night. Leonard also shares with Sheldon that Penny has won a spa weekend and will be taking him. Meanwhile, Penny laments over the loss of romance in her marriage as she feels that Leonard no longer makes the same effort as he did in the beginning. Amy and Bernadette convince her to confront Leonard about this. While Penny feels that Leonard isn’t put in effort anymore, Leonard feels that he is the only one putting in any effort to begin with. This results in an argument that leads Penny to decide on taking Amy on the spa weekend instead.

At the Wolowitz residence, Howard (Simon Helberg), Bernadette and Raj (Kunal Nayyar) discuss current issues with Haley’s creaky bedroom floor. Bernadette’s father explains via phone that it will cost a lot of money to fix it, but Howard and Raj have a better plan: creating a path that avoids the creaks. While good in theory, the results become a little less successful, as Howard’s Misson: Impossible style movement around the room results in a ridiculous route.

As Penny and Amy prepare to head out for their spa weekend, the behavior between each couple is noticeable as Shamy (Sheldon/Amy) are now being overly affectionate with one another as Penny and Leonard exhibit the frostiest behavior we have seen yet. After the girls leave, Sheldon tries to console Leonard with hot tea. Leonard feels that he didn’t stop trying for his marriage, but rather followed a natural progression into their relationship. Realizing he needs to fix things, Leonard and Sheldon head to the spa.

The girls are prepared for their massage appointment and go to open the door only to find that Leonard and Sheldon are there instead. Penny feels that she needs space from her husband, but Leonard refuses to leave until they talk things out. Later on that day, as Sheldon muses over cucumber in water, the Hofstadters emerge and have decided that in order to face their new challenges and keep the romance alive, they want Sheldon to draw up a relationship agreement for them. Sheldon agrees and later, Penny and Leonard are seen reading over the agreement and signing them.