The 2003 Approximation

"The 2003 Approximation" is the fourth episode of the ninth season of the sitcom The Big Bang Theory. The episode aired on Monday, October 12, 2015.

Summary
Leonard and Penny finally tell Sheldon that they moved in together leaving Sheldon very upset. He wants to go back to a time when he had no emotions in before he met Leonard, Penny and Amy. Raj and Howard attempt to form a after Stuart wants to host live music in his store.

Extended Plot
Leonard, Penny and Sheldon are returning from the  with an extremely happy Sheldon until he notices them taking his new bin to Penny's apartment. Penny tells Sheldon that since they are it makes sense for Leonard and her to be. Sheldon gets upset claiming that the whole wonderful was to deliver bad news to him. Also there was not a bin at the container store that could hold his disappointment in them.

Sheldon is visiting Bernadette to seek  comfort and  about Leonard moving out since his relationship with Amy is strained. Bernadette was honored that he turned to her until she found out she was a picked after his mother, {{Beverly|Leonard's mother]] and his MeeMaw were unavailable making her seventh. And {{w|Siri}} kept giving him the same {{w|answer}}s. Sheldon is feeling abandoned so Bernadette suggests that this is an opportunity to find a new {{w|roommate}} since he has had others in the past. Sheldon muses that maybe he can find a better roommate and then rub that in Leonard's {{w|face}}. Bernadette then suggests that he take Stuart as his roommate; however, Stuart says that he is much too happy living with them.

Stuart, Raj and Howard are hanging out at the comic book store and Raj finds a {{w|comic book}} where {{w|Archie Andrews|Archie}} is taking on {{w|Predator}}. Howard wonders how that could be, while suggests that {{w|Jughead}} may be a {{w|Terminator}}. Stuart asks if the guys know any{{w|musician}}s since he would like to have live {{w|music}} in the comic book store a few times a week giving the place a "staying in business" {{w|vibe}}. Any kind of music is fine, but the music he likes best is free. Raj and Howard have always wanted to play together. Raj wants to play {{w|filk music}}, a mixture of {{w|folk}} and {{w|sci-fi}} themes. Howard likes the idea and even has a band name he has been holding since middle school - "{{w|Footprints}} on the {{w|Moon}}".

Sheldon and Leonard are going over the {{w|paperwork}} to officially ‘unroommate’ him. Leonard has to return his apartment {{w|key}} and then as his new {{w|neighbor}} Leonard gets an apartment key. Also he signs up for the ten year roommate {{w|reunion}} and turns ownership of the {{w|couch}} over to Sheldon in every {{w|parallel universe}}. When it gets to the point for Leonard to sign and make it official he hesitates and says “Man, this is harder than I thought”. Sheldon says “Oh, it’s easy..L..e..o..n...” And then Leonard signs out of {{w|annoyance}}.

Raj and Howard are working on their filk {{w|song}}. Raj suggest a {{w|David and Goliath}} story where the {{w|Norse god Thor}} goes up against {{w|Indiana Jones}}. The {{w|hammer}} versus the {{w|whip}} which blows Howard mind. "Thor and Dr. Jones. One plays with {{w|lightning}} and the other plays with bones." Raj figures that like with the {{w|Ark of the Covenant}}, they are going to melt {{w|faces}} off with their song.

Sheldon starts to {{w|interview}} new roommates and asks the {{w|chemist}} which {{w|element}}on the {{w|periodic table}} is too big for its {{w|britches}}. The answer is {{w|argon}}. The next candidate is asked if on average he {{w|odor|smells}} better or worse than he does at the present time. The next one is dismissed because he has a {{w|band aid}} on his {{w|arm}}. Up next he describes the {{w|candidate}} as being {{w|healthy}} and in the {{w|sciences}}, though he is running a {{w|credit check}}. He is on {{w|skpe}} with Amy who is not going to be his roommate. Eleven people have walked out on him. He asks Amy what has happened to him. He used to be disengaged from his emotions and as {{w|happy|happier}} then. Feeling are a part of life she replies. Sheldon blames Leonard, Penny and Amy with {{w|poison}}ing him with emotions. He's like the {{w|Tin Man}} who was given a heart by the {{w|Wizard of Oz|wicked wizard}}. Amy tells him that he is missing the point of the {{w|movie}}. Then Sheldon is like {{w|Pinocchio}} made into a real boy due to the wicked {{w|Gepato}}.

