"The Codpiece Topology" is an episode of The Big Bang Theory that first aired on September 29, 2008. Directed by Mark Cendrowski. Teleplay by Bill Prady and Lee Aronsohn based on a story by Chuck Lorre.
Looks like Leonard and Penny won't be going out on a second date. Coming back from a Renaissance fair, Leonard learns that Penny's now dating Eric (Travis Schuldt). This prompts Leonard to seek out Leslie (Sara Gilbert), who decides she now wants to have a more traditional romantic relationship with Leonard. However, Leslie's game for Leonard trying to make Penny jealous.
Sheldon's annoyed by being put out of the apartment so that Leonard and Leslie can have privacy. Sheldon figures out a way to get Leslie out: he gets the two of them arguing over whether their children will be taught string theory or quantum loop gravity. Leonard prefers string theory but is willing to let their potential children pick their own theory. This is a deal breaker for Leslie.
Tropes
- Anachronism Stew: Sheldon's complaint about the Renaissance fair. Raj convinces him to come back by pretending to be a Star Trek officer (possibly Spock) exploring a planet similar to Earth in the fifteen-hundreds.
- Book Ends: The episode begins and ends with Howard, Leonard, Raj and Sheldon at a renaissance fair. In the beginning, Sheldon's dressed as a monk, at the end as Commander Spock.
- Does This Remind You of Anything?: Leonard and Leslie's argument over philosophical spacetime beliefs resembles a couple arguing over differing religious beliefs.
- Expospeak Gag: While talking about Leslie Winkle.Howard: I'd hit that.
Sheldon: You'd hit particulate soil on a colloidal suspension. [Howard looks confused] Mud. - Minor Flaw, Major Breakup: Leslie breaks up with Leonard over philosophical differences regarding their preferred model of spacetime (Leslie supports loop quantum, and often clashes over it with Sheldon, who goes in for string theory, but Leonard doesn't actually care, and would have let their hypothetical children decide for themselves).Leslie Winkle: I’m sorry, Leonard. I could have accepted our children not being able to eat ice cream or see a good view of a parade, but this? This is a deal breaker.
- My Friends... and Zoidberg:Leslie Winkle: Hello, fellow scientists... Sheldon.
- Renaissance Fair: The episode opens with the guys returning from a ren faire in full costume. Sheldon found it too anachronistic for his tastes and refuses to return, until Raj convinces him that he can go as Mr. Spock exploring a planet similar to Medieval-era Earth.
- Sexiled: Sheldon is asked to leave the apartment while Leonard is with Leslie. He spends it on the stairway playing Super Mario 64.
- Ye Olde Butchered English: Sheldon complains about its overuse at the Renaissance fair.Sheldon: My God, they can't expect to put "Ye Olde" in front of anything they want and get away with it.
