The Big Bang Theory Review: Penny and Leonard 2.0

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"The Recombination Hypothesis" was the 100th episode of The Big Bang Theory, so I was initially surprised that the focus was on Leonard and Penny's relationship. But actually it makes a lot of sense. When the show first premiered, it was a comedy about a nerd who had a thing for his hot neighbor. I'm not sure there was a better way to honor its history than to go back to that relationship.

A Romantic Evening

Where you surprised by the "day dream?" Unfortunately, I saw on Twitter that there was a "fantasy" aspect to the episode just as I was starting to watch it. I'll never know if I would have been fooled or not. But I think I would have been... even with that long, transitional glance across the hall between Leonard and Penny.

The telling of the story through Leonard's eyes worked for me. Do Leonard and Penny have a shipper name? I'm not sure, but I'm on that team. Whatever it's called. I know plenty of you out there hated when they were dating, but I enjoyed it. And now that Howard and Sheldon have paired up, I want Peonard! Or Lenny!

Getting the two of them back together on a comedy is a tricky thing. Instead of actually going through that horrid date and secret sex, Leonard "foresaw" what to avoid this time. I'm guessing he won't be questioning Penny's use of "always" anytime soon! I hope that when the sitcom returns, they are just back together and sharing the humor of their relationship.

While there were both serious and funny moments between Penny and Leonard in the day dream, the best lines were with the boys. Sheldon was absolutely clueless about why Raj and Howard were laughing at him.

The "wood" jokes were over the top, but they worked for the centennial episode. And once we learned that this was all in Leonard's head, it was even better. The game conversation was at the most basic level what makes Sheldon funny. He is very smart, but so clueless! They were jokes that 12-year old boys laugh at, but count these nerds in that group, too (not sure what that says about me, though).

While Bernadette and Amy were around, this anniversary episode brought us back to the origins of the comedy and what made us fall in love with these nerds and their gorgeous neighbor.

Are you glad that Penny and Leonard seem to be getting back together? Or do you hope that after their real dinner date they decide it's not going to work? And, did you laugh at the "wood" jokes. I did. It's okay. You can admit that you laughed too!

Relive the episode's jokes (wood references included) in our section of The Big Bang Theory quotes.

The Recombination Hypothesis Review

Editor Rating: 4.7 / 5.0
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User Rating:

Rating: 4.7 / 5.0 (145 Votes)

Carla Day is a staff writer for TV Fanatic. Follow her on Twitter and on Google+.

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The Big Bang Theory Season 5 Episode 13 Quotes

Oh, no. They sent the wrong Spock. Live long and suck it, Zachary Quinto.

Sheldon

Penny: You mean, like a date?
Leonard: Not like a date, a date.