The Big Bang Theory

The Pork Chop Indeterminacy - S1-E15

Character mistake: In his conversation with Missy Sheldon makes it clear that his superior intelligence is a result of a random, mutated gene. Since Missy isn't similarly intelligent she obviously isn't carrying this mutated gene (which would be a billion to one shot anyway) so her offspring wouldn't inherit it. Sheldon would know this - his offspring would carry the mutated gene for superior intelligence, Missy's would not. Anyone knowing enough about genetics to use the term 'randomly mutated gene' understands enough to know that the mutated gene would only be expressed in a direct line from the carrier - Sheldon. Also bear in mind he has a model of the DNA molecule in his living room - it is obviously an interest.

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Suggested correction: Genes can be dormant. Which allows them to skip generations. Therefor Missy's children could actually get the "mutated" gene. This is especially true since Sheldon and Missy are twins. Also, since the episode is about who out of Leonard, Howard or Raj, Sheldon would allow to "mate" with his sister, there is the added "insurance" of getting any smart genes from any of the 3 Lothario's mentioned above.

If you are going to try to argue with a geneticist about genetics, please use the correct terms. Sheldon is not referring to a recessive gene - there is no such thing as a dormant gene - he is speaking of a randomly mutated gene. Those are the words he used. If he had inherited a homozygous recessive karotype - one recessive gene from each of his parents - then somewhere in his family tree there would similarly gifted people, in which case he would use the correct term - a recessive gene. If Missy is a heterozygotic dominant karotype possessing the recessive gene for super-genius and the dominant for ordinary intelligence then mating her with Howard, Raj or Leonard would be a waste of time as their dominant genius gene would prevent the recessive super-genius gene from being expressed in the phenotype of the resulting child. The child would be highly intelligent but not on Sheldon's standards. It doesn't matter if Sheldon does not know any of this as he refers several times to a randomly mutated gene, not a recessive one. Missy does not carry the super-genius gene. The posting is correct.

Sheldon is prone to magical thinking when necessary to preserve his obsessive need to control his environment. He may have simply ignored the flaw in his reasoning, as even the most intelligent humans do when venturing outside their ares of expertise. He may be interested in the science of genetics, but his Ph.D. in physics doesn't qualify him as an expert in that field.

The Excelsior Acquisition - S3-E16

Plot hole: In Series 1, Episode 7, "The Dumpling Paradox, " Sheldon makes an oblique reference to his financial status: "Frankly, if I could afford the rent, I'd ask you [Leonard] to leave, " meaning he cannot pay the rent on his two bedroom apartment by himself - not that he doesn't want to, he can't. However, in "The Execlsior Acquisition, " we find that he does not even cash his pay cheques. He doesn't even deposit them into a bank account - he leaves them in a drawer in his desk. In Series 2 Episode 14 "The Financial Permeability", he lends Penny a large amount of money from a huge bankroll he just happens to have lying about - again, without cashing his pay cheques! He is obviously independently wealthy. Either he doesn't have enough money to afford the rent or he has enough to work without being paid while practically giving large amounts of cash away. Can't be both.

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Suggested correction: Not being able to afford doesn't necessarily mean he doesn't have the money, especially a man like Sheldon. He works with a budget and he sticks to it. In his budget he has a certain amount set aside for rent, anything more than that and he can't afford it alone.

Nonsense. If he was sticking to a "rigid budget" he wouldn't have even thought of lending a hopeless credit risk like Penny a single cent. Instead he throws a huge bankroll at her without even discussing a repayment plan.

Rubbish, I stick to a strict budget but still have the money to lend to close friends. Like Penny is to him.

He might have different budgets for different things. People could get a higher margin because they could be of more use to the scientific mind of Sheldon.

