The Thanksgiving Decoupling

"The Thanksgiving Decoupling" is the ninth episode of the seventh season of the  The Big Bang Theory. The episode first aired on November 21, 2013.

Summary
Sheldon protests when the gang drags him to Mrs. Wolowitz's house for Thanksgiving. Meanwhile, Penny and Leonard must deal with a mistake from her past.

Extended Plot
In Apartment 4A, Sheldon and Leonard are trying to prove to Penny that mathematically cow tipping is impossible. Penny doesn't buy that because she believes she has done it at the age of 16 though she was drunk. Raj wonders how she can push over something that is sacred. Penny has seen Raj eat a million hamburgers. Raj comments that a cow can be both sacred and delicious. Penny returns to the cow tipping argument saying that she can clearly remember the cow standing up and the cow lying on its side. Leonard wonders if she was drunk and lying down. Penny then remembers that that would explain why the sky was on its side. Howard enters and Penny asks his opinion on cow tipping. He thinks that based upon trying to roll his mother over when she was snoring, he doesn't think that it's real. He also announces that his mother has invited everyone over for Thanksgiving dinner. Sheldon tells him that people tell him that a bald face refusal without an explanation is rude. So he tells Howard that he would love to go, but it sounds awful. Penny tells him that they were planning to have dinner in apartment 4A. Since Bernadette's mom is out of town, Howard would like help since he never has anything to say to his father-in-law Mike and he could use the help. Sheldon tells him thank-you, but that sounds even worse. Leonard thinks that it might be nice to have Thanksgiving without Sheldon complaining all day about his cooking. Sheldon insists that that every year Leonard prepares a terrible meal and every year he criticizes it. Do their traditions mean nothing to him? Leonard, Penny and Raj agree to go. Howard again asks Sheldon. He says fine, but if the food is delicious and Thanksgiving is ruined, then it's all on Leonard's head.



A pre-dinner brunch is being served at apartment 4A, Sheldon is still complaining about having to go. Amy tells him that she expects him to be on his best behavior. Sheldon states that being dragged off to dinner akin to being an African slave being dragged away from their home and put under the yoke of the White man. Amy wants to know if he is comparing going to dinner at the Wolowitz's the same as one of the greatest tragedies in the history of mankind. Sheldon agrees. Penny tries to help by saying that he can have a nice Thanksgiving anyway. She had a one in Las Vegas once when she was dating Zack. It was more fun than she thought. They gambled, went to one of those cheesy wedding chapels and had a real good turkey dinner which was surprising since it was at a strip club. Leonard asked her if she went to a chapel. Penny thinks it's funny that they had one of those silly fake weddings. Everybody looked shocked. Leonard asks if she know that they are real. Thinking he's joking, she tells them that they aren't. Leonard disagrees. Now worried she denies it again. Everybody tells her that they are real. Penny timidly says that it didn't seem real. Sheldon then asks her that at any point did Las Vegas seem on its side. Penny looks shocked and starts to hyperventilate.

At the Wolowitz house, Bernadette lets her father in carrying two six packs. She remarks that he brought beer for everyone. He reluctantly agrees that it's for everyone. He really wanted to have a quiet day and watch the game. Bernadette tells him that he can have a quiet day and watch the game there. Mrs. Wolowitz and Howard then shout at each other that her medicine isn't working. Her gout is acting up. Howard quips that an apple pie a day doesn't keep the doctor away. He gave her enough pain medicine to choke a ...well... her. Bernadette realizes that they will have to do all the cooking. Howard has a better idea. Bernadette snaps that he better not expect her to do all the cooking. Howard corrects her that Raj could do all the cooking. That's fine for Bernadette.



Shamy and Lenny are driving to Mrs. W's house. Amy finds it great that there is not traffic and they were sailing. Sheldon agrees since it's like they are on a ship coming from Africa to America. Amy finds it completely inappropriate to keep comparing himself to a slave. "Yes, Miss Amy," he sarcastically replies. Leonard cannot believe Penny is married to that idiot, Zack. Penny says that the whole ceremony was a goof and why is he making it such a big deal. Sheldon suggests that the reason could be because she said yes to Zack, but to Leonard's proposals of marriage she always said no. Penny wonders how she can undo the deed. Leonard hopes that she can get a quick annulment. Amy looks up grounds for annulment. The first is that they were unable to consummate the marriage which causes Sheldon to bust out in laughter. Then, she lists fraud, bigamy, want of understanding. Penny asks what "want of understanding" means. "Ding, ding, ding. We have a winner!", announces Amy.

