Big Bang Theory: Polar Express

The Big Bang Theory:

"The Monopolar Expedition"

The Big Bang Theory is definitely the show I don't watch that I most wish I did. Unfortunately, due to a cruel twist of fate, the programming PTB put this show up in the same time slot as three of my absolute favorite shows--Gossip Girl, Chuck and Greek--as well as another show--Dancing with the Stars--that I have to monitor because of my allegiance to Shawn Johnson. I don't have enough eyes or VCRs to handle 5 shows at once. So, most regrettably, Big Bang Theory has fallen by the wayside.

It is my goal to catch up on as many TBBT reruns this summer as I can. (Impressive goals I have, huh?) And, since Chuck bowed out a little early with it's (fabulous) season finale, I now have the capability of checking in on TBBT now.

I caught last week's episode ("The Classified Materials Turbulence") and thoroughly enjoyed it. Admittedly, I am not a big fan of bathroom humor. When I was in London a few years ago, we saw several plays that absolutely relied on bathroom humor, and I always seemed like the one person who was not loving it. In particular, one (really quite good) production of The Hypochondriac reached its climax with a rousing musical number about anuses. Everyone else in the theatre was basically beside themselves with hilarity, and I was like, "Just make it stop." With that background knowledge, you now know that it is meaningful that even I thought Harold's space-toilet-gone-awry and the potty jokes it inspired were pretty darn funny. (My favorite line was Raj's "You're right. It's a very important scientific breakthrough for two reasons: number one...and number two.")

Last night's season finale ("The Monopolar Expedition") was pretty darn amusing as well. I'd totally sign up to spend three months at the North Pole with Sheldon. Does that make me crazy?

The problem with blogging TBBT is that I found myself trying to write down virtually every line everyone was saying. It got a little ridiculous, but here's the highlight list:

• Sheldon fooling Leonard into thinking he made a mistake with his science.
• Sheldon: "The entire family's fascinated by what time it is and whether people know it."
• Leonard: "He offered to send you to the North Pole?"
  Sheldon: "Yes. In fact, he was quite enthusiastic. He said, 'Frankly, if I could send you tonight, I would.'"
• Sheldon: "I'm a theoretical physicist, a career I chose in no small part because it's indoors!"
• Sheldon: "...I'll be the scientist who confirms String Theory. People will write books about me. Third-graders will create macaroni art dioramas depicting things from my life!"
• Sheldon's friends' glee when he says he tentatively accepted the invitation to join the North Pole expedition.
• Sheldon: "Well, there are others who might be more qualified, but the thought of interviewing them gave me a stomach ache."
• Raj: "But if we're part of the team that confirms String Theory, we could drink for free at any bar in any town with a university that has a strong science program!"
• Harold: "I could also be the engineer of the crossbow that kills Sheldon."
• Sheldon's reaction to Penny knocking on the door back at him.
• Leonard: "Did she seem upset to you?"
  Sheldon: "No. Did she seem upset to you?"
  Leonard: "No."
  Sheldon: "Oh, good. I got it right. Are you upset?"
  Leonard: "A little bit."
  Sheldon: "Two for two! I'm on fire."
• Leonard, Raj and Harold trying to use their "tools" in the freezer.
• Raj's mom: "If the other guys jumped into the Bay of Bengal and tried to swim to Sri Lanka, would you follow them?"

  Raj: "If you were standing behind me nagging, I might."
• The Slanket has seriously got to be the product most used as a comedic prop on TV these days.
• Sheldon: "I know you're concerned about disappointing me, but I want you to take comfort in the knowledge that my expectations of you are very low."
• How did Harold and Raj talk their parents into letting them go?
• They really shouldn't have taught Sheldon how to make jokes. He's getting too good at it.
• So will the boys really confirm String Theory? That would be a major game-changer. That one would not only change the course of the show but also the course of the real world, right? Awesome.

(photo: CBS)