'The Big Bang Theory' Recap: 'The Raiders Minimization'

This weeks episode of The Big Bang Theory, “The Raiders Minimization,” starts off with Sheldon having Amy watch the Raiders of the Lost Ark for the first time. Amy says it was entertaining, but points out that Indiana Jones plays no role in the movie. She explains that the outcome would be the same whether he was in it or not. After further explaining what she means to Sheldon, he realizes that she is right and his jaw drops.

On their way up to their apartments, Penny shows Leonard that she bought the book that his mom wrote because it was on the recommended reading list for her psychology class. This bothers Leonard since he says it contains embarrassing stories from his childhood such as potty training, bedwetting and masturbation. After Penny brings it up, Leonard discusses a part in the book called the “breast-feeding crisis.” He explains that he favored the left breast so his mom became a little lopsided. Penny laughs and says: “oh my god, you still go left!”

At the university cafeteria, Raj asks Leonard and Howard which celebrity he looks like. Without hesitation, Howard says Halle Berry. He explains he wants to know because he and Stuart are putting a dating profile online and it is a question.
Sheldon walks over to the table reading “Pride and Prejudice” because it is Amy’s favorite. He wants to ruin it for her since she ruined his favorite movie for him.

At Penny’s apartment, Penny brings up the book again. She asks Leonard why he wore his mom’s makeup and “balloon boobies” when he was 5. Leonard defends himself saying it was green makeup because he was being the Hulk. The balloons were his muscles. Penny points out that it says he was wearing a bra as well. Leonard tells her it was to keep his muscles from sagging. He then tells her that he was the Hulk because he wanted to smash out of his house. He never liked how he was always part of his mom’s experiments like when she made a fake Easter egg hunt with no eggs and waited to see how long he would look for him to stop looking.

At Raj’s apartment, Raj is putting make-up on Stuart for his dating profile picture. Stuart has trouble taking a good picture, as he keeps making weird faces. The two discuss their dating profiles and the way they answered certain questions.

Sheldon finds that “Pride and Prejudice” is a flawless masterpiece and he cannot ruin it for Amy. He decides to look at the comic "Marmaduke" since Amy enjoys it. He however, is unable to find a plausible way to ruin that.

Leonard is about to go to a sports bar with Penny to see her friends. He is not very interested in gong and makes that clear. Penny asks if it is because he is upset about her reading him mom’s book. He denies it, but when he realizes it can get him out of going to the bar, he tells her that's the reason. He suggests that they stay in, order take out, and watch The Hobbit with commentary track.

Howard goes to the lab to ask Leonard if he is ready for lunch. He finds that he was having sex with Penny. When she leaves, he tells Howard that every time he pretends to be sad about his mom, Penny does anything for him.

Amy and Sheldon video chat. Sheldon invites Amy to a spontaneous date night to watch Little House on the Prairie.

Bernadette mentions to Howard that he was really quiet during dinner. He tells her that he was just sad about his mom and his childhood. He tries to get her to let him take a bath with her. She doesn’t buy it, so he confesses that he is doing it because it works on Penny.

Raj and Stewart let their profiles go live. The watch as they begin to see women looking at their profile.

Sheldon and Amy start to watch Little House on the Prairie. As soon as it starts, Sheldon starts to pick it apart. Amy realizes what Sheldon is doing. She explains to him that when he is angry, he should just tell her rather than seek revenge. Sheldon explains to her that she did indeed ruin it and he is mad. She apologizes.

Leonard walks into Penny’s apartment and she is wearing lingerie on the couch for him. When he starts to take his pants off, Penny shows him that she has his mom on webcam. Penny tells her that Bernadette told her everything and walks away.

Raj and Stewart learn that 162 women read their profiles, but none of them sent them messages. They start to feel down about themselves. They decide to go to a bar instead, but find that being rejected there is worse.

The episode ends with the gang watching Raiders of the Lost Ark, trying to discover a way to argue with Amy's observation. They fail.