'The Big Bang Theory' Recap: 'The Leftover Thermalization'

On tonight’s Big Bang Theory a magazine publishes an article about Leonard and Sheldon’s work, but only Sheldon’s name is mentioned. Sheldon breaks the news to Leonard and tries to console him. Leonard is disappointed, but tries to look on the bright side by pointing out at least they are talking about the theory.

Penny tries to cheer up Leonard by shopping for things online that she thinks he would like, such as a helicopter with a camera that you can control from an iPad. That is when Sheldon drops in and tells Leonard he called the magazine. They explained that they made the decision to only include the lead scientist. This angers Leonard since it was his idea.
Raj and Bernadette help Howard go through his mom’s things. When they arrive at the house, they find that the power went out. Howard realizes that his mom’s last meals are all in the freezer defrosting. They decide to invite the gang over for dinner.

Sheldon rants to Amy on the way, saying that Leonard just had an idea while he did all the work. Meanwhile, Leonard rants to Penny, as he feels his idea was the reason the research started.

Howard has a tough time getting the dinner ready, realizing he will never talk to his mom again. He is able to pull through and put together a nice dinner with friends and good food. Stuart is also in attendance, as he is still staying at the house. Around the table, they discuss and debate a number of topics, which leads to Sheldon and Leonard bickering about the article. Sheldon argues that plenty of people could have had Leonard’s idea, but not everyone could work out the math the way he did. Leonard points out that no one else in the world had the idea except for him. Bernadette yells at the two of them and tells them to go into the living room. She follows them in and berates them loudly enough for everyone at the table to hear. In a voice very similar to Mrs. Wolowitz, she stresses that Howard is going through a difficult time and they are going to go back inside and behave or they don’t get dessert. This is when Howard finally realizes that Bernadette does sound like his mom.

The episode concludes with the gang sitting on the couch after dinner, full from the enormous amount of food they ate. Sheldon finds that another publication mentioned their paper, and Leonard’s name is recognized. They all let out an unenthusiastic “yay.” Bernadette, who walks down the stairs with Tums, receives more enthusiasm.