Top 10 Saddest The Big Bang Theory Moments
#10: Sheldon Says No to Amy "The Platonic Permutation"
Top 10 Penny & Sheldon Moments on The Big Bang Theory
From the moment that Amy ended her relationship with Sheldon, fans were waiting for Shamy to get back together. Needing a break from Sheldon was understandable, but these two were meant to be together. And most of us probably assumed that when Amy was ready to get back together, Sheldon would be too. But alas no. And it wasn’t just the “no” that was sad. His honest reasoning about how hard it was for him to get over her is something that so many of us can relate to from both perspectives.
#9: Sheldon's Pop-Pop “The Santa Simulation"
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What started off as a fun Christmas-themed game of Dungeons & Dragons ends with one of the saddest moments of the series. In this scene, we learn why Sheldon has such disdain for the Christmas season, and more specifically, jolly old St. Nick. Sheldon reveals that his grandfather was the only person in his family that encouraged him to pursue science when he was a kid. And that, when his Pop Pop passed away, he asked Santa to bring him back - which of course didn’t happen. It’s a funny scene, but it’s underlaid with real emotional sadness.
#8: Leonard Forgives His Mother "The Maternal Conclusion"
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Leonard’s relationship, or lack thereof, with his mother was a source of many jokes throughout the run of the series. He’s constantly looking for love, approval and an emotional connection from his mother that never comes. That is, until Leonard, instead of trying to change his mother, decides to forgive her. It’s a truly powerful moment, and as he speaks you can see an emotional weight being lifted off his shoulders. The scene ends with his mother giving him a hug. A real hug. Quite possibly for the first time ever.
#7: Lucy Breaks Up with Raj "The Bon Voyage Reaction"
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Although Raj seemed to fall in love with pretty much any girl that looked his way, Lucy was the first girl he was probably truly in love with. Given her intense social anxiety, Raj had to work extra hard to get her to trust him and keep her from climbing out of the nearest bathroom window. And he did. He was very understanding of her issues, he set up super romantic texting dates and he was quick to apologize when he would push her too far out of her comfort zone. But it wasn’t enough. In the season six finale, Lucy agreed to meet the gang, but in the end it was too much for her and she broke up with Raj... through text!
#6: Penny Breaks Up with Leonard "The Wheaton Recurrence"
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Yes, they’ve had their ups and downs, almost breakups and so on, and they were sad every time. But this is the one that hurt the most. It all began when Leonard told Penny he loved her for the first time and Penny didn’t return the sentiment. This is a tipping point moment in any relationship and it was in this one as well. Leonard tried to play it cool and understanding about them being at different places in the relationship. But he wasn’t, and he couldn’t stop pressuring Penny about the unreturned “L” bomb. Finally, with a little evil-genius coaxing from Wil Wheaton, she dropped the break-up bomb on Leonard, breaking his heart, and ours.
#5: Sheldon Is a Selfish Jerk “The Stockholm Syndrome”
The Big Bang Theory VS Young Sheldon
Sheldon being selfish and inconsiderate was the source of much of the comedy on the show, but his selfishness hit a high point in the series finale. And it wasn’t funny. The gang all went to Sweden to celebrate Sheldon and Amy winning the Nobel Prize. But before they got to the ceremony, Sheldon managed to selfishly piss off every one of his friends. So much so that they all considered leaving. The saddest moment came when Amy had to call him out and tell him that the reason their friends were “abandoning” them was because he “broke their hearts.”
#4: Amy Breaks Up with Sheldon "The Commitment Determination"
Top 20 Saddest The Big Bang Theory Moments
As patient and understanding as Raj was with Lucy, Amy was ten times that when it came to her relationship with Sheldon. And there was no doubting that they both truly did love each other - which made their break up that much sadder. This wasn’t something Amy wanted to do or was happy to do. It was something that she needed to do, even though it was hurting her as much as Sheldon. And as if that wasn’t sad enough, this moment turns the sadness meter up to eleven when we find out that Sheldon had a ring and was planning on proposing to Amy before she ended things.
#3: Stuart's Comic Book Store Burns Down “The Status Quo Combustion”
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At the beginning of the series, Stuart went on a couple dates with Penny and in the final season he falls in love with a great girl and they move in together. But in between those high points, Stuart had a whole lot of lows. And no moment was lower or sadder than when his comic book store burned down. For a guy who already seemed to be having a tough time with life, seeing his business destroyed felt like life really was picking on him. The studio audience's shocked and saddened reaction to the destruction is the perfect sonic representation of what we all felt in that moment.
#2: Professor Proton Dies "The Proton Transmogrification"
Professor Proton was the host of a science show for kids back when Sheldon and Leonard were growing up. His importance to Sheldon during his younger, friendless years can’t be overstated. The guys become somewhat friendly with him at the end of season 6, but near the end of the 7th season Professor Proton passed away. At first Sheldon acts like it doesn’t affect him, not going to the funeral and focusing instead on Star Wars Day. But when Leonard returns from the funeral, Sheldon can’t deny it anymore. The pain and sadness he has been trying to ignore comes out in a moment of heartache that anyone who has lost someone important to them can relate to. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. When the Power Goes Out, "The Leftover Thermalization" The Last Food Howard’s Mother Ever Made Is Going to Spoil: Time for a Big Bang Feast Priya Cheated on Leonard, "The Good Guy Fluctuation" They Try to Make It Work Long Distance, but When Priya Sleeps with Her Ex, It’s All Over Penny Is Cut from “NCIS,” "The Hesitation Ramification" Penny’s Big Break Ends up on the Cutting Room Floor Why Sheldon Knocks 3 Times, "The Hot Tub Contamination" Walking in on His Father with Another Woman Was the Sad Catalyst for the 3 Knocks
#1: Howard’s Mother Dies "The Comic Book Store Regeneration"
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For eight seasons, Howard’s mother was just a loud, screeching voice coming from off-screen. We never saw her face, but she was as important as almost anyone on the show. After his father left when he was a young boy, Howard and his mom only had each other. Howard would make jokes about her dying, but there was never any doubt about how much he loved her. And so did we. Which made Howard’s shocking announcement that she had passed away such a truly sad moment. If you didn’t shed a tear at any of the other moments on this list, there is no way your eyes stayed dry this episode.
