- Title: The Big Bang Theory – The Status Quo Combustion
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The Seventh Season finale begins with big news as Leonard (Johnny Galecki) and Penny (Kaley Cuoco) announce their engagement to their friends. Although happy for the couple, the group is much more surprised and joyous for Raj (Kunal Nayyar) who announces he has finally slept with Emily (Laura Spencer).
While the second piece of news doesn’t effect him, Sheldon (Jim Parsons) is ill-prepared to begin the discussion of new living arrangements which is only one in a string of changes the scientist is unable to properly cope with as the university declines his plans to change his field of scientific study. Attempting to seek solace in Stuart’s comic book shop, Sheldon discovers it has burned to the ground.
The episode’s B-story continues the storyline of Howard (Simon Helberg and Bernadette (Melissa Rauch) taking care of his injured mother while struggling to find a nurse to last even a few hours with the demanding patient. Stuart’s pain becomes the pair’s unexpected boon when the man beaten down by life proves to be perfect for the job opening.
Although “The Status Quo Combustion” doesn’t come close to solving the living situation pre and post marriage, it does push Sheldon dangerously out of his comfort zone. Playing on the idea of the world-renown scientist as their child (which the show had done several times in the past), Penny and Leonard allow Sheldon to jump a train on his own and get the necessary distance to deal with the changes in his life. It will be interesting to see if his experience changes the character in any significant way and what stories Sheldon may have to share when the show returns in the Fall for its Eighth Season.