In the Wolowitz kitchen, Bernadette thanks Raj for stepping in as cook. He quips that it wouldn't be Thanksgiving without an Indian supplying the food. Bernadette wants Howard to go out and keep her father company. Howard feels that he doesn't want him there. He's just the creepy little guy that is having sex with his daughter. Bernadette replies not to be silly because he loves you. Howard disagrees. That's not true insists Howard. Then, Bernadette snaps that she does that crap for him all the time and to get out there.

Later in the living room: Howard is trying to talk to Mike about his wife's trip to Arizona and gets an "Uh, huh." His mother once went to the Grand Canyon and rode one of the mules into the canyon. Long story made short, they had to shoot the mule. As usual, this didn't amuse Mike. The doorbell rings and Howard goes to let in the others. Amy tells him "Happy Thanksgiving." Sheldon tells him that the food smells wonderful and asks if someone is slaving away in the kitchen. Amy gets mad and shoves him through the door. Penny quietly shoves a bottle of wine in his hand and nonchalantly thanks him for having them. Howard asks what wrong. Leonard replies that she is mad at him for finding out she is married to Zack. Howard thinks that that is hysterical. Penny grabs the wine back from Howard, telling him that she cannot believe that she feels bad for opening it in the car.

In the kitchen, Amy enters and asks if they need any help. Raj asks her to get the gravy boat. Raj puts Bernadette on corn, gravy and yams. Amy gets rolls, cranberries and keeping Bernadette out of the marshmallows. Raj is going to baste his ass off. Keep focused. Amy then announces that Penny married Zack three years ago. Raj and Bernadette turns around shocked with Bernadette having a marshmallow in her mouth.

In the living room, everyone else is watching television. Howard asks Mike if he ever played football, and he had a little in college. Howard then jokes that he once got tackled in the hallway at school and everybody cheered. No reaction. Leonard found annulment papers and tells her that he will print them out at home. First, Penny says "Fine" and then admits that she screwed up and doesn't want to talk about it anymore. Leonard can't imagine why she is mad at him. Penny leaves to get some air. Sheldon remarks that he knows nothing about women, but still suggests that he doesn't follow her. Mike tells Leonard to listen to "Stretch".

Leonard states that he is not the bad guy, he is the victim. Howard feels that maybe Zack is the victim since Leonard is sleeping with his wife. Mike wants to weigh in with his thirty-five years of marital experience. He wants everyone to be quiet so he can watch the game. After the next play, Mike wants to know how they couldn't make a first down. Sheldon then analyzes their problem. Mike seems very surprised. Sheldon reveals his father made him watch football before he could do his homework. Penny returns. She spoke to Zack, who is willing to sign the court papers and is on his way over now. Leonard wants to know why she invited him over on Thanksgiving. Mike asks if he was to weigh in again on this conversation. Leonard and Penny leave. Mike then asks Sheldon what the football teams should do next. Sheldon gives his opinion on what is necessary since he expects a blitz. Howard says that he enjoys a good blitz with sour cream. No one laughs at his blitz joke. Then, Howard's mother calls down about the blintz.

Over in the dining room, Leonard is talking to Penny. He can't understand why Penny invited him over on Thanksgiving. Penny's response is that he wouldn't shut up about it. Zack had nothing to do, so she invited him over. Raj pops in from the kitchen door so Penny tells him that they will be quieter. Raj retorts that he needs them to speak up since he is running the blender. Leonard tells him to cook for one more since Penny has invited Zack. "What?!", shouted Amy and Bernadette from the kitchen. Raj adds that like his gravy, the plot thickens.

