The Graduation Transmission

"The Graduation Transmission" is the twenty-second episode of the eighth season of the sitcom The Big Bang Theory. The episode aired on Thursday, April 23, 2015.

Summary
Leonard is asked to make the commencement address at his old. Raj splurges on a ic which Sheldon and Howard try to get to operate.

Extended Plot
Howard is looking over the that Raj has bought. Even though it's the top of the line, Raj just can't get it to work. Leonard enters with his packed to find that Penny is not even ready. The two of them are off to Leonard's old where he is giving the Commencement Address. Sheldon is worried that Leonard will lose an eye when all their s are thrown in the air. Amy thinks that it's nice that he's taking Penny. After a poor high school experience, he gets to return as a successful with a   on his arm and, per Sheldon, a pointy hat sticking out of his. |

As Penny and Leonard head down the stairs, Penny explains how she packed so fast. One spring break she took nothing, but a long and a. As Leonard is knocking New Jersey, he gets a that their  flight has been canceled due to bad.

Howard and Sheldon are trying to get the helicopter system to work. First they are trying to it. Sheldon complains about how the is written. The procedure doesn't work and they have to do it again trying to get the colored light sequence correct.

In his apartment, Raj receives a call from his father. First he asks about his Emily and then yells at him for spending a month's  on a  helicopter. His father wants to teach him some responsibility and is going to eliminate his monthly allowance. Raj tries to explain to him that he misses everybody so much and since they are getting a, playing with his toy will make him feel better. Dr. K doesn't buy it.

Howard is still trying to re-calibrate the copter and succeeds until the final step. Now Howard wants to look inside it to fix it even though it voids the. As is often the case, he does point out his  from M.I.T.

The next, Penny returns from with a pick-me-up present for Leonard. She bought him a and arranged with his old high school to give his address on Skype. The gown is from a costume store is very short since it is a " graduate".

The helicopter is completely disassembled on the counter. Howard doesn't seem completely sure what all the parts do, but he still flaunts his. Sheldon reminds him of the space toilet he built for the space station that didn't work. Howard counters that the wasn't designed for the Russian 's  base diet. Raj shows up and freaks out that he took it apart. Sheldon assures him that Howard can solve any problem that doesn't originate in a Russian man's. Raj wants to return the helicopter due to his father's actions. After Howard gets him to calm down, Raj decides to take responsibility for his life and calls his mother. She finds him calling her a nice surprise. She can't believe he came from the ous of his father. He tells her that is father can't send him funds anymore due to his active. His mother wants to know who he has been seeing and she promises to send Raj more than his father was. Raj tells the guys that he'll buy helicopters for everyone.

Leonard comes out of the dressed only in his sexy graduate just for Penny who appreciates it. Penny tells him that he looks sexy and is supposed to wear under his. He is surprised that she knows that. Leonard is going to dress up more to deliver his. Penny offers to take him someplace nice if he'll put on a belt ala her own outfit.

Howard had narrowed down the problem to a faulty pin on a. Sheldon is impressed and asked him if he could fix a toy that no longer puffs. One toy a time, Sheldon. Bernadette shows up with the s that Howard asked for. Raj plans on just buying a new helicopter; however, Howard as a wants to fix the problem. Bernadette suggest that they call. The es bulk at that suggestion. Howard laughs at people who call those s.

At Leonard's old high school, he is introduced as a distinguished, the noted Caltech , Doctor Leonard Hofstadter. Leonard remembers that last time he was in that, the team played with his. He thanks his beautiful for setting up the broadcast and then surprises Penny by showing her on video. She says "hi" and for everyone to stay in and stay off, even though they are currently graduating.

The helicopter now has a working, , , and a charged. Bernadette adds that they also wasted four hours of their lives. They prepare for as the helicopter lets out a puff of smoke just like Sheldon's locomotive used to. Howard concedes to Bernadette to call tech support. He thinks he'll end up talking to a foreigner looking at the same manual he has. As he dials the number, Raj's rings; however, it really, his father. He wants to know what he talked to his about. Raj claims that she has a lot of and that it's good he took after his father. Dr. K was Raj's and that is what got him into  so he claims. Then Raj charges into the apartment asking who wants to fly to on a real helicopter?

Continuing his speech about, Leonard changes the subject to that he is probably as bored with the speech as he is or Penny. His speech is about how high school is wonderful and prepares you for life though it was a terrible experience for him. Reflecting on how he didn't feel like he existed, he then speaks to the smart and invisible s currently at the high school. With all that time they are spending alone, they are just becoming interesting and people out in the world find them a lot cooler than they thought. For the popular kids, their popularity is now over. He finishes up with congratulating all of them.

