The Commitment Determination

"The Commitment Determination" is the twenty-fourth episode and season finale of the eighth season of the sitcom The Big Bang Theory. The episode aired on Thursday, May 7, 2015.

Summary
Sheldon pushes Leonard and Penny to choose a for their  and deals with a crisis in his own relationship with Amy. Raj wonders about his compatibility with Emily and the Wolowitzes want Stuart to move out.

Extended Plot
Sheldon and Amy are making out on the. Amy can't believe that it's been five since their first date. Sheldon agrees and then asks if he should start watching. Amy loses her and asks if that was what he was thinking about. That was one of many things replies Sheldon. Was he thinking about Amy? He was thinking about her because he was going to ask her if he should watch the television show. Sheldon tries to kiss her again and Amy waves him off. Sheldon as usual misinterprets her and says that she the. She protests that he killed the mood talking about the Flash. Sheldon feels that weighing the pros and cons of starting a new television show is very important because it will go on for years and Sheldon is wrestling with a big. "That's the commitment issue [he is] wrestling with?" asks a disturbed Amy. Amy asks him, "Sheldon, do you understand the irony of your fixation on a man with super speed, while after five years, all I can get out of you is a distracted make-out session on a couch?" Sheldon is still not good with irony, but can occasionally get better with. Can Amy do that? "Oh, sure I'd love to," quips Amy. Sheldon then tells her to start whenever she's ready.

Raj and Emily are looking around the comic book store as Stuart tells them he is closing up early. Bernadette is serving and you don't have to not ask him twice. Emily picks up a severed with  sticking out of it and asks Raj if it would have a great  for her. Raj is more of a or a  type of guy. Due to his lack of enthusiasm, she starts to put it back; however, Raj doesn't want her to and then offers to it for her. "Sold", shouts Stuart. Emily tells him that he doesn't have to do that. Stuart pipes in that there are no returns.

Leonard and Penny are coming up the stairs after visiting the. Leonard has a really intense experience. After they picked up some, Leonard was by some  at the. Entering the apartment, Sheldon wants some help with his relationship with Amy; however, Leonard wants to first take care of his  bite. Penny asks if he was talking just before she got. Sheldon replied that he was. Penny remarks that that is probably the. Sheldon explains that he asked her about the Flash series while the were like a couple of  under the. Penny tells him that the expects the attention to be on her. Sheldon corrects her that he did ask her about the Flash series. Penny turns the conversation over to Leonard who also starts talking about the commitment to watching years of a new series.  almost killed Sheldon. Penny jumps in that he was talking about a TV show on their date night. No, it was their fifth. Penny tells Leonard that what Sheldon did was as as Leonard thinking that being bitten by a goat would give him the powers of a goat.

Raj is helping Howardette with and talking about his twisted girlfriend Emily. She wants to have with him in a. Bernadette figures that everyone should do there own thing and doesn't see any harm in it. How about one and one  who is afraid of being alone? Raj wonders of this relationship is right for him. Howard figures that he doesn't have the guts to with her especially since she is willing to have sex with him. Bernadette doesn't think he will break up with Emily either. Raj reminds him that he has been complaining about Stuart living there and hasn't told him to move out. They also don't want to hurt somebody's feelings.

Sheldon, Leonard and Penny are having the dinner that Leonard cooked. Sheldon still hasn't heard from Amy in over. He thinks that she should have figured out she was by this time. Penny agrees with Amy that Sheldon has been taking their too. After five years they haven't even. Sheldon calls that foreplay. He also insists that Leonard and Penny is also taking theirs slowly, so Penny waves her under his. Sheldon doesn't understand and waves his at Penny. When asks Sheldon. Penny counters that they are not in a rush. Leonard and Penny explain that they are currently focusing on their. They will set a date when they are ready.

