The Euclid Alternative - S2-E5
Question: Though it comes up in other episodes as well, this one is focused on Sheldon needing a ride everywhere he goes because he can't drive, not to mention his not being welcome on the bus. Of course, this story element would be nonexistent if there was a simple answer, but it does beg the question: Does Pasadena not have taxicabs?
The Expedition Approximation - S8-E6
Question: Is the mining song Sheldon sings on this episode a real song? If so, what is it called?
Chosen answer: The song is called "Dark as a Dungeon" and was written and first performed by singer-songwriter Merle Travis in 1946. It has been performed by a wide array of artists, including Tennessee Ernie Ford, Harry Belafonte, Dolly Parton, Queens of the Stone Age, Kathy Mattea and Amy Grant. But it was made most famous when it was performed and recorded by Johnny Cash during his concert at Folsom Prison in 1968. According to Wikipedia: "It is a lament about the danger and drudgery of being a coal miner in an Appalachian shaft mine. It has become a rallying song among miners seeking improved working conditions."
The Agreement Dissection - S4-E21
Question: Since Sheldon had left the room, why didn't Leonard and Priya just hide the pen and lie and say that Leonard had signed the roommate agreement since Sheldon is so gullible?
Chosen answer: Sheldon would certainly check the contract for a signature afterwards. Sheldon also notarizes every contract he writes or signs.
Answer: In a situation where he wants to get his own way, he turns to the roommate agreement and for this situation would see an empty space.
The Convergence Convergence - S9-E24
Question: Why does Penny not like Sheldon inviting Mary to the wedding given how they hug every time they see each other? Also, what did she like so much about Mary and Alfred sleeping together? Was it because she is very fond of them both?
Chosen answer: Penny's reply was "wait, you're inviting people to our wedding?" Most people don't like when other people invite guests to their wedding. Penny and Leonard were getting remarried so their families could attend this time (and a few friends). Mary, Sheldon's mother, is not family to Penny or Leonard, and while they like her, they wouldn't consider her a close friend. I think Penny liked the idea that Mary was hooking up knowing how it would bother Sheldon, who didn't realise what was happening. And it was funny to her knowing the conflict it could cause since it didn't affect her at all.
Question: Why does the show go out of the way never to show the names of sodas? IE, 'Cola' instead of 'Coke', 'Lime' instead of 'Sprite,' 'Zip' instead of '7up.' They don't seem to have a problem with showing names of other products, such as the snacks in the vending machine.
Chosen answer: Certain items are part of paid product placement. Those would be obviously named, as would things that can't go unnamed for simplicity reasons. Other things might be unnamed because of opposite product placement, i.e. Coke pays for it so they don't name Pepsi products.
Question: Why did Althea refuse to believe Leonard when he said that Howard was having an allergic reaction only believing it when she saw it for herself?
Answer: Because prior to this, Howard was exhibiting no symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, and she was tired of them wasting her time. However, unbeknownst to her, Howard had in fact taken a bite of a peanut bar (having only faked doing so before, to distract Leonard), so when she sees his genuine reaction, she believes it.
The Matrimonial Momentum - S9-E1
Question: In the previous episode Amy says she needs time to step back, but did she not think she was overreacting by taking a break just because Sheldon asked if he should start watching The Flash while they were making out?
Chosen answer: Amy said she needed to take some time away from the relationship because she feared that their relationship wasn't going anywhere. They had already been dating for five years and they haven't actually gotten intimate after all this time, and when Sheldon asks if he should start watching The Flash, she was worried that he wasn't giving her as much attention towards her as she would have thought given the years that they had been dating.
The Rothman Disintegration - S5-E17
Question: I don't get it. Sheldon and Kripke are bad at sports. At the end, they are both sweating and breathing hard. But in 6-13 The Tenure Turbulence, Leonard can't last on the treadmill but this time Kripke can run on the treadmill for a long time yet one season ago, he can't run without breathing so hard. What's going on?
Answer: The simple answer would be "he must have trained and gotten fitter." If it were the other way around, fit then a season later unfit, it would be more confusing.
Answer: The two scenarios are very different. When Kripke and Sheldon are playing basketball, Kripke is not familiar with the sport, and in trying to win, uses up a lot of his energy too quickly, without preserving it properly. When Kripke is using the cross trainer, he is familiar with how to use it, and knows what the appropriate speed he should be running at, and preserves more of his energy, so in this scenario, doesn't become exhausted as easily. Plus, since he is more familiar with the cross trainer, it is likely that he has exercised before and the condition of his health has improved in between episodes.
Question: My understanding is Sheldon, Leonard, Raj, Howard, and even Amy and Kripke work for a university; but none of them seem to be teachers. And if they are, they never have office hours, or are seen grading homework, and Sheldon seems inept at teaching. Do universities really hire that many people who simply do research with no actual work requirements? Or what's going on? (I understand not filming boring office hours or grading, etc. But they never even allude to it, their work never interferes with random daily events, and I imagine college teachers/professors would stay extremely more busy.
Chosen answer: The boys work for Caltech, a research university mainly dedicated to science and technology. It's never been stated where Amy works, except that she has her own lab. But remember, her lab is fully funded by the Saudi prince that she is pseudo-engaged to. Any business or university would hire her for that reason.
Answer: In season 7 though Amy came to work at the university til the end.
The Herb Garden Germination - S4-E20
Question: In the beginning, Sheldon and Amy are attending a reading (or lecture) of Brian Greene. It seems Sheldon is truly mocking, although at the end he says he's kidding. Do theoretical physicists consider Greene to be a hack, or is he respected in the field of physics? Are Sheldon and Amy truly laughing at him?
Chosen answer: He's respected. Sheldon just thinks he knows more than anyone else and mocks anyone whose theories don't agree with his completely. Amy is probably just going along because it makes Sheldon happy.
Question: Why doesn't Amy even once wear pants?
Answer: Amy does not wear pants because Mayim Bialik does not wear them in her personal life. She is Jewish and observes the Judaic custom of modesty and only wears skirts. The Big Bang producers allowed her to incorporate this practice into her Amy character.
The Justice League Recombination - S4-E11
Question: What is Raj's problem with Aquaman? Is it that he doesn't have powers?
Answer: Aquaman does in fact have powers. It is a long running joke that Aquaman is not a useful member of the Justice League due to a seemingly useless set of powers.
The Comic Book Store Regeneration - S8-E15
Chosen answer: The main cause of her death is not specifically stated in the show, but Howard does mention that she passed away in her sleep. The cause of her death may have been something relating to her weight problems.
The Tenure Turbulence - S6-E20
Question: The episode ends without telling us who got tenure. Did I miss something?
Answer: No, you didn't miss anything. The writers never say who got tenure. (Although, as a side note, the entire process of getting tenure for the characters is entirely wrong in real life and none of them would have got it).
Question: Why can't Leonard's mother act like an actual mother? Why did she treat him like a test subject?
Answer: Because she is not the mother-type. She is a very emotionally detached person. She probably got children for the prospect of them being successful and interesting to her work. Not because she likes raising them or take care of them.
The Opening Night Excitation - S9-E11
Question: Leonard thought Penny would want to join them in seeing the new Star Wars movie but why would he think that? He knows Penny does not like Star Wars at all.
Chosen answer: Probably because part of being in a relationship with someone means sharing their interests, even if you yourself are indifferent, to grow closer together. Penny feels otherwise.
Answer: Because Raj's selective mutism seems to be caused by women that Raj sees (on some sort of conscious or subconscious level) as a potential sexual partner. An attribute that wouldn't apply to either his sister or mother.