The Big Bang Theory – Recap & Review – The Staircase Implementation

photo: cbs

The Big Bang Theory
The Staircase Implementation

Original Air Date: May 17, 2010

Theresa – Staff Writer
theresa@thetwocentscorp.com

After Penny overhears a loud argument between Leonard and Sheldon because of an attempted 2-degree thermostat increase, Leonard comes to her seeking refuge and gets to telling her the story of when he met Sheldon. The intent is to prove that somehow, in a way she doesn’t believe possible, the present-day Sheldon is actually an improvement!

So, flashback to seven years ago, and Leonard is visiting a potential apartment. Though it’s a wonder he can see where he’s going beyond the massive curly ‘do he was sporting.

He runs into the person moving out of the apartment, who tells him to run. When he takes the (*gasp*) elevator up to the 4th floor, he accidentally knocks on 4B, now Penny’s apartment. He is greeted by a large black man in a hot pink evening gown, who tells him that Dr. Cooper is the “crazy guy across the hall” in 4A.

Time to meet Flashback Sheldon! First of all, Sheldon of 2003 does not make eye contact when he bombards you with random questions. Instead, his eyes blink nervously toward the floor as Leonard answers that the original Star Trek is superior to TNG, but Picard was the better captain. This answer means Leonard is allowed to enter the bare apartment, furnished by lawn chairs and whiteboards. While Sheldon had obviously claimed a chair, the difference is the chair faced the TV at a direct angle to discourage conversation entirely. My, how he’s grown. After more questions and agreements on bathroom time, Leonard is cleared to see his potential room, which is currently decorated with the words “Die Sheldon Die”. Still, having triumphed over all the barriers, Leonard signs the roommate agreement and moves in.

Penny tells Leonard she has no sympathy for his predicament since all the signs were there. He does get some sympathy for Sheldon walking in on him and Joyce Kim back then though, because he didn’t give 12 hours notice of coitus. Personally, I think the fact that he even got her to the apartment in 12 hours with that hairdo makes up for that. But actually, he owes Sheldon, because Joyce Kim turned out to be a North Korean spy.

Next, we finally hear what happened to the elevator. One day, Sheldon returned home to find Leonard with Howard (soul-patched and fro’d) and Raj (trying to be Don Johnson), on a new couch he did not approve. Of course, he eventually finds a spot, but after driving the guys out with his irritation. They come back to the apartment later to get some government-developed rocket fuel for Howard’s model rocket. When Leonard won’t listen to Sheldon and mixes it wrong, he runs out into the hall to get rid of it, but Sheldon sees he’s miscalculated his time and pushes Leonard out of the elevator, leaving the fuel to explode inside. He then calmly says “you’re welcome” for saving his life.

First of all, best flashback ever. Second of all, coolest rescue ever! This was such an incredible and well-done episode, and finally answers the nagging question of WHY Leonard puts up with all of this. I think I really needed that resolution, with Sheldon going a tad overboard sometimes. I loved the little touches of him predicting the long life of “Firefly” and the short life of the iPod though. Great stuff. Oh, and what was Penny doing seven years ago? She was in high school, taking pregnancy tests.

So what was your favorite part of the flashback? Leave your Two Cents!

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