Bernadette finds out that Stuart must have eaten her. It's time to kick him out; however, other circumstances kept them from doing it. Getting the comic book store running, the, he was. Howard says that he did not have, he always looks like that. They plan to talk to him that. Howard is going to drop the. Bernadette loves it when Howard takes charge. Howard indicates that Bernadette was the, which does not impress Bernadette.

While cleaning up dinner, Leonard asks Penny why they haven't picked a date. They are not in a rush, they are concentrating on their and they are in a really good place. They haven't even discussed any plans. Indoor, because Sheldon won't come to an wedding. Her Dad isn't paying foe it, so they decide on a small one. Penny wants it in a. Leonard wants it to be. Penny wants released which Sheldon objects to. The wedding plans sound perfect, but they still don't have a date notes Sheldon. They both tell him to shut up.

Starting their graveyard, they have a beautiful, the , the  and the of Elizabeth McNulty who  at the same age that Raj currently is. Emily feels like she is so alive there. Emily asks Raj if he's afraid of. He says no, and that he's more scared of her a little bit.

Sheldon apologizes to the guys that he got them upset. Leonard thinks that it is good he got them talking about the wedding. Sheldon perks up that even when he is complaining he still ends up making the a better place. Now he wants to tackle Leonard's and Penny's. Penny now wonders why it's so important they pick a date. Leonard says that they each other and it doesn't matter if it's  or fifty years from now. Penny doesn't want them to wait until they are and gross. Then Penny sits next to Leonard and tells him that she is free tonight, and suggests that they go to to get. Leonard is in complete agreement. They embrace, kiss and look very happy together. "After all these years," remarks Sheldon. He is very happy for them, but also wants them to get out of his spot.

Howard sees Stuart arrive at their. Howard tells Bernadette to be {firm and show no weakness. He leaves and Bernadette tells him to come right back. Howard asks Stuart to sit down and he agrees but first goes into the. He replaced Bernadette's yogurt and bought Howard his favorite with Crunch Berries cereal. Bernadette mentions that he has been living there a long time. Stuart agrees and says that he may sell, but the real are sitting in front of him. Stuart gets a from his  whom he thinks is going to wish him a Happy, but he can call him back. Finally the Wolowitzes serve Stuart a with a  on top of it and sing  to him instead of serving him an eviction notice.

Raj and Emily are making out, though Raj is distracted. Raj mentions that the two of them are very different. Emily thinks he wants to break-up with her. Raj reacts that she is just on the inside and he is dark on the outside. Emily tells him that if he wants to breakup, he should do it and not make her do it for him. Emily has it all wrong because Raj is trying to get around to tell her that he loves her.

Penny and Leonard are in his on the way to Las Vegas. Penny finds a they can get married in that will serve them  shaped. Leonard wonders if the gang will be mad at them. Penny tells him that it's only about the two of them. First they got together, then they got un-together and got to know everything about each other and now they have no and no. Leonard says, "No surprises." Penny adds, "No regrets." Leonard seems happy, but wants no between them and tells her about a  make-out session he had with a  when he was out on the North Sea. To Penny she feels that he's trying to the wedding; however, Leonard just wants to be. Penny thinks she can get past it. At least they weren't at the time. All of the has died out in the car. She still wants to get married. Penny agrees that they love each other, but when Leonard calls it the happiest day of their lives, Penny asks him to not push it.

Sheldon is with an unhappy Amy and both have been thinking about relationships. Amy says that being his is so challenging both  and. She has been incredibly for years. Sheldon strongly disagrees. Amy says, "This isn't easy to say because I love you, but I need some time to take a step back and reevaluate our situation." Sheldon is shocked, but agrees. She says and ends the call. Sheldon consults the  on his desk. He reaches into the and pulls out a ring box with an engagement ring. "Well Gollum, you're an expert on rings. What do I do with this one?" he asks the statue.