Penny and Leonard are going out to eat and Leonard suggests the usual weekly Thai food. Penny tells him to choice anything he wants since he no longer lives with Sheldon. He goes through a dozen possible {{w|cuisine}}s and finds himself most comfortable with Thai food. They run into Sheldon in the lobby who has reset himself to 2003. He is too emotionally vulnerable and is going back to his last stable version like any {{w|operating system}} before he met Leonard and had to deal with emotions. Therefore he doesn't know who they are since he hasn't met them and they must exit the premises before he calls the {{w|police}} on his new stylish {{w|flip-phone}}.

At {{w|dinner}}, Leonard is still worried about Sheldon. Penny explains that he is fine and is just a man in his 30's living like he is a man in his 20's. Leonard doesn't live with him anymore. he can set the {{w|thermostat}} to whatever {{w|temperature}} he wants and go to the {{w|bathroom}} at any time. He still feels like they are abandoning him though he can still be contacted on {{w|Facebook}} once they invent the {{w|iPhone}} in his {{w|universe}}.

Bernadette and Amy are having a drink with Amy saying that she can't believe Sheldon ran a credit check on her. Bernadette offers her a $1000, to take in Stuart if she is looking for a roommate. Amy declines, however, Bernadette thought she had a {{w|pasty}}, {{w|weirdo}} shaped hole in her life. Amy defends him as {{w|quirky}}, but {{w|brilliant}} and {{w|insightful}}. Calling him a weirdo is not fair, she adds as...

Penny and Leonard visit the {{w|apartment}} which is now empty except for two {{w|lawn chair}}s, the {{w|TV}} on {{w|cinder block}}s and a giant {{w|cable}} reel for a {{w|table}} just as Leonard found it when he first met Sheldon. It is now 2003. Everything has been moved into the spare {{w|bedroom}}. Sheldon is dealing with everyone abandoning him. Leonard tells him that they are just across the hall. "{{w|Talk to the hand}}" replies Sheldon to Penny says that people don't say that now or in 2003.

Raj plays the song for Emily who thinks that it is cute, but that she likes music that people can {{w|dance}} to. Also she gives him several {{w|word}}s that rhyme with {{w|boulder}} that Raj couldn't come up with. Raj tries to dance to it and then tells Howard the problem. Howard insists that their group does songs that make people think. Finally Howard realized that Raj played it for Emily and he was acting on her comments. Howard accused her of breaking up the band, quits himself and orders Raj out of his house. Raj storms out, but they quickly reunite.

Leonard and Penny have brought over dinner with Penny telling him that it seems like a big change, but it isn't. Sheldon disagrees and starts that Amy is gone and soon they will be. They'll buy a {{w|house}} and they'll all get together a couple times a {{w|week}}, then a couple times a {{w|month}} followed by special occasions "Like when Howard and Bernadette {{w|divorce}}, or when Raj’s creepy girlfriend finally tells where she hid his body or at Amy’s {{w|wedding}} when she is marrying someone better than me." After that Penny feels bad and then agrees that they won't change things that much and they will stay at his place. At least half the time, adds Sheldon to which Penny agrees to Leonard's confusion. Sheldon is going to be like their {{w|dog}} which is fine with Sheldon who runs of to create a revised roommate agreement.

The gang (except Amy) is at the comic book store listening to Howard and Raj. Everybody is polite and acting like they are enjoying the music. When the song ends, Stuart asks if they could play something that they could dance to.

Critics
To be entered.

Trivia

 * Leonard and Penny finally move in together.
 * Sheldon fears that Amy could meet and marry someone else which upsets him greatly.
 * Despite breaking up with him, Amy still defends her relationship with Sheldon.
 * Bernadette is once again dismissive of Sheldon and Amy's relationship by trying to offload Stuart on to her instead.
 * This could also be considered a reversal of the events in "The Spoiler Alert Segmentation" (S8E12), where Amy wanted to move in with Sheldon, but he didn't want to.
 * First time Laura Spencer is listed in the opening credits.
 * Sheldon gives his new neighbor a key to his apartment despite Penny already having an emergency key.
 * Amy only has two appearances in this episode.
 * 1. One furious appearance via Skype shouting at Sheldon about not wanting to be a roommate and stuff in the scene of Sheldon alone in his apartment.
 * 2. One physical appearance in the wine bar having a discussion about a few things with Bernadette including defending Sheldon.
 * Amy shares no scenes with the six other members of the gang (Howard, Raj, The 'Lenny' couple, Emily and Stuart) in this episode and she also does not come to the comic book store with Stuart, Sheldon, Bernadette, the 'Lenny' couple and Emily to watch Raj and Howard sing their song at the end of this episode.