The guys are still waiting to have a tech rep get on line. Howard muses that he has become an old man now baffled by modern. Suddenly the helicopter turns on and starts. Bernadette warns that they shouldn't be flying that in the. No one is piloting it because it picked up a random WIFI signal from elsewhere. It starts to fly around the apartment terrorizing everyone. Tech support answers and a anxious Sheldon tells him that there's a uprising and he should call the.

In the last scene, the helicopter is still flying all over and attacks Leonard and Penny in the.

Credits

 * Guest starring:
 * Brian George as Dr. V. M. Koothrappali
 * Alice Amter as Mrs. Koothrappali
 * Robert Clotworthy as Headmaster Edwards
 * Max Mittelman as Tech Support (Voice Only)
 * Katherine Von Till as Tech Support Recording (Voice Only)
 * Teleplay: Steven Molaro, Steve Holland & Eric Kaplan
 * Story: Chuck Lorre, Dave Goetsch & Anthony Del Broccolo

Critics

 * Jesse Schedeen at IGN - Leonard and Penny had a fun back-and-forth going, especially with Leonard flaunting his "sexy graduate" costume...Leonard's actual speech also made for a very nice scene. His appeal to all the nerds, outcasts and oddballs really spoke to his journey over the course of the show...(The other) story line allowed Howard to come into the forefront and Sheldon play his comic relief sidekick. The humor in their scenes was enjoyably consistent, whether it was the bizarre ritual the two undertook to re-calibrate the drone or their terrified reactions when the device went haywire.

Trivia

 * Mayim Bialik has spoken at a ,  during the 2011 Commencement Ceremony, which took place at in, May 7, 2011.
 * Amy only appears in one scene in this episode.
 * The quadcopter seen in the episode is a Phantom 2 Vision which, at the time of taping, cost around $900. It has already made an appearance on the show in Season 7's The Indecision Amalgamation. Interestingly enough, it had a price tag much lower than the true price.
 * First appearance of Mrs. Koothrappali since "The Transporter Malfunction" (S5E20). And the first time she appeared live on the telephone and not just on Skype. Second time his father has been seen not on Skype.
 * The space toilet that Sheldon is referring to is the The Wolowitz Zero-Gravity Waste Disposal System, which appeared in "The Classified Materials Turbulence." In this episode, Howard claims that the toilet worked fine, but it wasn't designed for the Russian cosmonaut's potato based diet; however, in "The Classified Materials Turbulence", Howard said that he made a "teeny-tiny" mistake on the specifications for the diverter valve, which will cause the toilet to fail after about ten flushes.
 * Second episode where Penny is frightened by one of the nerd's machines which aggressively emerges from Apartment 4A into the hallway. First was "The Killer Robot Instability".
 * The flag on the left side of the screen at Leonard's old high school is the New Jersey state flag.

Quotes

 * Headmaster Edwards: And now, for our commencement address, one of our most distinguished alumni, noted Caltech physicist, Doctor Leonard Hofstadter. (Applauds.)
 * Leonard: Members of the facility, students. I’m excited to speak to you today. I can’t help, but remember the last time I was in that auditorium. Two guys from the lacrosse team played keep away with my asthma inhaler. But enough about my ten year reunion. I’d also like to take a moment to thank my beautiful fiancee for helping to make this speech possible, even though \weather nearly prevented it.
 * Penny: Oh, hello. I didn’t know he was going to point it at me so, don’t do drugs and stay in school.
 * Leonard: They’re graduates.
 * Penny: Okay. By-ee!

(Later)
 * Leonard: It was L. Frank Baum who said, “No thief, however skillful, can rob one of knowledge.” And that is why knowledge is the best san safest treasure. Wow, I’m boring myself. (Sighs.) Sorry I can’t see any of your faces right now, but I bet you they look like this. Uh, you know, I wrote an entire speech to say how high school prepares you and what a wonderful place it is, but I hated it. Maybe high school is great if you look like this (Penny.), but I didn’t even feel like I existed at that school. And now that I think about it, I bet a lot of you feel the same way. So, for the reminder of my speech, this is for the invisible kids. Uh, maybe you never fit in. Or maybe you’re the smallest kid in the school, or the heaviest or the weirdest. Maybe you’re graduating and you still haven’t had your first kiss. By the way, nineteen, ANDF Geraldine Coco, wherever you are, thank you. Maybe you don’t have any friends. And guess what? That’s okay. While all the popular kids are off doing, whatever, I don’t know what they are doing ‘cause I was never there...
 * Penny: I…I’ll tell you later.
 * Leonard: My point is, while you’re spending all this time on your own, building computers or practicing the cello, what you’re really doing is becoming interesting. And when finally do notice you, they’re going to find someone a lot cooler than they thought. And for those of you who were popular in high school, it’s over, sorry. Thank you and congratulations. (Applauds.)