Sheldon returns from the bathroom complaining about all the clowns staring at him. Howard says that that is why he sits. Mike sarcastically says, "Yea, that's why." Mike then asks Sheldon about the Dallas Thanksgiving Day game when it snowed. Sheldon gives the details of that game. Mike was so pissed that he wanted to shoot the television. Sheldon reveals his father actually did shoot it. Howard leaves to get him a beer. Mike asks about Sheldon's dad who died when he was fourteen. Mike says that he is sorry. Sheldon adds that the manager of the local liquor store was also sorry. Howard brings Mike another beer. He gives it to Mike who thanks him. Mike then tells Sheldon that he was never old enough to have a beer with his father. Sheldon's father did try to give him one for his high school graduation, but he was only eleven and his mother wouldn't let him do it. Mike found that amusing and told him that he was going to have a beer with him. Sheldon accepts and they drink to his father. Howard adds that he never had a beer with his father. Sheldon excuses him and says that he and Mike were having a moment together.

In the kitchen, Amy is talking about how she can't believe that Penny married Zack. Raj wonders what she saw in him. Bernadette finds him sweet, tall and handsome. Amy notes his broad shoulders and good hair. Raj then wonders what she sees in Leonard. Howard wanders into the kitchen, complaining about Mike and Sheldon bonding together and ignoring him. Amy mentions the week that Sheldon ignored her after he got a Rumba vacuum cleaner. Howard describes how they are watching football, having a beer together, toasting Sheldon's deceased father and ignoring anything Howard says. The doorbell rings. Bernadette notes that Zack has arrived. Bernadette, Amy and Raj leave with Howard left alone. Raj hands him the spoon to stir the gravy. Bernadette pops back in to tell Howard she will finish listening to him in five or ten minutes and doesn't forget to fetch a marshmallow when leaving.

In the dining room, the kitchen crew is staring at Penny, Leonard, and Zack as they very slowly get the silverware ready. Leonard feels that Zack didn't have to hurry right over on Thanksgiving. That was fine with Zack, since he was doing anything and since he was married to Penny, Thanksgiving is a time for family. Penny just wants to get it over with. After they sign, the paperwork will be filed with the court on Monday. Zack claims that he does not want to sign the annulment papers because splitting up is rough on kids. Penny insists that they don't have any kids. Zack wants to make sure since she didn't know they were married until this morning. Penny points out that neither of them thought the marriage was real. They were married by an Elvis impersonator. Zack points out that they could never afford a real Elvis. Leonard quips that Penny would marry Zack over himself. Then they get into a fight about him always pointing out her mistakes whenever she screws up. Zack calls out Leonard and tells him that he's not cool. Leonard is not the kind of guy he wants dating his wife. Leonard assures him that she is not going to be his wife for long. Zack gets worried that she is dying. Penny snaps that she is about to, so Zack signs the papers with "Happy wife. Happy life. Let's eat."

Sheldon and Mike are now drunk in the living room. Sheldon burps the equation of pi to the 21st figure. Mike admits it's not what he thought when he said he was going to burp pie. Then, Howard's mother yells down, asking if someone mentioned pie. Mike doesn't know which is scarier, the bathroom clowns or their owner. Sheldon then says that they can only get one of Mrs. Wolowitz in a car, which causes them both to laugh out loud. (Referring to the old many clowns in the car circus trick.) Howard walks in and Sheldon calls him the clown that came out of the owner. Mike and Sheldon both agree that they are having one of the best Thanksgivings in a long time. Bernadette runs into the living room with Howard, screaming at Sheldon and her Dad for continually insulting Howard. She demands that they apologize to him. Sheldon remarks that she is so tiny and she looks funny when she's mad. When Amy demands that Sheldon apologize, he relents and says that he is sorry. Afterwards he looks at Amy and then says to everyone "Ain't she great?" Amy is flattered and smiles, Sheldon then abruptly says "Now, how's about you get us a couple of beers?" and follows by smacking her rear. Amy, shocked but happy to actually be getting some physical attention from Sheldon, starts to walk slowly toward the kitchen as a dazed smile appears on her face. Amy looks back at Sheldon, who smiles back wholeheartedly.

Finally, the whole gang, including Zack, is seated around the Thanksgiving table complementing Raj on his delicious meal. Mike wants to throw the pigskin around with Sheldon who says that this Jewish household probably doesn't have one. Mrs. Wolowitz then calls from upstairs whether someone said pigskin. Penny apologizes to Leonard and tells him that the next time she gets married, it won't be a joke and it will be for life. Or money, though she can be seen teasing him. Leonard also says he's sorry. Zack tells him not be sorry because he was a terrible husband since he was never around. Mike apologizes to Howard, telling him that he's not the worst son-in-law ever. Howard thanks him and then Mike reminds him that he's also drunk. Finally, Sheldon returns and says that he just vomited on a lot of clowns.

