The Big Bang Theory: 10 Of The Worst Episodes, According To Reddit
The Big Bang Theory fans took to Reddit to share their least favorite episodes and why they didn't compare to the rest over 12 seasons.
The Big Bang Theory ran for 12 seasons and 279 episodes. The series was a standout and shed a fun, comical light on the science field while also introducing viewers to a tight-knit group of friends. But, as is the case for shows that run for years, some episodes slip between the cracks and don't have the same charisma as others.
Whether an episode featured a guest star that rubbed fans the wrong way or simply added no substance to the series, certain episodes just didn't compare to the rest, according to fans on Reddit.
10 "The Speckerman Recurrence"
In "The Speckerman Recurrence," Leonard is offered the chance to confront his high school bully, Jimmy - a man who made his life hell for years. Though Jimmy was drunk when Leonard told him how much he hurt him, he surprised all by apologizing. However, Jimmy later fell asleep on Leonard and Sheldon's couch and when he woke up, everything he said the night before was gone - he became the same mean bully he was in school. Leonard and Sheldon had some pretty good comebacks against Jimmy but it was rather sad. Reddit felt the darkness from bullying and found it to be too upsetting to like compared to other episodes.
9 "The Table Polarization"
In the seventh season, Raj needed a transformation because he was tired of sitting on the floor during their group dinners. It was time for the group to start looking into other options, like getting a dining room table. Sheldon, of course, was against this idea and protested against it.
Regardless, Leonard and Penny brought one home anyway. However, as good of an idea as the table was, fans on Reddit found it "boring" and referred to it as a "one-off episode."
8 "The Itchy Brain Simulation"
In "The Itchy Brain Simulation," Leonard feels bad for lying to Sheldon about retuning an overdue DVD seven years prior and vowed to wear an itchy, homemade sweater until he returned it. Fans loved Leonard's dedication to making it up to Sheldon, but Sheldon went too far. As it turned out, Sheldon returned the overdue DVD for Leonard and never told him. He used the itchy sweater as a teachable lesson for Leonard, which some fans loathed, as they felt Sheldon's actions were unjustified and cruel.
7 "The Loobenfeld Decay"
Fans were not thrilled with season 1's "The Loobenfeld Decay." With DJ Qualls guest starring, Leonard and Sheldon found themselves in a web of lies to get out of going to Penny's musical. To make their lie authentic to Penny, Sheldon hired a research assistant at Caltech to portray his drug-addicted cousin, Leo.
Penny took the bait and began interacting and comforting "Leo" after hearing about his backstory - an act that bothered Leonard. However, DJ's Leo was uncompelling and rather irritating. He fit the lie but didn't fit the series.
6 "The Application Deterioration"
"The Application Detoriation" had a big moment in the series that handled the future of the group's pending patent for their gyroscope. However, it looks like Reddit isn't watching this Big Bang Theory episode over and over again. While Sheldon, Howard, and Leonard were dealing with the gyroscope, Raj was conflicted over his breakup from Emily. One fan noted that this episode fell off track for a multitude of reasons. Raj's whiny attitude over being single made it hard to respect him, especially since fans didn't love his ex-girlfriend Emily's character. Viewers also found Bernadette and Howard's pep-talk about Sheldon to be out of sync with the rest of the show.
5 "The Matrimonial Momentum"
The relationship timeline between Penny and Leonard has been in progress since the show's pilot. For a while, it seemed like these two were never going to make it out of the friend zone. In season 9's premiere, however, they took a leap of faith and eloped in Las Vegas. Sadly, the day was tainted for fans. Not only were none of their loved ones there, but Leonard told Penny that he cheated on her mere minutes before saying "I do."
4 "The Skank Reflex Analysis"
After having too much to drink, Penny and Raj woke up naked in the same bed. Penny wanted to keep it a secret from the group and pretend like it didn't happen, but her plan was ruined when Leonard and Sheldon caught them leaving the bedroom together.
In "The Skank Reflex Analysis," Penny deals with the consequences of her actions and hated that she slept with not just her friend, but Leonard's friend. Raj eventually admitted that nothing serious happened and that they just fell asleep, but fans still found a problem with the episode. They were upset with Penny's actions and didn't like how she and Raj handled the situation.
3 "The Wheaton Recurrence"
Penny and Leonard have had their fair share of heartbreaking separations but their first was in "The Wheaton Recurrence." Before Wil Wheaton became a cherished friend, he did what he could to break up Penny and Leonard for the sake of a bowling competition. Distracting Penny with reasons why she should break up with Leonard worked, and she left the bowling alley in tears after telling Leonard she didn't love him. Fans on Reddit found her breakup to be cold, but they also hated how Leonard was acting. He shouldn't have rushed Penny into saying she loved him if it wasn't how she felt.
2 'The Thespian Catalyst'
Raj crosses multiple lines in his relationships over the years, and he always thinks he can get away with it because of his charm and money. Before he "slept" with Penny, he pined after Bernadette for months - even though she was dating Howard. Fans felt it was weird for Raj to want his best friend's girlfriend and didn't like the Bollywood dance scene in "The Thespian Catalyst." They found it cringey and as a result, they often skip the episode.
1 "The Love Spell Potential"
Most of Raj's storylines revolved around his love life (or lack thereof), but it was his on and off relationship with Lucy that some fans despised the most. Reddit didn't gravitate toward's Lucy or her character as a whole. While she and Raj had similar anxieties, they were not a good match, and it felt forced at times.