The Big Bang Theory: The Tesla Recoil (11x08)

Mostly I'm just shrugging at this episode, although it was one of the most entertaining outings this show has offered in a while...

Cons:

Raj and Ruchi break up after Raj confronts her about the state of their relationship. This is tagged on to a subplot about professional rivalry between Ruchi and Bernadette, and seems to come completely out of left field. Every time this show tries to set up some serious potential for Raj, they never let it go anywhere. It's frustrating, not because I care about Raj getting a happy ending with a beautiful woman he definitely doesn't deserve, but because I'm sick and tired of watching Raj-tries-to-find-love plots. They need to find something new to do with his character.

I remember when I once had high hopes that the military technology plot would be a real through-line, something to develop and grow over time. Instead, it gets dropped completely for long stretches, brought back up for a quick second and then taken away again. It's annoying and boring. I actually like the stuff with the guidance system and the guys working with the military, which is why it's always frustrating to see it come and go so quickly.

Pros:

I do kind of like the idea of Ruchi swooping in and trying to take over Bernie's job while she's out for her pregnancy. Raj is right in saying that Bernadette would have done the exact same thing to Ruchi, if given the chance. I like evidence of this sort of hilariously ruthless behavior in the workplace. It would be fun to follow Bernie to work sometimes and see what she gets up to.

I also liked the Tesla vs. Edison debate that raged throughout this episode, as Sheldon, Leonard, and Howard each wonder if they're more of a Tesla (genius who is underappreciated in his own time) or an Edison (someone who gets famous off of other people's ideas). They spend so long fighting over who gets credit for their navigation and communications systems that Barry Kripke ends up getting the credit in the end, proving himself the ultimate Edison, and the three guys as Teslas.

So, there were actually elements in this episode that I found fun, which is a rarity nowadays. I'd say if you took Raj's difficult love life out of the mix, this episode would actually get even higher marks!

8/10