 * Raj: It’s time for me step up and take responsibility for my life. Be a man. Hello, Mummy.
 * Mrs. K: Hello, Rajesh. What a nice surprise.
 * Raj: Well, I’ve been thinking about you. How are you doing? Are you happy, Mummy?
 * Mrs. K: Such a sweet boy for asking. Can’t believe you come from the poison seed of your father.
 * Raj: Well, I like to think I take mostly after you. Anyway speaking of Daddy, I had a very strange conversion with him. He said he couldn’t afford to send me money anymore because of his active social life.
 * Mrs. K: What does mean, “Active social life”?
 * Raj: Well, let’s not talk about him or whatever shenagans he may not may not be up to. Let’s talk about you.
 * Mrs. K: Rajesh; is your father seeing someone?
 * Raj: All I know Mummy, is that he’s a single wealthy doctor and now for some reason there’s no money for your little boy.
 * Mrs. K: Well, however much your father was giving you, I’ll give up more.
 * Raj: Thank-you, Mummy. I love you. Helicopters for everybody!


 * Tech Support Voice: Your call is important to us. All our technicians are busy helping other customers. Please stay on the line and someone will be with you shortly.
 * Howard: What happened to me? When did I become an old man baffled by modern technology? Next thing you know, I’ll be hitching my pants up to my armpits and complaining about the awful music the kids are listening to.
 * Sheldon: It is awful, isn’t it? Listen to that noise.
 * Howard: (Helicopter takes off.) Hang on, hang on. It’s working. I did it.
 * Raj: How did you do that?
 * Howard: No idea, but I did it.
 * Bernadette: (she's warning the three men crossly) Maybe you shouldn’t be flying it inside.
 * Howard: I’m not flying it.
 * Sheldon: Then who is?
 * Howard: I don’t know. Must be getting a Wi-Fi signal from somewhere else.
 * Sheldon: Initiate landing sequence. Initiate landing sequence. Hey, the camera’s working. Oh, look it’s me. (Screams.)
 * Tech support: Tech support. Help you?
 * Sheldon: Yes, it’s a robot uprising. Call the police.


 * (The opening scene at the apartment where Howard and Raj are admiring a helicopter whilst everyone else is ready for dinner)
 * Raj: It’s, like, the best one they make, I just can’t get it to work.
 * Howard: I’ll figure it out.
 * Raj: It streams HD video straight to your phone while it’s flying.
 * Howard: Nice. Where were you when I was single?
 * (Leonard enters the apartment with a suitcase)
 * Leonard: Okay, we should leave in about an hour. You all packed?
 * Penny: Uh, yeah, I just need to throw in a few last minute things, you know, makeup, underwear, clothes.
 * Sheldon: If your bathroom floor counts as a carry-on, you’re packed.
 * Amy: Leonard, have you ever given a high school commencement speech before?
 * Leonard: Nope, it’s pretty exciting.
 * Sheldon: Aren’t you afraid of being blinded?
 * Leonard: How would I be blinded?
 * Sheldon:At the end of the ceremony, all the students throe those pointy hats on the air. It’s all pomp and circumstance until someone loses an eye.
 * Leonard: I’ll take my chances.
 * Sheldon: Fine. I wonder if they make “I told you so” cards in Braille?
 * Raj: Look, the problem with commencement speeches is that they’re boring. Ooo. Do you own a t-shirt cannon?
 * Howard: What would he own a t-shirt cannon?
 * Raj: I don’t know. Why do I own one?
 * Amy: I think it’s really nice that you’re sharing this experience with Penny.
 * Leonard: Mmm, I thought it would be fun to show her my old stomping grounds. I even know the exact spot where they used to stomp me.
 * Bernadette: Well, now you get to go back as a successful scientist.
 * Amy: With a beautiful girl on your arm.
 * Sheldon: And a pointy hat sticking out of your eyeball.


 * (The scene of Leonard and Penny in the hallway with their suitcases)
 * Leonard: How’d you get ready so fast?
 * Penny: Oh, I packed light. Once I spent an entire Spring break with nothing, but a long t-shirt and a belt.
 * Leonard: Why did you need a belt?
 * Penny: It’s called an evening look. I’ve never been to New Jersey before.
 * Leonard: It gets a bad rap from shows like Jersey Shore and Real Housewives.
 * Penny: So it’s not really like that?
 * Leonard: No, it’s like that. Well, I’m excited to show you around.
 * Penny: You think we will have time to visit your Mom over there?
 * Leonard: Yes, we’ll also have time to put my junk in a garlic press, but I’m not doing that either.


