History Recap / TheBigBangTheoryS12E24TheStockholmSyndrome

* AndTheAdventureContinues: Much of the season was setting up big events for certain characters, almost as though it was the beginning of a new StoryArc, but had very [[CutShort little in the way of an actual resolution]]. Thus things like Stuart and Denise moving in together, Raj calling off his engagement to wait for someone he truly loves and Penny stepping into a new pharmaceutical career path has no continuation but serves as an [[OntologicalInertia open-ended but optimistic conclusion for those plotlines]]. This episode itself is monumental in that Sheldon and Amy earn a Nobel Prize while Leonard and Penny are expecting a baby, but this doesn't change the paradigm of the last twelve years of the show[[note]]Compared to [[Series/{{Friends}} characters moving away]] or [[Series/TheMaryTylerMooreShow everyone losing their jobs]][[/note]]. [[HappilyEverAfter The last image is the main cast enjoying take-out together like they do in the opening credits]].

* BabiesEverAfter: It's revealed that Leonard and Penny are expecting a child with Penny is two months pregnant.

* JerkassRealization: When Sheldon once again angers his friends by not caring at all about their personal lives, they are beginning to consider going home. They don't feel like supporting Sheldon when he never does so for them. When Sheldon complains about this to Amy, she tells him that he has been putting his needs over his friends and the only reason they have tolerated it for years is because he has [[InnocentlyInsensitive never meant to]]. Sheldon asks if this also includes her. She sadly says that, at times, it has. This leaves him stunned.

* GenderNeutralPronoun: When Sheldon congratulates Leonard for his expecting child as an apology for his bad initial reaction to the news, he mentions, "I can't wait to meet it."

* TheReveal: We finally see Haley and Michael Wolowitz in person.

That all started with the Big Bang. ♫''

Math, science, history, unraveling the mysteries...\\

* TheReasonYouSuckSpeech: Amy gives Sheldon one for letting his InnocentlyInsensitive and selfish behavior get in the way of his big day.

* LastEpisodeThemeReprise: An acoustic version of the theme song is played on the final scene.

* ThrowingOutTheScript: Sheldon prepared a very self-centered Nobel Prize speech that calls out everyone who ever doubted he'd win, starting with his high school science teacher, as well as extensive rambling about his childhood in a ham-fisted attempt to be "warm and relatable". Plus, he planned to make it last ninety minutes (even when taking MotorMouth to account). When the time finally comes to deliver his speech, he decides to set his prepared one aside and give credit to his friends and family for their roles in molding him into the man he is today. He even makes his friends in the audience stand up so they can share in his spotlight.

The earth began to cool,\\
The autotrophs began to drool\\

-->''♫ Our whole universe was in a hot, dense state
Then nearly fourteen billion years ago expansion started, wait...
The earth began to cool, the autotrophs began to drool
Neanderthals developed tools
We built a wall, we built the pyramids
Math, science, history, unraveling the mysteries

-->'''Leonard''': I guess we'll be staying.