Top 10 Times Leonard was the Best Big Bang Theory Character
#10: When He Went Camping With Howard & Raj “The Adhesive Duck Deficiency”
Leonard and his friends are far from the stoner types. But when he, Howard and Raj unknowingly chow down on some pot cookies, Leonard has some pretty deep thoughts regarding his name. The realization that “Leonard” has the word “nerd” in it really throws him for a loop, while throwing the audience into hysterical fits of laughter. The only thing better than Lenny’s disappointment with his given name is his decision that a really cool name would be “Angelo.” We can’t really argue with him given that Jello really does make everything better.
#9: When He Stopped Being a People Pleaser “The Grant Allocation Derivation”
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to make people happy. But with Leonard, the desire to please everyone else has usually taken priority over his own wants and needs. Well, almost always! In an episode in the show’s final season, Leonard is given the task of allocating extra grant money at the university. And although he at first struggles with trying to not make anyone angry, in the end he makes everyone angry - except for himself! His final decision on who gets the money is a wonderfully selfish move that would - and does - make Sheldon proud.
#8: When He Got Penny to See a Documentary About a Dam “The Ornithophobia Diffusion”
In Season 5, Penny and Leonard go out alone together for the first time since breaking up. The non-date begins at the movies with Penny wanting to see the new Jennifer Aniston flick, which Leonard doesn’t want to see. He almost goes along with it, until he has a moment of personal strength and realization that he doesn’t have to do whatever Penny wants. He stands up for himself, and not only gets Penny to go see a documentary about building a dam in South America, but she also pays for her own ticket!
#7: When He Came up With the Superfluid Idea “The Troll Manifestation”
We all know that Sheldon Cooper is a genius (he certainly isn’t shy about telling everyone). But in case you forgot, so is Leonard. And he proved it in the Season 8 episode, “The Troll Manifestation,” when an idea about superfluids flashed in his head during dinner with Penny. We’re not sure we completely understand the idea or the physics behind it, but Sheldon certainly did and boy was he impressed. And in the end, if a “Me-WOW” cat sticker doesn’t make you the best, then we don’t know what does!
#6: When He Questioned Sheldon the Waiter “The Einstein Approximation"
Top 10 Times Sheldon Was the Best Character on The Big Bang Theory
One of great running gags on the show is Sheldon’s constant questioning of Leonard regarding the specifics of his food. And while funny, it’s also extremely annoying. One has to be impressed with how Leonard puts up with it every time, although it might have to do with the fact that he dealt with the same thing from his mother. But regardless, one of the top Leonard moments occurs when Sheldon takes on the job of waiter at the Cheesecake Factory and Leonard is able to give him a taste of his own medicine.
#5: When He Tried to Learn About Football “The Cornhusker Vortex”
Top 10 Times Raj Was the Best Character on The Big Bang Theory
Leonard is a brilliant guy with a variety of interests, but sports isn’t one of them (except for quidditch and kite fighting, of course). But when Penny doesn’t invite him to hang out with her friends to watch a football game, Leonard takes it upon himself to learn the sport. With the help of Sheldon and a “Football for Dummies” book, he definitely learns the rules and technicalities of the game. Although, relaying that knowledge in public in a way that isn’t awkward - that he didn’t learn. But you gotta give him props for making the effort.
#4: When He Bought Penny a Car “The Friendship Turbulence”
10 Times Penny Was the Best Character on The Big Bang Theory
When Penny decides to quit her job at the Cheesecake Factory in order to focus 100% of her attention on acting, Leonard is - shall we say - less than 100% supportive of the idea. He wants Penny to be successful, but he’s also a realist and not as willing to take the leap of faith Penny is. This, as you may imagine, leads to some conflict in the relationship. But in the end “the romance ninja” makes an amazingly romantic gesture and buys Penny a car so that she can continue to pursue her dreams. They say that diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but in this case, it was a used sedan. And it couldn’t have been more perfect.
#3: When He Forgave His Mother “The Maternal Conclusion”
Top 20 Penny & Leonard Moments on The Big Bang Theory
Leonard’s relationship with his mother had always been strained, with her clinical and emotionless style of parenting leaving Lenny feeling unloved and unsupported, and more like her test subject than her child. In the show’s final season, when Leonard finally thinks he’s connecting with her like he’s always wanted, he finds out she’s only doing it as research for a book. Rather than once again internalizing it and being sad, Leonard finally confronts his mother and - in an even bigger emotional move - forgives her, in order to heal himself. It’s a powerful moment that allowed Leonard to finally leave a lot of baggage behind him.
#2: When He Gave Penny a Snowflake “The Electric Can Opener Fluctuation”
Okay, so if the only grand romantic gesture Leonard had ever done was buying Penny a car, it would have been enough. But it was just one of many things he did for her that made us happy-cry. Again, he doesn’t call himself the “romance ninja” for nothing. In the Season 3 premiere, when the guys come back from spending three months in the North Pole, Leonard and Penny finally get together. But Leonard has something more for Penny besides his passionate longing. Something that is at once both ubiquitous and completely unique - as well as being super-duper romantic - an arctic snowflake. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. The Cello Apology, “The Egg Salad Equivalency” Even We Wouldn’t Be Able to Stay Mad at Him Standing Up to Kurt, “The Middle-earth Paradigm” David Defeats Goliath Once Again Getting a Girl’s Digits in the Comic Book Store, “The Good Guy Fluctuation” An Accomplishment That Gets Him Immortalized on the Wall of Heroes
#1: When He Cried with Sheldon “The Space Probe Disintegration”
Top 10 Times Sheldon Was a Savage on The Big Bang Theory
For all the jokes Leonard makes and for as difficult as Sheldon can be, these two really are the best of friends who - as Leonard explained to Professor Proton - need each other. This is captured perfectly in one moment in Season 8 as the best friends talk about living arrangements. Leonard lets out all his built-up frustrations about not being able to live with the woman he loves because of Sheldon. And Sheldon, in a rare moment of emotional honesty, breaks down at the thought of not living with his best friend - which, of course, makes Leoanrd cry as well. Even though they do eventually stop being roommates, as Sheldon tells Leonard at the former’s wedding - he’ll always be his problem.