 * Dr. K: Oh, and there’s something else I wanted ask you. Why did you spend a month’s rent on a toy helicopter?
 * Raj: Oh you’re where that bill goes.
 * Dr. K: I’m tired of indulging your foolish lifestyle. It’s time you learned responsibility. And the only way to teach you that is to cut off your allowance.
 * Raj: No, daddy, no! There’s lot of other ways to teach me responsibility. I know, you can give me an egg and make take care of it for a week.
 * Dr. K: No, My mind id made up. Starting now, you’re on your own.
 * Raj: But Daddy. I miss my family so much and with you and Mummy getting a divorce, I feel sad and empty. Buying a little toy every now and then helps me fill that void. So while I can’t hug you every day, flying that helicopter.
 * Dr. K: I’m cutting you off.
 * Raj: Just to be clear, financially or mid-sentence.


 * Uh-oh. I just got an alert. Our flight’s been cancelled.
 * Penny: What?
 * Leonard: Yeah, looks like there’s a big storm all up the East Coast.
 * Penny: Well, can we get on another airline?
 * Leonard: I don’t think so.
 * Penny: So, that’s it? We’re not going?
 * Leonard: I guess not.
 * Penny: Well, that sucks.
 * Leonard: Yeah. I worked hard on that speech, too.
 * Penny: Oh. You could tell it to me.
 * Leonard: Oh, thank you, but I’m okay.
 * Penny: Are you sure? I could pretend I’m a high school cheerleader who can’t control herself around esteemed alumni.
 * Leonard: Greetings, distinguished cheerleaders


 * Howard: Okay, I think I’ve narrowed it down to a faulty pin on the onboard communication chip.
 * Sheldon: Very impressive. You know, when you’re done with that, can you look at this? It doesn’t make smoke anymore.
 * Howard: One toy at a time.
 * Sheldon: Mm. Sorry. Ah, maybe it’s for the best. I hear locomotive smoke is the second leading cause of death among :train aficionados.
 * Raj: What’s the first one?
 * Howard: Suicide.
 * Sheldon: Wrong. Obesity.
 * (Enter Bernadette)
 * Bernadette: I have the tool you wanted.
 * Howard: Thank you.
 * Raj: You guys don’t have to go to the trouble. I’m back in the money now, I can just buy another helicopter.
 * Howard: It’s not about the money. It’s about solving a problem. It’s why I became an engineer. It’s what I like to do, it’s what I’m trained to do. It’s who I am.
 * Sheldon: Oh, look at you, the little engineer that could.
 * Bernadette: Why don’t you just call tech support?
 * Howard: Hey.
 * Sheldon: Whoa.
 * Raj: Not cool.
 * Bernadette: (she's asking all three guys crossly) What?
 * Howard: There’s two kinds of people in this world, those who call tech support, and those who make fun of the people who call tech support.
 * Bernadette: I call tech support all the time.
 * Howard: Ha-ha.
 * Sheldon: You call tech support.
 * Raj: What a baby.


 * Howard: All right, the power supply is reconnected. I think we’re back in business. Let’s just run a few tests before we take it outside. Sheldon, we got WiFi?
 * Sheldon: Check.
 * Howard: GPS?
 * Raj: Check.
 * Howard: Battery charged?
 * Sheldon: Check.
 * Bernadette: Four hours of our lives gone? Check.
 * Howard : All right. All systems go. In five…
 * Together (Howard, Raj, Sheldon): Four, three, two, one.
 * Sheldon: That’s what my train used to do.
 * Bernadette: (she's asking Howard crossly) Ready to call tech support?
 * Howard: Give me the number. Probably wind up talking to some foreign guy who’s reading from the same manual I have. (Raj’s phone rings)
 * Raj: It’s my father, you jerks. Hello, Daddy.
 * Dr Koothrapalli: What did you say to your mother?
 * Raj: Nothing. I was just calling to check in, make sure she’s doing okay.
 * Dr Koothrapalli: Well, after talking to you, she seems to think I’m some sort of playboy.
 * Raj: Really? I don’t know where she’d get an idea like that. You know Mummy and her crazy imagination I’m so lucky I take after you.
 * Dr Koothrapalli: You think you take after me?
 * Raj: Well, I try to. I certainly wouldn’t be a scientist if you hadn’t been my role model. (Re-entering apartment) Who wants to go to Vegas in a real helicopter?