Top 10 Times Penny Was a Savage on The Big Bang Theory
#10: Messing with Raj “The Vengeance Formulation”
As you likely recall, in the earlier seasons of “The Big Bang Theory,” Raj struggled with speaking to most women - unless he was intoxicated. We’re told he suffers from selective mutism, a very real and severe anxiety disorder. Unfortunately, on the show, it’s often played for laughs. It was perhaps best encapsulated by this exchange between Penny and Raj. Penny walks into the apartment and immediately addresses Koothrappali. He freezes up and looks crestfallen as the pressure builds. What was she expecting? That somehow the element of surprise would free him from his disorder? She then reveals she’s just messing with him, and everyone laughs. But you have to admit: that was pretty brutal.
#9: Directing Sheldon to the Right Person “The Hamburger Postulate”
Sheldon’s a creature of habit, and he values a rigid routine. In this episode, he’s finally become accustomed to the burgers at The Cheesecake Factory and considers making the establishment his permanent Tuesday eatery. Since this is still pretty early in their friendship, Penny hasn’t yet warmed up to Sheldon or grown accustomed to his jibber-jabber. So, when he asks her about the possibility of reserving their table every week for the foreseeable future, she dismisses his query with a snarky retort. Leonard’s amused, but he’s the only one laughing at their table. Poor Sheldon, always misunderstood. Still, no one could fault Penny for beating around the bush.
#8: Keeping Her Libido in Check “The White Asparagus Triangulation”
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Sheldon has a habit of speaking out of line. However, Penny's never afraid to put him back in his place. In season two, Leonard starts dating Dr. Stephanie Barnett, much to Sheldon's delight. He tells Penny that out of all of Leonard's girlfriends, she's the only one he finds "tolerable"— yes, Penny included. Then, in a very Sheldon-esque way, he asks his neighbor to refrain from acting upon her urges so as to not come between Leonard and his Sheldon-approved paramour. Penny's unimpressed and responds with a biting remark. Unfortunately, her fiery comeback is lost on Sheldon. However, we all got it and collectively "oohed" and gasped at our televisions.
#7: Sheldon’s an Alien “The Large Hadron Collision”
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Throughout the show, it’s been implied that Sheldon’s either a robot or not of this planet. Penny seems to buy into the latter, based on a couple of cutting remarks she’s thrown his way over the years. For instance, after their apartment gets robbed, Sheldon decides to leave Pasadena forever, leading Penny to ask him how the mothership will find him if he keeps moving around. A few episodes later, Sheldon corners her in the laundry room to convince her to let him take her place on Leonard’s Switzerland trip. She knows what’s coming and responds with a suitably disparaging clap back. We don’t know if aliens exist, but Penny makes some pretty compelling albeit sarcastic arguments.
#6: Helping Leonard Get His Tuition Refunded “The Itchy Brain Simulation”
Leonard agrees to walk a mile in Sheldon’s metaphorical shoes until he resolves the problem of a long overdue DVD. The idea is that a sweater will represent Sheldon’s figuratively itchy brain when it comes to unresolved issues. However, things quickly spiral out of hand when what was seemingly an easy task soon becomes an impossible mission. Leonard spends much more time in the uncomfortable garment than expected, and it starts taking a physical and emotional toll. Penny urges him to take it off when Sheldon isn’t around, but he refuses. So, she tries another, more direct approach to highlight his stupidity. We wonder what stung more: that sweater or Penny’s sharp tongue.
#5: Penny Takes Down Howard “The Killer Robot Instability”
Top 20 Times Penny was a Savage on The Big Bang Theory
Being a savage isn’t necessarily a bad thing, and sometimes it’s even warranted. Case-in-point: Penny reaches her breaking point with Howard’s incessant lewd remarks and lets him have it. She doesn’t hold back, and her harsh words leave everyone in stunned silence. In her defense, Penny had been warding off Howard’s crudeness for ages while he showed no consideration for her feelings. Yes, Howard’s feelings got hurt by her scathing remarks, but at least he finally got the message. Many fans believed this was a turning point for Howard Wolowitz, and he was better off for it. And we have Penny and her barbed words to thank for that.
#4: The Importance of 21 Seconds “The 21-Second Excitation”
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In this episode, the guys enthusiastically get ready to go watch a version of “Raiders of the Lost Ark” that contains 21 extra seconds of footage that’s never been released. Howard extends the invitation to Penny, but she’s not exactly grabbing her fedora and whip and jumping for joy. She even pokes a little fun at the guys over their excitement. Leonard comments that they’d still be a couple if she understood the value of an extra 21 seconds, but Penny disagrees. It’s rather harsh, especially in front of his friends, but still incredibly funny. If the joke went over your head, Howard and Raj are on hand to help bring it home. Leonard might want some ice for that double burn.
#3: Fighting with Sheldon “The Panty Piñata Polarization”
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In arguably one of the most iconic episodes, Penny and Sheldon engage in battle after he banishes her from the apartment. The escalating feud sees both pull out all the stops to come out on top, and some of it is plain vicious. However, it also gives us some of our favorite acerbic quotes courtesy of this Nebraska native. Penny delivers the first blow when she refuses to take Sheldon’s order at The Cheesecake Factory. Later during their heated exchange in the laundry room, she fires back at Sheldon with the ultimate comeback. Perhaps she has no idea what Sheldon’s talking about, but that doesn’t stop her from getting the last stinging word.
#2: Poking Fun at Howard’s Dating Record “The Cushion Saturation”
Until Penny introduced him to Bernadette, Howard’s dating record wasn’t exactly something to write home about. We’re told that his dates usually required payment or inflating, and his handful of flings never lasted long. So when he gets a phone call during dinner and happily declares that he’s going to get busy that night, Penny’s understandably confused. What she doesn’t know is that Howard and Leslie Winkle have recently started a friends-with-benefits relationship. So when he gleefully shares his evening plans, she jumps straight to the most logical explanation. Penny’s a master of throwing shade at the guys, but this has to be one of her finest and funniest moments of savagery. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Getting Back at Leonard, “The Raiders Minimization” This Is Why You Don’t Mess with Penny With Your Face, “The Geology Methodology” If Her Words Don’t Say It, Her Face Will No Robot Is a Match for Penny, “The Robotic Manipulation” Sheldon Might Want to Think Twice about Supporting the Robot Uprising Penny’s Not into Howard & Raj’s New Look, “The Gothowitz Deviation” Telling It Like It Is Penny’s Magic Potion, “The Love Spell Potential” It Really Works!
#1: Avenging Sheldon (& Glen the Battle Ostrich) “The Zarnecki Incursion”
While the guys are often the primary targets of Penny’s caustic tongue, they’ve also benefited from it. When Sheldon’s “World of Warcraft” game gets hacked, they venture on an unsuccessful mission to retrieve the stolen virtual goods. To add insult-to-injury, Leonard’s car breaks down on the way home, so they call Penny to pick them up. She decides to show them how to get revenge in Nebraska-style and confronts Sheldon’s online nemesis. If Penny’s words didn’t sting, then her sharp kick most certainly did. We’re not condoning violence, of course. Say what you will about Penny, but she knows how to get a job done. And when she goes into savage beast mode, it’s usually a bonus.
