The Big Bang Theory

Season 2 Episode 15

The Maternal Capacitance

Favorite
11
8.3
out of 10
User Rating
616 votes
14

EPISODE REVIEWS
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Episode Summary

EDIT
A visit from Leonard's mother ends up bringing him and Penny closer.
SUBMIT REVIEW
  • Leonard's mother visits.

    7.8
    Having Two and a Half Men air before this will certainly help the ratings, but it also exposed how much better the show is than Chuck Lorre's newer series.



    Christine Baranski did an excellent job as Leonard's mother, and her exchanges were great, but everything else about this episode just felt, sort of there. There was no need to have the "two friends, let's pretend their gay subplot with Kuthrapali and Wolowitz. We clearly know they are not, and such a generic concept is beneath this show.



    I did laugh a lot though, so I cannot discount that, but not the best half hour of the year by a long shot.moreless
  • 215

    10
    Probably the best by far. Maybe I'm being a little biased and a little too generous with my rating but this would definitely have to be one of the funniest, most eventful half our of television I have seen. Other sitcoms should watch TBBT and take notes, seriously, this is what a good sitcom should be.



    Not only was it absolutely hilarious with Leonard's mother and Sheldon interacting but it was also surprisingly eventful. We haven't got a Penny/Leonard hinting since the beginning of the season. Mostly we've been getting Sheldon-based episodes which isn't necassarily a bad thing when it comes to comedy but it looks like this show mastered both the continuity and comedy tonight.



    Penny & Leonard almost having sex was big, not to mention the events leading up to this occurence was hysterical. Knowing this show, the almost hook up wont change much, but it was still great to see. Perfect TBBT tonight, best by far.moreless
  • American comedy at it's best!

    9.5
    The Big Bang Theory is one of my favourite shows on telly at the moment. It's so original and funny! All five of the main cast work so well together and have amazing chemistry with each other and guest star Christine Baranski fitted in superb and was extremely believable as Leonard's mother.



    This episode was hilarious from the beginning with Sheldon, Raj and Howard playing on Guitar Hero (I think) and continued throughout. Sheldon and Leonard's mother made a absolutely hilarious couple - so alike and had amazing chemistry together as actors and characters. Also I loved seeing Penny and Leonard drawing closer together especially when Leonard explained his 'hugging machine'. Although I'm glad they didn't go all the way as it is defiantly too soon for Leonard and Penny to become a committed couple.



    I haven't got much to say because I can barely control myself with laughter as I keep thinking of Sheldon and Leonard's mother singing on the karaoke.



    Overall a truly amazing episode that I could watch over and over!moreless
  • Hide feelings shows up

    10
    I loved this episode, beside the fact that Leonard mother is in for visit, she is like the female older version of Sheldon! Also, it always is funny how the guys share his friendship between jokes and situations. I particularly loved of this episode that Penny did has some feeling towards Leonard, and he, as a nerd, does not knows how to act and react for it....he keeps messing opportunity with Penny, but obviously, Penny does like Leonard beyond as a friend. Also, it was funny to watch how Sheldon bonded emotionally with Leonard's mom, as he is one character that seem to never have a date on the show, it was funny to see how "almost" he did has a date. I love this show!moreless
  • rock band, Leonard mom mocking Raj and Kothrabali !!! Sheldon with Leonard Mom, Penny and Leonard Kissing!!!

    10
    ok ok ok a lot happened in this episode, first it was Hilarious xD

    i mean come on wasnt it hilarious when the guys was rockin!!!! hahahaha i think they can break it through lool

    and Leonard MOM!!!she is semething .. i loved how she made Penny cry and how she Mock the Raj and korthabali about that they are married and stuff that was crazy man !!!!

    and the best part Sheldon loved Leonard mom, and he actually wanted her, for the first time in the show we see Sheldon into someone and it was Leonard mom !!!! hahahaha the way the sang stupid!!!loool xD

    and how Leonard and Penny was about to have sex sweeet stupid Leonard he cant help he just need to act stupid.

    one of the best episodes ever!!!moreless

Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

FILTER BY TYPE

  • TRIVIA (1)

  • QUOTES (10)

    • Sheldon: What are the odds that two individuals as unique as ourselves would be connected by someone as comparatively workaday as your son?
      Beverly: Is that a rhetorical point, or would you like to do the math?
      Sheldon: I'd like to do the math.

    • Sheldon: I've always hated how my right frontal lobe looks in pictures.
      Beverly: Common complaint among men—nothing's ever big enough. Except when they get a tumor—then you don't hear the end of it.

    • Penny: What was Leonard like when he was little?
      Beverly: Oh, I think you mean young. He's always been little.

    • Penny: Wait, wait, [Beverly] is not going to come here looking for you, is she?
      Leonard: Relax, she took Sheldon into a hospital to get a brain scan.
      Penny: Oh, my God, what happened?
      Leonard: Nothing. Mother likes looking at brains, and Sheldon likes getting his brain scanned.

    • Leonard: Howard lives with his mother, and Raj can't speak to women unless he's drunk. Go!
      Beverly: Oh, that's fascinating. Selective mutism is quite rare. On the other hand, an adult Jewish male living with his mother is so common, it borders on sociological cliché.
      Howard: It's just temporary. I pay rent.
      Leonard: He lives in the same room where his bassinet was.
      Beverly: You know, both selective mutism and an inability to separate from one's mother can stem from a pathological fear of women. It might explain why the two of you have created an ersatz homosexual marriage to satisfy your need for intimacy.
      Howard: Say what?

    • Beverly: Your uncle Floyd died.
      Leonard: Oh, my god, what happened?
      Beverly: His heart stopped beating.

    • (Penny complains while the gang plays Rock Band)
      Howard: Penny, come on, we're just finding our sound.
      Penny: You found it. It's the sound of a cat being run over by a lawn mower

    • Penny: You must be Leonard's mother.
      Beverly: I don't know if I must be, but yes.

    • Sheldon: I would very much like to read about your sex life.
      Beverly: Well, it's all on-line.

    • Sheldon: In bladder-voiding—as in real estate—it's location, location, location.

  • NOTES (6)

  • ALLUSIONS (1)

    • Raj says Leonard is, "like the Jar-Jar Binks of the Hofstadter family," referring to a character first introduced in Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace.

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