The Zarnecki Incursion - S4-E19

Plot hole: If Howard can hack into Blizzard's database so deeply that he can get the name and address of game players, he could easily restore all of Sheldon's stolen 'items'. Hacking personal details - a player's real identity and their home address! - is hardcore, detailed work that only an expert could do, compared to which adding a few extra items to a player in the game would be child's play. Sheldon would not be concerned about a possible comeback from the administrators at Blizzard. First, Sheldon doesn't hack into the database, Howard does, and someone as pragmatic and self-centred as Sheldon would simply disclaim any responsibility. Second, hacking into another player's account to access highly sensitive personal information like their home address would risk incurring the same penalty from Blizzard anyway. Either Sheldon doesn't know that or he doesn't care. Third, his account has already been hacked when the virtual items were stolen. He could simply claim that Howard's hacking into his account was just more of the same - nothing to do with him. Fourth, Blizzard did not detect the hacker stealing Sheldon's virtual items, nor did they prevent it happening, and they did not detect Howard hacking into his account to obtain his name and address. Sheldon can rightly assume he has nothing to fear.

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Suggested correction: Hacking the database to return items to Sheldon's account would also be traceable to Sheldon's account as cheating. That would get him permabanned if discovered, not a risk Sheldon wants to take.

LorgSkyegon

First, Sheldon doesn't hack into the database, Howard does, and someone as pragmatic and self-centred as Sheldon would simply disclaim any responsibility. Second, hacking into another player's account to access highly sensitive personal information like their home address would risk incurring the same penalty from Blizzard anyway. Either Sheldon doesn't know that or he doesn't care. Besides, if Blizzard were aware that Howard had hacked into Sheldon's account, why weren't they aware that the person who stole the virtual items did?

Reading information from a server is easier than writing new data into it. You can steal a mass bulk of files and extract the information at a later time, whereas writing information in Sheldon's account would take much more precision.

Show generally

Factual error: The main apartment in the show is located in Pasadena, Calif. When looking out the window in the background, mountains are shown in the distance and far away. In reality, Pasadena lies right underneath the long mountain range so the mountains would be up close, not far away.

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Suggested correction: Not true. I lived in Pasadena for years and in some areas, the mountains do look further away. The view from the San Pasqual apartments, you can barely see the mountains.

immortal eskimo

The Platonic Permutation - S9-E9

Continuity mistake: In episode 16 of season 1, Penny is talking about making a cake for Leonard's birthday and states she knows his birthday because she was checking a horoscope for him. But in this episode she does not know when his birthday is, which leads to Leonard revealing he was secretly reading Penny's diary. (00:40:00)

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Suggested correction: It's certainly possible to forget something you knew eight years ago.

LorgSkyegon

This is perhaps true for two people who rarely have contact, but I would list this as a character mistake. Penny and Leonard are in a serious relationship and are married at this point.

Bishop73

This is also a couple who BOTH forgot it was their anniversary.

LorgSkyegon

I forgot my wife's birthday on a number of occasions. It's one of the reasons she is now my ex-wife.

There's a difference between forgetting and not knowing.

Bishop73

I've been married for seven years and my husband still doesn't know my birthday. It's the 24th but sometimes he thinks it's the 24th or the 4th or the 20th etc. And especially since Leonard doesn't celebrate his birthday, it's not something that's going to remain in the forefront of Penny's mind.

immortal eskimo

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Suggested correction: No he doesn't, he tips it in sideways.

In which case the handles are still not easily accessible at the top.

Ssiscool

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Suggested correction: Not obvious at any point in the show.

LordKelvin

"Not all the time".

Ssiscool

The Beta Test Initiation - S5-E14

Character mistake: Sheldon says (during Fun With Flags) "But like the flag over Fort Sumter, I'm still here." The Sumter flag was lowered when the fort surrendered to the Confederates. The flag over Fort McHenry was never taken down despite the British bombardment and inspired Francis Scott Key to write the National Anthem about it. Whouldn't a vexologist know that?

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Suggested correction: Sheldon is referring to the actual Fort Sumter flag, which still exists and is on display at the Fort Sumter museum.