Credits

 * Guest starring:
 * Laura Spencer as Emily Sweeney
 * Teleplay: Chuck Lorre, Jim Reynolds & Maria Ferrari
 * Story: Steven Molaro, Tara Hernandez & Jeremy Howe

Critics

 * Jesse Schedeen for IGN - The takeaway from all of this is that there's definitely something wrong at the core of the Leonard/Penny romance, something that a quickie wedding certainly won't fix. It's a complex problem. And that's good. This show needs more complexity in its character dynamics....(T)here was definitely something sweetly tragic about a despondent Sheldon holding a conversation with his Gollum statue. It was an unusually somber but very effective way to close out the season.
 * IMDB user reviews

Trivia

 * This is the second episode that doesn't end with studio laughter since it ends in a serious note without a punchline. The first one was "The Comic Book Store Regeneration" (S8E15).
 * Sheldon was thinking about proposing to Amy, once again proving that even though Sheldon has commitment issues, he is somehow able to get over them quickly.
 * Stuart's middle name is revealed to be David by Howard.
 * Raj is only seen with the "Howardette" couple in the kitchen scene at the Wolowitz house in this episode.
 * Leonard's need to be honest also got the better of him when he confessed to Priya about kissing Alice in "The Good Guy Fluctuation" (S5E7).
 * Sheldon pushes Leonard and Penny to pick a date for their wedding after a whole season of never discussing any aspect of the wedding.
 * Raj tells Emily that he loves her, but from earlier comments to Howard and Bernadette, he may just be scared to be alone.
 * Sheldon asks Amy whether he should watch The Flash television show even though it has already reached the end of the first season.
 * While talking about Sheldon's fallout with Amy, he and Leonard bring up the anxieties he had to endure while watching Smallville.
 * This episode is the second time one of the guys has wondered about the possibility of getting an animal's abilities from a bite. Raj mused eloquently about inheriting the abilities of a rat in "The Alien Parasite Hypothesis" (S4E10).
 * Second episode where a character finds out about a mistake Leonard made, causing him to ask what he should do about it leading to a response only applicable for future situations. First was "The Griffin Equivalency" (S2E4).
 * As Sheldon and Amy are making out on the couch, a "whoop" can be heard from two members of the studio audience.
 * The episode ends with Amy taking a step back from their relationship while Sheldon was planning to take a step forwards; while despite still agreeing to get married, Leonard and Penny don't end up convinced about the idea. Furthermore, it's not ultimately revealed if Stuart was told to leave the house after Howard and Bernadette celebrated his birthday, nor if Emily forced Raj to tell her the truth after noticing he had a problem with her.
 * As a result, this is so far the episode with most cliffhangers on it in the series.
 * Amy only has two appearances at Apartment 4A with Sheldon in this episode:
 * 1. She has one physical appearance with Sheldon on the couch in the opening apartment scene of this episode.
 * 2. She has on appearance via Skype when she is informing Sheldon that she's going have some space from him at the ending apartment scene of this episode.
 * Despite some people including Mayim Bialik suggesting that they don't know the true story of Sheldon's ring and what it truly means, the writers at  confirmed that it was definitely an engagement ring because Sheldon wants to move his relationship with Amy to the next level.
 * GOOF: Penny says that she never did anything like Leonard did on his North Sea expedition, but in "The Prom Equivalency", Penny does mention about making out with the high school football captain during one of the proms she attended even though they both had other dates.
 * Sheldon finally seems to be at a stage where he enjoys initiating kissing and being more intimate with Amy (touching her leg while they make out). Penny quipped that Sheldon would do that when he finally reached puberty.
 * Penny squealed after Leonard agrees and she knows that she is getting married.
 * At the end when Sheldon mentions and begins to pull out a ring, the gasps can be heard from the audience.
 * Amy shares no scenes with the seven other members of gang (Raj, the 'Howardette' couple, Stuart, The 'Lenny' duo, and Emily) throughout the rest of this episode.
 * In "The Bon Voyage Reaction" (S6E24) Leonard was concerned that he might get himself in trouble on the voyage. Penny assured him that if he was going to get in trouble it would be while he was still in town. Turns out he did get himself in trouble while away.
 * Emily shares no scenes with the "Lenny" duo, the "Howardette" couple and the "Shamy" duo in this episode.
 * Penny is seen wearing the same shirt she wore in "The Gorilla Dissolution" (S7E23). This, coincidentally, is the shirt worn when she and Leonard officially became engaged.
 * First stumble in the Shamy separation is the fault of Amy who unknowingly blocks Sheldon's marriage proposal to her.
 * Howard hints that Emily's father is deceased. That is when Raj is talking to him and Bernadette about Emily, Howard says "Well, if it’s her father’s grave and they didn’t get along, then you know she holds a grudge".
 * Bernadette and Howard are only seen at the Wolowitz house in this episode.
 * Raj and Emily are only seen with Stuart in the comic book store scene in of this episode.
 * Raj, Emily, Howard, Bernadette and Stuart share no scenes with Amy, Leonard, Penny and Sheldon in this episode.

