Top 20 Times The Big Bang Theory Tackled Serious Issues
#20: Parental Infidelity
“The Hot Tub Contamination”
Right up there with “Bazinga,” Sheldon’s compulsive knocks are one of the most memorable aspects to his character. Up until Season 10, audiences just thought it was another quirky mannerism; the truth was far darker. In a conversation with Penny, Sheldon shares the fact that he began knocking three times after accidentally walking in on his father with a woman who wasn’t his mother. We’d heard plenty of tidbits of his dad, but infidelity wasn’t one of them. It’s a surprising revelation that both gives audiences an origin story and provides insight into the various ways children might deal with learning harsh truths about their parents.
#19: Can Exes Be Friends?
“The Spaghetti Catalyst”
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Ask any two people who’ve failed at a romantic relationship and you’ll get answers that run the gamut. “The Big Bang Theory” takes this quandary on when Penny and Leonard break up near the end of Season 3. Sheldon wishes to remain friends with both of them but is torn due to the tension between the two exes. The episode creatively parallels children caught in the middle of a divorce using the former couple as an analog to parents. Played for laughs, it illustrates the difficulties encountered during the aftermath of a relationship ending. Leonard and Penny share a love for Sheldon which ultimately allows them to continue on as friends.
#18: Physical Intimacy
“The Opening Night Excitation”
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No one could’ve predicted that Sheldon Cooper would become romantically involved with anyone. And yet by the middle of Season 9, we find him choosing Amy over “Star Wars.” The act of being intimate with someone is a milestone in any relationship, let alone one that involves someone like Sheldon. Watching him confer with Arthur about his uncertainties speaks to all of us who experience anxiety about taking a relationship to the next level. It also reinforces the idea that intimacy should be a choice we make when we feel the time is right, and not something you should jump into because you feel pressured to do so.
#17: Divorce
“The Maternal Congruence”
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Deciding to end a marriage is never an easy decision. Having to live through the consequences of it are something else entirely. On “Big Bang,” we got a chance to see how several of these characters handled the news of their parents splitting up. Leonard learned of his mother’s intentions in a quick, off-handed comment. Raj got a phone call about the bad news. Both take it to heart, albeit in very different ways. The show does a great job of balancing the emotional impact of divorce while still finding a way to make us laugh.
#16: Not All Women Feel Maternal
“The Positive Negative Reaction”
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And that’s okay! We can practically hear the collective sigh of relief when Bernadette tells Howard that she doesn’t see motherhood in her future. In a world that tells women that not wanting kids is unnatural or selfish, it’s a huge deal to see someone like Bernadette on our screens. Later, she worries that the societal-dictated maternal gene isn’t kicking in even during her pregnancy. And her anxieties about motherhood interfering with her career are super relatable, too. In Season 12, Penny also reveals that she isn’t sure she wants children. Sure, both become mothers in the end, but the idea that it’s not the only path for women is still out there.
#15: Difficult Friends
“The Stockholm Syndrome”
It’s a question many of us asked over the course of the show’s run. During the final few minutes of the series finale, Amy makes it clear to Sheldon that his ignorance of how terrible he can treat his friends is often the only reason they tolerate him. He’s a complex character who can come across as arrogant, selfish, and in some moments, even narcissistic. But deep under all of that lies a man who holds his friends and family in the highest regard, even though he struggles to show it. Countless episodes showcase how Sheldon is an exercise in how the bonds of friendship run deep, even in those who struggle to understand them.
#14: Inebriated Mistakes
“The Commitment Determination”
From the moment she moves in next door, Leonard is enamored with Penny. In fact, much of the first season showcases the lengths he’s willing to go to win her affections. So as loyal as Leonard is, it comes as a surprise when he confesses to having kissed another woman while out at sea. To the show’s credit, Leonard’s mistake isn’t just swept under the rug. Both his act and the confession to Penny show how even the littlest of indiscretions can be detrimental to a relationship if they aren’t dealt with accordingly. Their open discussion about how best to address the situation illustrates how important communication is.