LorgSkyegon

Sheldon is not referring the actual flag (especially since if the actual flag is in a museum it's not still over Fort Sumter). Sheldon is referencing the line from The Star-Spangled Banner "our flag was still there." Key wrote The Star-Spangled Banner after seeing the flag over Fort McHenry was still there. The writers simply made a mistake and Sheldon the character would know which flag inspired the line. Incidentally, the actual Fort McHenry flag also still exists.

Bishop73

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Suggested correction: I can only assume you have never played on a RP server? ERP is a big thing, some players even make gold from it.

The Large Hadron Collision - S3-E15

Factual error: At the very end of the show, Leonard and Raj arrive at the hotel, which is supposed to be in Geneva, Switzerland, to visit CERN. If you look out the "hotel" window, it looks like they're half way up Matterhorn, but in Geneva there are no big/rocky mountains anywhere near the city itself.

Boarderin

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Suggested correction: Leonard tells Penny they'll be going skiing which would suggest the resort they're staying in IS near mountains. There is no mention that the hotel is in Geneva itself.

The Fetal Kick Catalyst - S10-E6

Factual error: When Raj, Howard and Bernadette are in the car, Raj puts on Batman the Animated Series to distract Howard from his back pain. Howard says "I'm in too much pain to watch cartoo-oh, this is a good one!" However, there is no way he could know that it's a good episode of the show because the opening theme song can be heard playing and the name of the episode does not appear until after it.

THGhost

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Suggested correction: He meant the cartoon is good, in general. Not the specific episode.

Nah, he was told right beforehand that it was Batman: The Animated Series. A nerd like Howard definitely knows which cartoon that is and that it's a good cartoon without needing to look at it.

THGhost

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Suggested correction: Sheldon doesn't develop this trait until S2 E18.

Ssiscool

That I beleive is the first episode with the triple knock.

Ssiscool

First time he knocks 3 times is in Episode 2 of Season 1. First time knocking 3 times followed by saying the name is episode 10 of Season 1. The ritual of 3 knocks and 3 times saying the name and then stopping is Episode 5 of season 2.

lionhead

My mistake. It's been several years since I've seen the early seasons. I was going off memory.

Ssiscool

Sheldon knocks three times because he once walked into his parents bedroom and saw his father with another woman. He's been doing the triple knock since he was a teenager.

MovieFan612

Yet, he didn't in the show till Season 2. Funny ain't it?

lionhead

Suggested correction: A one-time lapse in someone's usual behavior does not count as a "character mistake", even in the case of someone given to ritualistic behavior as Sheldon is.

zendaddy621

Ah, but in an episode he explains he had developed this particular ritual at age 13 after walking into his parent's bedroom without knocking and seeing his father having sex with another woman. He says he started knocking 3 times since then and would never forget. So its not consistent and a mistake as this is not the only example one can name.

lionhead

The Benefactor Factor - S4-E15

Continuity mistake: When Sheldon and Leonard are in the kitchen discussing Leonard's upcoming night out with Mrs. Latham, there's a plastic bottle of orange juice on the table that keeps disappearing and reappearing as the camera switches between Sheldon and Leonard.

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Suggested correction: The bottle is there every time, a few times because of the camera angle it is hidden by Sheldon.

Bowling255

The bottle of OJ is right next to a container of Coffee Mate, both items always visible when the bottle of OJ is present. When the OJ is not present, only the Coffee Mate is there, near enough the center of the table to not possibly be blocked out by either Sheldon nor Leonard.

No it is not right next to the coffee Mate, there is some distance with a phone in between. You can sometimes see the bottle behind Sheldon when he moves.

Bowling255

The Rhinitis Revelation - S5-E6

Other mistake: When Mary is rubbing VapoRub on Sheldon's chest, she makes a comment that last time she saw that there was no hair, to which Sheldon replies "Yeah it filled in last year." In Season 1, Episode 11, Penny rubs VapoRub on Sheldon's chest and a very clear remark about chest hair was made. Season 1 for the show was 4 years ago.

Ashish_Agrawal

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Suggested correction: Sheldon is probably joking when he tells Mary his chest hair filled in the previous year.