Quotes

 * (Sheldon and Amy making out on the couch)
 * Amy: Can you believe it’s been five years since our first date?
 * Sheldon: I know. Do you think I should start watching "The Flash" TV show?
 * Amy: That’s what you’re thinking about?
 * Sheldon: Well, one of the things.
 * Amy: Are any of them me?
 * Sheldon: Yes. I thought, “I can’t decide if I should watch the Flash TV show. I know, I’ll ask Amy.” Anyway..
 * (Tries to kiss Amy).
 * Amy: What are you doing?
 * Sheldon: You’re right, you did kind of kill the mood.
 * Amy: I didn't kill anything. You did, talking about your stupid TV show.
 * Sheldon: Excuse me. Starting to watch a television show that might run for years isn't a decision you take lightly. I’m wrestling with a big commitment issue here.
 * Amy: Really? That’s the commitment issue you’re wrestling with? Sheldon, do you understand the irony of your fixation on a man with super speed, while after five years, all I can get out of you is a distracted make-out session on a couch?
 * Sheldon: Irony’s not really my strong suit. But I have been getting better with sarcasm, if you want to give that a try.
 * Amy: (sarcastically) “Oh, sure, I’d love to.”
 * Sheldon: Whenever you’re ready.


 * Emily: If I stick a light bulb on this, wouldn't it make a great lamp for my bedroom?
 * Raj: You’re kidding, right?
 * Emily: Oh, is this freaking you out?
 * Raj: No, I guess I’m more of a Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel kind of guy. Maybe Pier 1 if I really want to cut loose.
 * Emily: All right. Never mind.
 * Raj: No, no, no. Hey, you should totally get it. In fact, I’ll buy it for you.
 * Stuart: (enthusiastically) SOLD!
 * Emily: Raj, you don’t have to do that.
 * Stuart: Too late. No returns!


 * Leonard: That was really intense.
 * Penny: Well, now we know. Next time we go to the farmer’s market, the order is petting zoo first, then, we by vegetables.


 * Sheldon: Amy’s mad at me and I’m not clear why.
 * Penny: Okay. Were you talking before she got upset?
 * Sheldon: Yes.
 * Penny: That’s probably it.