Critics

 * Jesse Schedeen for IGN-... (A) drunk Sheldon was the highlight of the week. Jim Parsons has honed his portrayal of the stiff, uppity genius to a fine science by now, so it's always a welcome change of pace to see Sheldon thrown in an unusual situation that drags a different side of his personality out...The conflict between Leonard and Penny also took some time to build momentum. Initially, it was funny to see Penny's reaction to realizing she's been married for the past several years ("But it didn't look real!")...But help arrived in the form of Penny's "husband," Zack. It was fun to see Brian Smith reprise his role for a few minutes in order to celebrate the holidays and apply for an annulment. Though no Rhodes scholar himself, Zack had one of the better lines of the night when Penny denied having children and he said, "Are you sure? Cause you didn't even know we were married until this morning." He's got you there, Penny..."The Thanksgiving Decoupling" was hardly a pefect episode...but once things got moving, the episode proved very entertaining.
 * Dhruv Rao gave the episode a C+

Trivia

 * Penny's cow tipping story was previously mentioned in "The Boyfriend Complexity" (S4E09) and "The Beta Test Initiation" (S5E14). Also, in reality, Margo Lillie and Tracy Boechler (both from The Univerisity of British Columbia) did provide a mathematical proof that cow tipping is impossible in 2005, just the same thing that Sheldon and Leonard do in the show.
 * Penny was officially "Penny Johnson" for three years until this episode, although since she was unaware of the marriage, she probably never took the name. However, it is possible that her maiden last name was restored after the annulment, meaning she is still the only one of the main cast without a revealed last name.
 * In reality, the Graceland Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas does provide wedding services presided by an Elvis impersonator - "Elvis Wedding Package" as they call it.
 * Penny and Zack did not know that the Las Vegas wedding chapels were real, but Penny previously suggested wedding at Las Vegas in "The Countdown Reflection" (S5E24) when the gang were discussing how to carry out the wedding of Howard and Bernadette, thus her ignorance of this is quite strange.
 * Sheldon and Bernadette's father, Mike Rostenkowski, find their common point that they are both familar with football. Sheldon previously demonstrated his knowlege on football in "The Cornhusker Vortex" (S3E06), and Mike's knowlege has been implied in "The Countdown Reflection" (S5E24) when he  said "Here you go" and "Like that guy could catch a football".
 * Mike Rostenkowski got angry at the defeat of in 1993 Thanksgiving because of . Based on this, it seems plausible to assume that he lived in Texas at that time. This assumption also supports the fact that he and Sheldon, who is (also) from Texas, quickly bond together.
 * In 1993, Sheldon was thirteen years old, about to enter graduate school the next year, and hence, would not be doing calculus homework. Moreover, by the age of five, he had already written a paper on ("The Higgs Boson Observation"). Perhaps, he was taking a course on  or.
 * Sheldon gets drunk and slaps Amy on the rear calling her a "great gal". Amy smiles at the attention. This is the second time we see Sheldon spank Amy.
 * Zack Johnson makes his first appearance in three years. Before this, his last appearance was in "The Toast Derivation" (S4E17).
 * This episode marks Mrs. Wolowitz's first appearance in the 7th season.
 * Mrs. Wolowitz's living room was previously shown in "The Zarnecki Incursion". The dining room and kitchen through the door were last seen on "The Spoiler Alert Segmentation".
 * In this episode, Sheldon claims his father died when he was 14. Inconsistence: In "The Pancake Batter Anomaly" (S1E11), he said at the age of 15, he got sick in Germany, and his mother had to fly back to Texas to help his dad at that time.
 * Sheldon takes a can of beer from Mr. Rostenkowski without objection, a stark contrast to his usual negative attitude towards alcohol in the series. This episode also reveals that Sheldon never once had a beer with his father and hints that the reason he doesn't drink alcohol is because he feels like he has been held back by his mother since his father's death.
 * This episode marks the first time that Amy has been seen at Mrs. Wolowitz's house.