Sheldon doesn't make jokes.

Ssiscool

He doesn't understand sarcasm, hence, doesn't know when to be sarcastic.

ckbyers

If Sheldon didn't make jokes, the term "Bazinga" would have never came into play. Ever.

ckbyers

And nearly all instances of Bazinga are not used in a funny circumstance. Indicating poor judgement and lack of knowledge regarding jokes.

Ssiscool

They were funny to him. And to the audience.

lionhead

Google "how many times has Sheldon said "Bazinga" " - and it'll explain that he does, indeed - joke.

ckbyers

The Proton Regeneration - S11-E6

Character mistake: While bedridden after his vasectomy, Howard asks Bernadette to grill up a couple steaks instead of picking up Chinese for dinner. She gives him a disapproving look and he says "Kung Pao Chicken, please." A major ingredient of Kung Pao Chicken is peanuts. A major allergy for Howard is peanuts. (00:09:04)

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Suggested correction: Since they are both quite well aware of it, they likely have either found a Chinese restaurant that doesn't use them, or they get it without peanuts.

LorgSkyegon

Yup. My friend is allergic to peanuts and our local Chinese restaurant makes hers with almond instead of peanut.

immortal eskimo

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Suggested correction: Lying to Penny but not to his sister, not inconsistent with the characters and his relationships.

LordKelvin

There's been several episodes showing Sheldon is not a good liar.

Bishop73

Yes and no. If you consider S1 E7 I think it is where he creates a very elaborate situation to avoid telling Penny she's a terrible singer. That takes a good amount skill to establish all that. But as you say, there are episodes where he can't.

Ssiscool

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Suggested correction: While her brother was the only one that came to the wedding she mentions her many other times and never said she only had a brother. She mentions her father dancing with her and her water breaking at her wedding. She asks her dad about Randall and Lisa. She also mentions her sister "accidentally" shot her husband. So while the brother is more prominent the sister is mentioned throughout.

The Zarnecki Incursion - S4-E19

Character mistake: As they drive to Todd Zarnecki's to confront him, Sheldon says, "I almost feel sorry for the poor fool, sitting in his split-level suburban ranch..." Architecturally, split-level (technically three levels joined by half flights of stairs) and ranch (single level) are separate and distinct designs. There is no "fusion" of the two. I can't help but think Sheldon would have corrected anyone who said the same thing.

MFWills

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Suggested correction: Actually the term "split level ranch" is used to describe a house that has one full floor above ground and a partial lower level, vs the traditional split level house which has a full floor above ground, a second partial floor and a partial lower level.

immortal eskimo

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Suggested correction: There is a moment when he puts his hand there. So nothing wrong here.

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Suggested correction: That type of sling is the best for preventing movement of the shoulder joint. It is the proper one.

LorgSkyegon

The Countdown Reflection - S5-E24

Factual error: There is not a snowball's chance of Howard becoming an astronaut. He suffers from cardiac arrhythmia, something about which he is completely open. "Transient" or not this is easily detectable by a simple electrocardiogram, which is a fundamental part of the many medical examinations a potential astronaut will have to pass. He wouldn't even be allowed to start basic training. Note also that during his basic training he shows signs of severe stress and trauma which would inevitably trigger a cardiac episode. Even if it didn't the fact that he was falling apart at the seams would have him removed from the programme for his own good.

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The Holographic Excitation - S6-E5

Trivia: In this episode, Sheldon and Amy are trying to decide on couples' themed Halloween costumes. Sheldon is standing in front of the dry erase board. There are 2 columns written on the board. One named "Couples I Like" and the other "Couples You Like." Under the "Couples You Like" column, one of the couples is Blossom and Joey. Blossom is the name of the television character played by Mayim Bialik in the 90s and Joey was one of her brothers.

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Show generally

Question: How come Raj has no problem speaking to his mother, but, when around other women, such as Penny, he immediately stops talking? Also, why does he have to whisper in someone's ear if he wants to ask Penny something?

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.

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