#13: Death of a Father Figure
“The Proton Transmogrification”
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Sadly, it’s often not until someone has passed away that you realize what they really meant to you. We often forget to express our gratitude and love to those closest to us until it’s too late. This is the lesson Arthur Jeffries, aka Professor Proton attempts to impart on Sheldon not long after becoming one with the Force. Sheldon isn’t necessarily the most emotionally aware person out there, but even he knows how much his closest friends and his family truly mean to him. When Leonard walks in to check on him, Sheldon latches on, having learned how to appreciate those around us while we can.
#12: Hoarding
“The Solder Excursion Diversion”
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We would have never expected Sheldon to have an issue with hoarding. But after Amy decides to replace his laptop when it finally dies, Sheldon refuses to recycle the old one. After swearing her to secrecy, he reveals a storage unit filled with everything he has ever owned. As Sheldon gives Amy a tour, he describes the anxiety he feels whenever he thinks of throwing something away. It’s a feeling that rings true in the real world for those who share Sheldon’s inability to let things go. Undoubtedly, we all hold onto things we may not need. Seeing someone like Sheldon attempt to make a change is a little inspiring.
#11: Breakups
“The Commitment Determination”
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Over the course of its run, all the male main characters of “The Big Bang Theory” experience some kind of breakup. While both Raj’s and Howard’s relationship mishaps are unfortunate, it’s Leonard’s and Sheldon’s big breakups that really portray the toll the end of a romance can have. Whether it be throwing yourself into work, crying into a pillow, or finding a suitable rebound, everyone handles breakups differently. Where Leonard consistently tries to recapture Penny’s attention, Sheldon simply doesn’t understand the nuances of what a breakup is all about. Like the rest of us, they both emerge better and wiser than they were before.
#10: Friends Are Family
“The Stockholm Syndrome”
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They say you don’t get to pick your family, but that’s not entirely true. We all choose our closest friends who in their own way become a second family to us. When Sheldon accepts his Nobel Prize, it’s not his mother or his siblings who are in the audience; it’s his friends. He acknowledges his “other family,” realizing what many of us often overlook. How often does Sheldon turn to Penny or Leonard for guidance? Even Howard pleads to Raj to stay in Pasadena knowing he shouldn’t get married. They may not be connected by blood, but friendships can often exceed the bonds of family in numerous ways.
#9: Body Insecurities
“The Change Constant”
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By the time we got to the end of the series, we’d seen the characters go through a lot of transformations. Despite repeated jabs by Bernadette and Penny about her choice of clothes and hair, Amy never felt pushed to alter her outward appearance. But that changed when she won her Nobel Prize and had her photograph plastered everywhere. Raj finds her crying in the bathroom after seeing herself in print. Amy’s a character who’s always been proud of who she is. So when we see her so distressed about her body image, it’s heartbreaking. It’s yet one more prime example of the show giving us real-world insecurities we can all relate to.
#8: Career Direction
“The Gorilla Dissolution”
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In one form or another, most people have to earn a living somehow. If you’re lucky, you land your dream job early and spend the rest of your professional life working happily. However, for most people, jobs come and go and we can often wonder if we’re heading in the right direction. “The Big Bang Theory” addresses this career crisis question head on when Penny gets fired from a movie. Anyone who has ever questioned their own motivations behind their current career can identify with her struggles. It’s easy to get lost in the realities of life, forgetting that we should all be doing something we enjoy, not just earning a paycheck.
#7: Fear of Being Mistreated
“The Speckerman Recurrence”
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The idea of being tormented by others is a concept that “The Big Bang Theory” has never shied away from. From losing their pants, to online gaming, and even being physically harassed at a Halloween party, the boys have seen it all. On more than one occasion, the show has taken strides to give us scenes that showcase the long term effects of being mistreated by others. Leonard’s long list of all the things one mean classmate did to him in school shows how deeply he was hurt by such cruel actions. Watching him stand up to someone who tormented him in his apartment, with both contempt and fear in his eyes, is a moment that feels all too real.
