The Big Bang Theory: The Skywalker Incursion (8x19)

Another really fun episode that utilized all of the characters in interesting ways, and continued A-plot threads as well. Let's do each plot separately.

Leonard and Sheldon are on their way to Berkeley to give a talk on their recently published paper. Since they have some extra time, they decide to try and stop by at Skywalker Ranch to see if they can get in and meet George Lucas. Of course they can't - the security guard won't let them in. Sheldon tries to make a break for it and get inside, but he is caught and tased by security guards. Sheldon and Leonard are both put in a holding room for a while, but they are released with a warning never to come back. Leonard is angry at Sheldon for getting them into trouble and forcing them to miss their lecture, but Sheldon reminds Leonard that it was still a cool adventure, and Leonard admits that it was fun to see Sheldon getting tased.

So... this was fun. I do think it would have been cool if we could have actually seen something of Skywalker Ranch, so I felt like there were some missed opportunities there. However, I enjoyed the special attention paid to Leonard and Sheldon's friendship. Their conversation about music in the car was particularly hilarious. Sheldon analyzes "Play that Funky Music," wondering if the song is the music that the "white boy" eventually plays. He then declares that he doesn't like it, because music should just be fun, it shouldn't be so complicated. I also liked the way Sheldon tried to cheer Leonard up by reminding him that he'd gotten to see him tased. Sheldon knew that Leonard would find that entertaining!

Meanwhile, the rest of the gang are getting ready for a garage sale to help get rid of the extra stuff at Mrs. Wolowitz's house. While they're pricing the stuff, they come across a full-sized TARDIS from Doctor Who. Howard refuses to sell it, while Bernadette is determined to. Howard and Bernadette agree to decide whether to sell or not over a game of ping pong. Penny plays as Bernadette's champion, while Raj plays as Howard's champion. At first, Raj is winning. Then, Bernadette suggests that if Howard doesn't get to keep the TARDIS, then maybe Raj could have it. Raj decides to lose on purpose so Howard will have to give it up.

Howard demands a new champion - Amy, who never had anybody to play with as a child, is very good at serving the ball, but can't do anything after that. Amy agrees to be Howard's new champion. Penny doesn't stand a chance against Amy, so Raj takes over as Bernadette's champion. Amy is so good at serving that Raj has no chance against her serves. But when it's Raj's turn to serve, Amy is so bad at everything else that she can't return a single one. It's a stalemate. Until Bernadette suggests that if Amy gets the TARDIS for herself, she can use it on her bedroom door and maybe entice Sheldon. Amy throws the game and Howard loses out. Amy gets to use the TARDIS. Unfortunately, Sheldon is more interesting in cosplaying as the Doctor than actually spending any time in Amy's bedroom.

Okay. I do have one qualm about this plot thread, and it only just now occurred to me as I was writing the summary. Howard and Raj both want the TARDIS because they're nerds who like Doctor Who. Amy wants it to impress her boyfriend. I'm constantly annoyed by the lack of pop culture female nerds on this show. Why is it that the guys are both brilliant scientists and obsessive fan boys, but the girls can only be the scientists, and aren't allowed to like things like Doctor Who or Star Trek? Ugh.

However, this plot thread did have a lot of hilarious moments. Penny was the star of the show. She wants to help Bernadette get rid of the TARDIS, to "send that TARDIS back to Gallifrey where I hate that I know it belongs." That was delightful. Penny's disdain for sci fi shows works really well, because it's a recurring plot point - and it's true, not everybody likes that kind of stuff! However, she does like Game of Thrones. It's got dragons and people doing it. Penny also has another hilarious line when Bernadette wants to exchange champions and have Raj play for her instead. She acts all insulted until Bernadette says "oh, like you care!" Penny replies "I care! Oh wait, no I don't." That was hilarious.

I also liked Sheldon's cosplay of the Doctor there at the end. It was a nice move to have him dressed as the fourth Doctor instead of one of the more recent ones.

I think that's where I'll stop. There was that one pitfall in this episode, which brought to my attention the super annoying way this show treats gender. However, despite that, there were a lot of funny and clever moments in here!

8/10