 * (The scene at the Wolowitz kitchen where Bernadette is angrily stirring meat loaf stew in a saucepan while Howard and Raj are setting the table)
 * Raj: You guys ever notice that Emily has a bit of a twisted side?
 * Bernadette: (she's asking Raj crossly) You mean ’cause she has weird tattoos?
 * Raj: No, because she wants to have sex with me in a graveyard.
 * (Bernadette silently opens her mouth crossly and Raj looks at Howard).
 * Howard: (he's asking Raj with soft excitement) One more time?
 * Raj: She and I were supposed to watch the new Avengers movie tonight, but it was sold out. So I said, what else do you want to do? She said, let’s go to a cemetery and do it on somebody’s grave.
 * Howard: Like, a random person or somebody she knew?
 * Raj: What difference does it make?
 * Howard: Well, if it’s her father’s grave and they didn’t get along, then you know she holds a grudge.
 * Bernadette: (through her smile of fury) The only issue is that everybody has their own thing, and as long as it’s two consenting adults, I guess I don’t see the harm in it.
 * Raj: Well, what if it’s one consenting adult and one adult who pretends to consent because he’s afraid of being alone?
 * (Bernadette continues stirring the meat loaf stew with a little angry frown)
 * Bernadette: (snaps at him with double fury) Well, then I guess bring a blanket. The grass gets damp at night.
 * (Raj is sad while Howard has a shifty smile at Raj whilst he is dressing the salad)
 * Raj: I don’t know, guys. Maybe this relationship isn’t for me. (sits down) Maybe I should break up with her.
 * Howard: (chuckles) Right. You’re gonna break up with a girl who has sex with you. Can you believe this guy?
 * (Bernadette now strides up to her husband in small fury)
 * Bernadette: (she's still a tiny bit cross) I think if Raj wants to break up with a girl, he can do it.
 * Howard: (in a muttering voice) How are you saying that with a straight face?
 * Bernadette: (laughs loudly) I don’t know.
 * Raj: You guys are being jerks.
 * Howard: (sits down and puts the salad on the table) Buddy, other than Jenny Craig, you’ve never broken up with a girl in your life.
 * Raj: You’re one to talk. You’ve been complaining about Stuart living here for the past year. I don’t see you showing him the door.
 * Howard: That’s not the same thing. Emily’s a person. Stuart’s more like an infestation, something you spray for.
 * Raj: Baloney, okay? You two are as afraid of hurting someone’s feelings as I am.
 * Bernadette: (with an extremely cross smile) That’s not true. We were just laughing right in your face.
 * (She touches Raj's shoulder for a second and exits the kitchen).


 * Penny: Okay, I don’t think she’s wrong about you going too slow in the relationship.
 * Sheldon: Too slow?
 * Penny: Yeah, you've been going out for years. You haven’t even slept together.
 * Sheldon: That’s right. It’s called foreplay. And I could make the case that you two aren't moving forward in your relationship.
 * Penny: Uh, hello. (Waves hand with ring).
 * Sheldon: Hello. (Waves his hand in a similar fashion)
 * Penny: No, Sheldon. We’re getting married.
 * Sheldon: But, you've been engaged for over a year now and you don’t even have a wedding date.
 * Penny: Well, we will. We're just not in a rush.
 * Sheldon: Okay.
 * Leonard: We’re gonna set a date.
 * Sheldon: Okay, if you say so.
 * Penny: Good.
 * Leonard: Really good.
 * Penny: I’m focusing on my job.
 * Leonard: And weave been busy with our paper.
 * Penny: So busy.
 * Leonard: Yeah, we’ll pick a date when we pick a date.
 * Sheldon: Okay.
 * Penny: You know, I can see why Amy’s mad at you.
 * Leonard: Yeah, shut up, Sheldon.