Quotes

 * Penny: Sheldon, you can have a nice Thanksgiving anywhere. I spent one in Vegas.
 * Leonard: You did?
 * Penny: Yeah. Back when I was dating Zack. Actually, it was more fun than I thought. We gambled, went to one of those cheesy wedding chapels. We had a really good turkey dinner, which was surprising since we were at a strip club.
 * Leonard: What? You went to a chapel?
 * Penny: Yeah.
 * Leonard: Why?
 * Penny: We had one those silly fake weddings.
 * Leonard: Penny, you know those are real. Right?
 * Penny: No, they’re not. [Laughing it off.]
 * Leonard: Yeah, they are.
 * Penny: No, they’re not. [Looking worried.]
 * Leonard: Yeah, they are.
 * Sheldon: He's right.
 * Amy: They’re real.
 * Penny: They didn't seem real. [Quietly.]


 * Penny: Why are you making this such a big deal?
 * Sheldon: Oh I have a reason. It could be because you said yes to marrying Zack, but every time Leonard’s proposed he’s gotten a resounding no. That’s just off the top of my head.
 * Penny: How do I undo this?
 * Leonard: I just hoping you can get a annulment which is like it never happened.
 * Penny: Great. Well, what do I have to do?
 * Amy: It’s says here you can get an annulment if any of the following conditions are met. One. We’re you unable to consummate the marriage?
 * Sheldon: [Sheldon laughs.] Penny? Next.
 * Amy: Is there any evidence of fraud, bigamy, want of understanding?
 * Penny: Want of understanding? What does that even mean?
 * Amy: Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner!


 * Zack: I'm not sure about this, I heard splitting affects the children.
 * Penny: Zack, we don't have any children!
 * Zack: Are you sure? Cause you didn't even know we were married until this morning.


 * Raj: Why would you push a cow over? They’re sacred.
 * Penny: Oh, stop it. I've seen you eat a million hamburgers.
 * Raj: Hey. An animal can be both sacred and delicious.


 * Penny: That would explain why the sky was also on its side.


 * Sheldon: But if her food is delicious, Thanksgiving is ruined and it’s all on you.


 * Sheldon: I've been told that a bald refusal of an invitation is rude and one must instead offer a polite excuse so I’d love to go but unfortunately that sounds awful.


 * Leonard: It would actually be nice to not hear Sheldon complain about my cooking all day.
 * Sheldon: Excuse me. Every year you prepare a terrible meal and every year I criticize it. Do our traditions mean nothing to you?


 * Raj: It wouldn't be a Thanksgiving without an Indian providing the food.


 * Bernadette: Why don’t you keep my dad company?
 * Howard: He doesn't want me in there. I’m just the creepy little guy who has sex with his daughter.
 * Bernadette: Don’t be silly. He loves you.
 * Howard: Does he?
 * Bernadette: OK, he cares about you a lot.
 * Howard: Really?
 * Bernadette: I do crap for you all the time. Now, get out!


 * Penny: All right. Thank you for having us.
 * Howard: What’s with you?
 * Leonard: Well, she’s mad at me because she just found out that she’s married to Zack.
 * Howard: Really? That dumb ass you used to date? [Laughs] That’s hysterical.
 * Penny: I can’t believe I felt bad for opening this in the car.


 * Leonard: How am I the bad guy? She's the one who married someone else. I’m the victim.
 * Howard: Sounds like Zack’s the victim. You’re sleeping with his wife.


 * Sheldon: My father loved football. He always made me watch it before I was allowed to do my homework.


 * Penny: You know, neither of us thought this was real. I mean, we were married by an Elvis impersonator.
 * Zack: Of course, it was an impersonator. We could never afford a real Elvis.


 * Mike: I don’t know what’s scarier, the bathroom clowns or the woman who put them there.
 * Sheldon: All I know is you can only fit one of her in a car. [Howard enters.] And there’s the clown that came out of her.


 * Bernadette: Hey. Howie says that you've been making fun of him all day. Now, both of you apologize right now.
 * Sheldon: She’s so tiny. It’s funny when she’s mad.
 * Amy: All right, mister. I think you owe Howard and Bernadette an apology.
 * Sheldon: Perhaps you’re right. I’m sorry for my behavior. I’ve had alcohol and it’s caused me to be inappropriate.
 * Howard: Don’t worry about it.
 * Amy: Thank you.
 * Sheldon: Isn't she great?
 * Amy: Sheldon.
 * Sheldon: Now, how about you get us a couple of beers? [Amy gets swatted and she leaves, smiling]