#6: Social Anxiety
“The Wildebeest Implementation”
People who have deep feelings of fear or awkwardness about talking to strangers may be experiencing social anxiety. Studies suggest that as many as 12% of the population know exactly what that’s like. This is definitely reflected with several characters in “The Big Bang Theory.” While Raj becomes selectively mute at different points for several seasons, Sheldon’s anxiety about social constructs has been explored multiple times. Raj’s Season 6 girlfriend Lucy also seemed to have severe anxiety as well. Although the show focuses mostly on geek subculture, social anxiety can affect anyone. By showing characters we love experiencing these feelings, it gives us a sense of comfort. Our favorite fictional characters can experience the same things we do and still thrive.
#5: Women in Science
“The Contractual Obligation Implementation”
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Only about a third of the world’s researchers are women. Throughout “The Big Bang Theory,” the show has spoken about women entering and being in scientific fields on several occasions. This includes an entire Season 6 episode dedicated to the main cast trying to encourage a classroom of young women to enter the sciences. A couple of seasons later, Amy speaks of how hard it is for women to be successful in the world of science. It’s fantastic to see the show celebrate accomplishments like Amy’s Nobel Prize later on. Meanwhile, seeing Bernadette and Amy dressed as princesses while trying to convey their love of science is another excellent bit of writing.
#4: An Absent Father
“The Closet Reconfiguration”
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Over the course of the series, Howard has tried many times to bring attention to the fact that his father left his mother when he was a kid. But this event gets highlighted when Sheldon unearths an old letter from Howard’s father. We get to see Howard struggle with the idea of getting answers after so much time. It provides the audience far more insight into his anger and resentment towards his dad. But where this episode shines is the clever twist they use to give Howard enough of an answer to raise his spirits, but still leave room for possibilities. It’s a perfect combination of a tender resolution with comedic timing.
#3: Inappropriate Workplace Behavior
“The Egg Salad Equivalency”
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Sheldon’s always been an intelligent person that tends to miss social cues. But the way he treated his assistant really crossed the line. Sheldon becomes upset when his assistant Alex flirts a little with Leonard outside of work. So, he decides to give her a highly inappropriate lecture about workplace etiquette. Even when he is confronted by HR, he doesn’t initially understand what he’s done wrong. Sheldon’s actions definitely deserved to be called out and brought attention to. Although the episode wraps up with him still in need of improvement, it’s a story that makes clear what isn’t acceptable at work.
#2: Complicated Parent-Child Relationships
“The Maternal Conclusion”
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Throughout the series, the main gang endured less-than-ideal parent-child relationships. Penny’s father wished she was a boy, Raj is too dependent on his folks, and Sheldon and his mom often clash. Howard’s relationship with his mom is infamously unhealthy, and he often mentions that his dad walked out on them. He eventually finds closure for his absent father when Sheldon unearths an old letter from him. Also, whenever we meet Leonard’s mom, we can see how her distant parenting style hurt her son. Indeed, just as he thinks they’re growing closer, he’s bitterly let down once more. However, his choice to forgive her is powerfully poignant. It’s comforting to see hope in their reconciliation.
#1: Loss of a Parent
"The Comic Book Store Regeneration"
For the better part of eight years, Carol Ann Susi played the voice of Howard’s mother. After being diagnosed with cancer, the actress passed away. Instead of simply replacing her, the show decided to lay the character to rest. Howard learns of her passing in a phone call at the comic book store. His collection of friends stand there in disbelief as they process it all. During the episode, the most moving scene occurs when Leonard gives a final toast at his apartment. You can see the sadness in the cast during this goodbye. It’s not the first time a parental figure has died on the show. But Susi’s real-life passing made it more important than ever for us to stop and recognize her loss.