 * (The scene of a fierce Bernadette entering the lounge of the Wolowitz house while Howard is sitting on the couch with his laptop)
 * Bernadette: (she's asking Howard crossly) Did you eat all my yogurt?
 * Howard: (he's asking Bernadette rather shiftily) You mean the one that makes ladies do the thing that ladies pretend they don’t do even though they do?
 * (Bernadette is so very cross indeed with Howard's jokey question)
 * Bernadette: (she speaks with a huge angry whisper) You know which yogurt I mean.
 * Howard: (quietly and shiftily) I didn’t touch it. Must have been Stuart.
 * (Bernadette sighs angrily)
 * Bernadette: (she's extremely upset) Maybe Raj is right. Maybe it’s time we tell him he needs to move out.
 * (She slides down on the couch with extreme sadness)
 * Howard: We should have done it months ago.
 * Bernadette: (she is still very cross) I know, but his store was reopening, and then there were the holidays, and then he was sick.
 * Howard: Yeah, right. Sick. (He slams his laptop lid down with anger) He didn’t have jaundice. He just looks like that.
 * (Bernadette puts on angry smile, Howard rubs his hands on the top of his legs and then he rubs his nose with them and outs them down the top of his legs and starts thinking seriously to himself)
 * Bernadette: (she is still really sad and cross) All right, tonight’s the night.
 * Howard: Agreed. When he gets home, I’m dropping the hammer.
 * Bernadette: (she rubs his leg with joy) Oh, I like it when you take charge.
 * Howard: Oh, I’m not taking charge. You’re the hammer.
 * (Bernadette now says nothing and continues smiling with ginormous anger at what Howard had said)


 * Leonard: So, why haven’t we set a date?
 * Penny: You know why.
 * Leonard: Well, of course I know why. But just for fun…why?
 * Penny: Not in a rush, busy with work…
 * Sheldon: Things are good right now.
 * Penny: Really good.
 * Leonard: You still want to get married, right?
 * Penny: Oh my God, yes. Why would you even ask that?
 * Leonard: I don’t know. Because we don’t have a date?
 * Penny: Well, you want a date. Pick a date.
 * Leonard: It’s not just the date. We haven’t talk about anything. Big wedding, small wedding, indoor, outdoor…
 * Sheldon: Outdoor? I can RSVP “no” right now.
 * Penny: Indoor it is. Big or small?
 * Leonard: Is your Dad paying for it?
 * Penny: I doubt it.
 * Leonard: Okay, two friends each.
 * Penny: All right, well I want it in a church.
 * Leonard: Fine. I want black tie.
 * Penny: Fine. I want to release butterflies.
 * Sheldon: Seriously? Airborne worms?
 * Leonard: Okay. Well, then it’s settled. Small indoor church wedding, black-tie, no butterflies.
 * Penny: Sounds perfect.
 * Leonard: Great.
 * Sheldon: You still didn't pick a date.
 * Penny: Stay out of it.
 * Leonard: Shut up.


 * Emily: Mmm. It’s a beautiful night.
 * Raj: Oh yes, we've got the moon and the trees and… Elizabeth McNulty, who apparently died when she was the same age I am.
 * Emily: Makes you feel alive, doesn't it?
 * Raj: So does enjoying a meal at a well-lit restaurant, but here we are.
 * Emily: You aren't scared, are you?
 * Raj: Of ghosts, no. Of you, a little bit.


 * Sheldon: Well, look at that. Even when I’m causing problems, I make the world a better place. Hey, next why don’t we tackle your penchant for whining and Penny’s love for the old glug-glug.


 * Penny: Why is everyone so concerned with us setting a date? We’re committed to each other. We’re happy. A ceremony isn't gonna change anything.
 * Sheldon: So you’re never getting married? It’s his whining, isn't it?
 * Leonard: Sheldon, I’m not a whiner.
 * Sheldon: It’s amusing he doesn't hear it.
 * Leonard: Look, all she’s saying is that we are in love. So it doesn't matter if we’re getting married tomorrow or a year from now or fifty years from now.
 * Penny: Ew, 50? We’ll be old and gross.


 * Penny: (she is at looking at Leonard lovingly) Um, I’m free tonight.
 * Leonard: Are you saying you want to get married?
 * Penny: Vegas isn't that far away.
 * Leonard: I’m in. Let’s do it.
 * Penny: (Penny squeals)
 * Sheldon: After all these years. I’m really happy for the two of you.
 * Penny: Aw, thank you.
 * Leonard: Thanks.
 * Sheldon: Now get out of my spot.


