The Recombination Hypothesis

The Recombination Hypothesis is the thirteenth episode of the fifth season of the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory. It is also the show's 100th episode. It is set to air on January 19th, 2012.

Summary
Leonard, who broke up with Priya a while ago, asks Penny out to a spur-of the-moment romantic dinner for two, and the duo contemplates on their relationship.

Title Reference
The title refers to the idea Leonard has that he and Penny should go on a date, or perhaps even become a couple again.

Quotes
Leonard: Penny, do you have plans for dinner tonight?

Penny: You guys going somewhere?

Leonard: No, I mean, just you and me.

Penny: Like a date?

Leonard: Not "like a date", a date!

Amy and Bernadette: Woooooooooo!!!

Penny: I'm not gonna make a big deal out of this, it's just dinner!

Sheldon: The reason you're fixated on a good-natured simpleton like Penny: She's the exact opposite of your first romantic attachment - your mother.

Leonard:'' So what do you think? Are we gonna get back together?''

Penny:'' Woah! ''

Howard: ''Ooh, 8:30. You and Penny decide to go out of town and paint the town beige?''

Leonard: You're 30 years old and you live with your mother!

Raj: Guess it didn't go well.

Sheldon: Ah, we don't know that!

Leonard: (From his room) AHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Howard: How about now?

''Sheldon: Again, not enough Evidence. For all we know he's being murdered.''

Sheldon: (Excited about his life-sized cutout of Spock) Oh goody, oh goody, oh goody!

Penny: ''Do not overthink this! ''(Puts her arms around Leonard and kisses him)

Leonard: So, uh, do they have a name for a first date with someone you used to go out with?

Penny:'' Oh, that's a good question. How about "awkward'?''

Leonard: ''That sounds right. (pauses) Hey, how about if we pretend we're actually on a first date? See how that goes.''

Penny: Okay.

Leonard: So, Polly, tell me about yourself.

Penny: It's Penny.

Leonard: Oh sorry, yeah, awkward...

Penny: (laughs)'' Okay let's see, I'm from Nebraska, and ever since I was little girl I dreamed of moving to LA and becoming a movie star, anyway, after four years of acting lessons and waiting tables, I've done a hemorrhoid commercial and a production of Anne Frank above the bowling alley. So, you know, dreams do come true! Your turn!''

Leonard:'' Ah, let's see, I am an exprerimental physicist at Caltech. Most of my research is with high-powered lasers and, oh, I've just gotten a big government grant to see if they can be used to knock out incoming ballistic missiles.''

Penny:'' Wow! Can they?''

Leonard: Oh, God no! (Penny laughs) The money's pretty good, and I use the equipment to make my own Bat Signal.

Penny: (laughs)'' Bat Signal? What are you, some kind of nerd?''

Leonard: Not "some kind of nerd", I am the king of nerds!

Penny: (laughs) What does that mean?

Leonard: Uh, it means, if anyone displeases me, I don't help them set up their printer.

Penny: (laughs) You are so funny!

Leonard:'' Good! Remember that when I take my shirt off.''

Trivia

 * This episode marks the 100th episode of the show, which began airing on September 24 2007, with the Pilot episode.
 * Many of the scenes seen in the episode are similar to that of the Pilot episode, like Leonard and Sheldon looking at Penny who's in her apartment, and certain items of clothing.
 * Sheldon assumes that Leonard's first romantic attachment was his own mother.
 * Sheldon is dissapointed to discover that a 73"x19" Mr. Spock cardboard standup poster he ordered is a portrayal of Zachary Quinto from the J.J. Abrams Star Trek film series, not of Leonard Nimoy from the original series.

Videos
339px|The Recombination Hypothesis Promo (Canadian Version)

342px|The Recombination Hypothesis promo

339px|The Recombination Hypothesis sneak peek

The Recombination Hypothesis Extended Promo

Reference

 * Based on the summary posted by the user ennaxor.
 * Based on the press release on spoilertv.com
 * Chuck Lorre reveals the plot of the 100th episode.