The Big Bang Theory Recap: The Gang Meets Raj’s Girlfriend and Penny’s Haircut Changes Again

We still don’t know where Sheldon is going to live or why Penny really gave up acting, but The Big Bang Theory finally got back to its roots last night. Maybe it took episode four for the cast’s new salaries to kick in and the funny to start? Or maybe the writers finally realized summer vacation was over and not coming back? (Chuck Lorre is going to kill me, isn’t he?) Whatever it was, it worked, and it worked perfectly. There are no worst moments this week—only good ones. (We’re good now, right Chuck?)

Amy Farrah Fowler: If Mayim Bialik doesn’t finally win an Emmy next year, I’m going to make one for her. Whether she was questioning Penny’s social life or Sheldon’s sudden comfort level with Raj’s new girlfriend, Bialik was on fire. I’m finally going to say it: I prefer the scenes with Amy, Bernadette, and Penny over ones with Sheldon, Leonard, Raj, and Howard. At least their characters are evolving.

Laura Spencer as Emily: We still don’t know why Emily is so enamored with Raj, but I’m loving her chemistry with the rest of the cast. She’s straightforward, socially mature (at least more so than Lucy, who kind of got on my nerves), and already at odds with Penny (over Raj, no less). More of this, please.

Howard v. Stuart: I should call this “the Battle of the Bubala.” As ridiculous as the Stuart/Mrs. Wolowitz scenario is, it’s utilizing Kevin Sussman and Simon Helberg outside of the comic book store, which is a welcome change.

Finances: When is talking about finances on a sitcom a good thing? When it’s used as a plot point to showcase that the guys have grown up (just a tad) and can have honest conversations with their significant others. It’s never a sexy conversation, but it’s a necessary one, and the writers made it as funny as it could be when the guys decided they wanted to buy the comic book store. Best of all? Howard’s fake sentimental comic book story about his dad. Kudos to Bernadette for calling BS.

Penny’s Haircut: We won’t be seeing Penny’s haircut or suits as the next big trend, but if we’ve learned anything, it’s that you guys love talking about her hair and sudden transformation. Anything that gets us talking about The Big Bang Theory more (as crazy as it may be), I’m totally for. Still, with that said, what was up with those business suits last night?! She’s a pharmaceutical rep, not a 1950s secretary!

Best Line of the Night: This line from Amy when Sheldon discovers Raj’s new girlfriend is a doctor and wants her to examine him. “I’m with him three years—nothing. She’s with him two minutes, and he’s taking his pants off.”

What did you guys think of last night’s Big Bang Theory? Was it your favorite episode of the season?