 * (The scene at the Wolowitz house of Howard shutting the drape and turning to his wife).
 * Howard: Bernie, Stuart just pulled up.
 * (Howard now tells his wife his plan)
 * Howard: So remember, the key is to be firm. Show no weakness.
 * Bernadette: (she is mega-fully sad) Right.
 * Howard: Good luck.
 * (Howard runs up the stairs and Bernadette now gets extremely angry).
 * Bernadette: (she yells to him with gigantic anger) Howard Joel Wolowitz, you get back here.
 * (Howard now turns back down the stairs in fury)
 * Howard: (he mutters with anger) Never should have told you my middle name.
 * (Stuart arrives excitingly)
 * Stuart: Hey, guys.
 * Howard: Hey, you got a minute?
 * (Stuart strides to the kitchen with his bag of goodies)
 * Stuart: Sure. Uh, let me just put this stuff in the fridge. I felt bad for finishing your yoghurt, so I bought more. And, Howard, your favorite fruit is in season. (he takes out a packet of cereal and shakes it to Howard) Crunch Berries.
 * (Stuart exits to the kitchen, Howard storms down onto the couch and Bernadette suddenly tells Howard off).
 * Bernadette: (she is still completely cross) Don’t let that sway you.
 * Howard: It’s hard not to. They taste so much better than real berries.
 * (Stuart returns to the lounge)
 * Stuart: What’s up?
 * Bernadette: (with a smile of firmness) So, we need to talk.
 * (The graveyard scene of Emily kissing Raj).
 * Emily: (concerned) You okay?
 * Raj: I think we should talk.
 * (Emily gets more worried. Pan to the scene at the lounge of Wolowitz house of Stuart asking a happy question).
 * Stuart: Is everything okay?
 * (Howard just had a quiet nod and Bernadette tells Stuart her speech)
 * Bernadette: Well, you’ve been living here a while now.
 * Stuart: I know. I may sell comic books at work, but the real superheroes are sitting right in front of me.
 * (Howard struggles with feeling proud by Stuart's remark and Bernadette now smiles proudly by this)
 * Bernadette: (happily) Yeah.
 * (Howard now has a smile of quick excitement)
 * Howard: His middle name is David. Go.
 * (Bernadette and Stuart now smile sweetly at each other. Now comes the graveyard scene of Howard holding Emily's hands while he talks to her)
 * Raj: (sadly) Look, I care about you a lot, but we are very different people.
 * Emily: (asking Raj crossly) Are you breaking up with me?
 * (Raj looks at Emily for a couple of seconds)
 * Raj: No, no, I’m just pointing out that you’re dark on the inside and I’m dark on the outside.
 * (Raj thinks for a bit and the scene pans back to the lounge of the Wolowitz house)
 * Bernadette: (informing Stuart sadly) So, anyway, what I’m trying to say is…
 * (Stuart's phone rings)
 * Howard: (informing Stuart) You need to take that?
 * Stuart: It’s just my dad, probably calling to wish me a happy birthday.
 * (Howard and Bernadette look crossly at each other for one second)
 * Stuart: I’ll call him back.
 * (He then claps his hands and asks Howard and Bernadette a quick question)
 * Stuart: You were saying?
 * (Both Bernadette and Howard are silently cross and they both say nothing. It now pans to the last graveyard scene where Emily is still very angry with Raj)
 * Emily: (sad with double anger) Look, Raj. Be honest with me. If you want to end things, just do it. Don’t expect me to do it for you.
 * (Raj thinks for a couple of second and she now tells he the truth)
 * Raj: End things? I’m trying to tell you that I love you.
 * (He starts kissing her again and the scene finally pans to the cupcake and candle scene in the lounge of the Wolowitz house)
 * Howard and Bernadette: (singing slowly to Stuart): Happy birthday to you.
 * (Stuart quickly blows out the candle, he twists himself while he looks up at Howard and Bernadette for a few seconds and both Bernadette and Howard now have quiet 'here we go again with Stuart not leaving us' expressions on their faces).


