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The Big Bang Theory Season 3 Episode 19

The Wheaton Recurrence

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AIRED: Apr 12, 2010

7.6

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Episode Summary

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Sheldon gets to square off on the bowling alley against nemesis Wil Wheaton. Meanwhile, Leonard's miffed when Penny doesn't respond the way he hoped after saying, "I love you."

Fan Episode Reviews (10)

bleh yuck

6.5

By ltcomstella, Aug 06, 2012

will wheadon returns to stick another win over shildon with low pathetic tactics

and he breaks up penny and lennard

for a comedy show why give us such a bummer of plot line..

stupid writers should be ashamed..
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8.0

By Canogaparkcindy, Jan 25, 2011

Leonard & Penny break up, and all I can say is "Thank god" I'm not saying these two are bad together, but their relationship did kind of ruin the chemistry the show had in it's first 2 seasons. Although I had gotten used to the relationship, I hope we get to see more of how it used to be. Of course, this should happen after the post-breakup episodes, which I hope don't last that long either.

Penny broke my heart in the end when she burst in to tears. I didn't like that Will Wheaton was the reason that they broke up, and to win a bowling tournament? Really? Sheldon was great as usual, but can I ask, when were any of these people in a bowling team? Oh well, I guess it fit well with the story line. Great episode overall, looking forward to see what's to come.moreless
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The Wesley Crushers

7.0

By thefanof, Jun 04, 2010

It's bad enough when shows steal content from others, but tonight's Big Bang Theory actually used the exact same line from Chuck Lorre's other show, Two and a Half Men! There was an episode where a woman told Charlie she loved him, to which he replied, "Thank you." Sound familiar?

I had heard rumblings about a break-up between Penny and Leonard, and honestly, I couldn't care much either way. I don't really care about their relationship, and the show would honestly be better without any of the stars dating each other. Now, a Sheldon and Penny supercouple, I would be on board with that.

The Wil Wheaton return here was alright, but I hope this is the end of him for at least a few years. It was a clever gag the first time, but if he pops up every few months it will get really old, really fast.

Solid effort put forth by Bang tonight, but it certainly could have been better.moreless
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Wil MAKES this episode. The Leonard/Penny plot development is a pale second to that.

10

By FizzXXX, May 24, 2010

For months I've awaited an upcoming episode called, "The Wheaton Recurrence". Huge anticipation. The kind of anticipation that is usually for nought. You know, like, "the Grand Canyon is AWESOME". Which it is, BTW. A someone else said, it (the canyon) is (also) amazing for actually EXCEEDING your expectations. Well, albeit on a smaller smaller scale, I found this episode to be like THAT!

Nr. Wheaton (or the character, 'Wheaton!'? I'm confused - I hope they're different) is hilarious, auto-iconclastic, charming, and evil! And he outwits physics professors: how much smarter can one get!

I'm trying to start a rumor (please help me with this): there's a remake of 'Silence of the Lambs' in the works, and they haven't found the right Hannibal! Oh, Oh, I know who can do it!moreless
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No More Wheaton! I gave it a 6 rating. Not really that funny...they seem to be breaking up Penny & Leonard and left us now hanging for 3 more weeks until the season finale.moreless

6.0

By JohnDee2, May 06, 2010

Is this the last episode with Will Wheaton?He is quite annoying, not the least bit funny in my opinion,and doesn't really do much to fill the "guest star" role.

Secondly, why bother with so much build up over the years getting Penny & Leonard together...finally hooking up this season...only to now break them up with the season finale?Is Kaley Cuoco leaving the show?I can't really see her role anymore if she's not with Leonard or he's not trying to pursue her.

Oh well,just some food for thought.Not the greatest episode...now he have to wait 3 more weeks for the season finale.moreless
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Cast & Crew: STARS

EDIT

Johnny Galecki	Leonard Hofstadter
Jim Parsons	Sheldon Cooper
Kaley Cuoco	Penny
Simon Helberg	Howard Wolowitz
Kunal Nayyar	Rajesh Koothrappali

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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

EDIT

Kevin Sussman	Stuart	Recurring Role
Wil Wheaton	Himself	Recurring Role

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Episode Photos

Sheldon (Jim Parsons) battles Wil Wheato...

© 2010 CBS Corporation
Kaley Cuoco, Kunal Nayyar and Simon Helb...

© 2010 CBS Corporation
A fight between Leonard (Johnny Galecki)...

© 2010 CBS Corporation
Sheldon (Jim Parsons) battles Wil Wheato...

© 2010 CBS Corporation

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (1)
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- Wil Wheaton bowls left handed, however when they show his strike, the ball hooks the opposite way of a left-handed bowler's ball.
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QUOTES (1)
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- Howard: Hey, I just wanted to tell you, I'm a big fan.
  Wil Wheaton: Oh, thanks.
  Howard: I'm sure you're probably sick of Star Trek questions, but Whoopi Goldberg, you ever hit that?
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NOTES (3)
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- This episode's end titles has Chuck Lorre's Vanity Card #284.
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- The Italian episode title is "Il ritorno di Wheaton", meaning "Wheaton Returns". The German title is "Das L-Wort", meaning "The L-word". The French title is "La Récurrence de Wheaton".
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- International Airdates: Latin America: May 4, 2010 on Warner Channel; Australia: May 24, 2010 on Channel 9; United Kingdom: July 1, 2010 on E4; Finland: December 27, 2010 on Sub; Czech Republic: January 3, 2011 on Prima COOL; Turkey: February 7, 2011 on CNBC-e; Slovakia: November 11, 2011 on Markiza
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ALLUSIONS (3)
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- Wil Wheaton tells Sheldon to, "embrace the Dark Side," referring to Darth Vader's request of Luke Skywalker in the original Star Wars trilogy.
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- Before bowling, Sheldon places his hands on the ball and says, "I am the ball. My thoughts are its thoughts. Its holes are my holes." This is similar to the Vulcan Mind-meld technique from Star Trek, with, "My mind to your mind... my thoughts to your thoughts...," further cementing the Sheldon-Spock similarity.
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- After bringing Penny food to calm her and explaining he learned it from the comic strip Cathy, Sheldon tells her, "if you were a cat, I would have brought you a lasagna," referring to the title cat in Garfield, whose favorite food is lasagna.
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