Quotes

 * Sheldon: Blue Icees and a trip t the container store? It’s like I died and went to the post-mortem, neuron-induced hallucination commonly mistaken as heaven.


 * Sheldon: Thank you for letting me come and speak with you.
 * Bernadette: Of course.
 * Sheldon: My relationships with Amy and Penny are currently strained, I’m turning to you for female comfort and encouragement.
 * Bernadette: Aww. I’m honored.
 * Sheldon: I tried reaching out to my mother, but she was in Bible study. Leonard’s mother is on a book tour. My Mee-maw is taking a nap and after a while Siri started repeating her answers.
 * Bernadette: So I’m your seventh choice.
 * Sheldon: Yeah, I know. Top ten, pretty exciting.


 * Sheldon: Just a few more signatures and then we’ll be finished. Initial here to acknowledge that you returned your key. Okay.as my future neighbor, I’d like you to have a key. Initial here to acknowledge that you received it.
 * Penny: I’m proud of you. You’re really taking it well.
 * Sheldon: It’s not like I’ll never see you two again. Which brings us to article 23 subsection C-please check here to reserve your spot at the ten year roommate reunion.
 * Leonard: Do I really have to do that now?
 * Sheldon: NO, but if you want chicken and get stuck with the fish, that’s on you. All right. oh and lastly, please initial here to confirm that ownership of the living room couch is hereby transferred to me in perpetuity all throughout the universe and all alternate universes except for those universes where owning a couch is forbidden by the hive queen. In which case, all glory to the hive queen. All right, all that’s left is to sign and date the document, and we will officially no longer be roommates.
 * Penny: What’s the matter?
 * Leonard: It’s hard than I thought.
 * Sheldon: Let me help you. L..E..O..N
 * Leonard: That helped. (Signed)


 * Sheldon: What happened to me Amy? Years ago I was completely disengaged from my feelings. I’d say it was a happier time, but I was disengaged from my feelings, so who can tell.
 * Amy: I don’t know how to help you. You know, feelings are a part of life.
 * Sheldon: they didn’t used to be. You and Leonard and Penny, you all poisoned me with emotions. I was like the Tin man perfectly content until that even wizard gave him a heart.
 * Amy: I don’t think that was the point of the movie.
 * Sheldon: Fine. Then I was like Pinocchio before that jerk Gepato made him a real boy.
 * Amy: There you go.


 * Penny: Well, honey, you don’t live with Sheldon anymore so you can have anything you want.


 * Sheldon: I realize I’ve become too emotionally vulnerable so like an operating system I’m restoring my life to the last stable version, which was in 2003, the day before I met Leonard.
 * Leonard: You heard him. No.
 * Penny: Hang on. You actually thin it’s 2003?
 * Sheldon: No, just because I’m living my life like it was twelve years ago doesn’t mean I’m delusional. And since it’s 2003, I don’t know who you are, so please exit the premises before I call the police on my stylish new flip phone.


 * Bernadette: I thought you just might have a pasty weirdo-shaped hole in your life.
 * Amy: Hey, I know Sheldon’s quirky, but he’s also brilliant and insightful. I think calling him a weirdo is a little unfair.


 * Leonard: Buddy, I know moving in with Penny feels like a big change, but it’s not.
 * Sheldon: How can you say that? Amy’s gone, and you two are married now, so it’s only a matter of time before your gone too.
 * Penny: Okay, you don’t know what’s going to happen.
 * Sheldon: No, I do. Eventually you’re going t want more space, and you’re going to move into a house.. And then instead of dinner a couple of times a week, it’ll only be a couple of times a month, and then only on special occasions like when Bernadette divorces Wolowitz. Or- or-or like when Kootherpali’s weird girlfriend admits where she buried his body. Or Amy’s wedding where’s she marrying someone better than me.