 * (The scene of Leonard driving Penny to Vegas)
 * Penny: Wow, there’s a Denny’s in Vegas you can actually get married in.
 * Leonard: Doesn't sound very romantic.
 * Penny: Yeah, but we could get heart shaped pancakes.
 * Leonard: I’m sure we’ll find a decent chapel.
 * Penny: Yeah. This is crazy!
 * Leonard: I know! Do you think that people will be mad?
 * Penny: Maybe. But this isn't about them; it’s about us.
 * Leonard: It is. It is about us.
 * Penny: And you know what the best part is? We took our time. I mean, we met, we were friends for a couple of years, then we got together, and then we got untogether, then we worked out all our problems, and now we know everything about each other, we can just go forward with no surprises and no regrets.
 * Leonard: Right. No surprises.
 * Penny: And no regrets.
 * Leonard: Uh, well there’s one thing I feel I should tell you.
 * Penny: What?
 * Leonard: You know, so we can go into this with no secrets between us.
 * Penny: What?
 * Leonard: Remember, uh, a couple years back when I was on that research ship on the North Sea?
 * Penny: Yeah.
 * Leonard: Okay, well, there-there was a lot of drinking and craziness going on..
 * Penny: No, you told me.
 * Leonard: Okay, um.. Well, there was this girl.
 * Penny: What did you do?
 * Leonard: Nothing, really. It was just kissing.
 * Penny: And then what?
 * Leonard: And then nothing. I stopped it. But it still bothers me…I wanted you to know.
 * Penny: All right.
 * Leonard: Did you ever do anything like this since we've been…
 * Penny: Nope, never.
 * Leonard: Oh, that’s too bad.
 * Penny: You know, can I ask you a question?
 * Leonard: Hmm?
 * Penny: Why are you telling me this now?
 * Leonard: Well, like I said, we’re about to get married and I want a clean slate. No secrets.
 * Penny: Really? Because to me, it’s seems like since we’re about to get married, and you’re trying to sabotage it.
 * Leonard: Would you rather I didn't tell you?
 * Penny: No, I don’t want there to be secrets between us.
 * Leonard: See, now I’m confused. I mean. What-what am I supposed to do?
 * Penny: Um, keep your mouth off other women.
 * Leonard: I can do that. Uh, uh, from now on this mouth, you and food, that’s it.
 * Penny: Okay.
 * Leonard: Yeah?
 * Penny: Look. Like I’m not happy this happened, but I think I can get past it. I mean, we weren't engaged at the time, and it was just kissing.
 * Leonard: Right.
 * Penny: Just kissing.
 * Leonard: It wasn't even very good. She was a smoker. I’d just been seasick…
 * Penny: Okay. That’s enough. Stop talking.
 * Leonard: So…we’re still getting married.
 * Penny: Yes.
 * Leonard: Because we love each other.
 * Penny: Yes.
 * Leonard: And today is the happiest day of our lives.
 * Penny: (Laughs) Don’t push it.


 * Amy: (On Skype) Hello.
 * Sheldon: Hello. Listen, I've been thinking a lot about relationships and how difficult they can be and I think...
 * Amy: I've been thinking about them, too, Sheldon. Being your girlfriend is so challenging. Emotionally, physically, I've been incredibly patient for years.
 * Sheldon: Strongly disagree. Go on.
 * Amy: Okay, well…this isn't easy to say because I love you, but…I need some time to take a step back and reevaluate our situation.
 * Sheldon: Oh.
 * Amy: I hope you understand.
 * Sheldon: Okay.
 * Amy: Bye, Sheldon. (Amy signs off)
 * Sheldon: (Turning to Gollum statue on his desk). Well, Gollum. You’re an expert on rings. What do I do with this one? (Takes an engagement ring out of his desk).