"The Benefactor Factor" is an episode of The Big Bang Theory that first aired on February 10, 2011. Directed by Mark Cendrowski. Teleplay by Chuck Lorre, Eric Kaplan and Steve Holland, based on a story by Bill Prady, Lee Aronsohn and David Goetsch.
University President Siebert (Joshua Malina) sends Howard, Leonard, Raj and Sheldon to a fundraiser for the school. At the fundraiser, Leonard meets one of the university's leading donors, Mrs. Latham (Jessica Walter), and their relationship later takes an intimate turn.
Tropes
- Bring My Brown Pants: Raj excuses himself out of talking with Mrs. Latham because he needed to "tinkle."
- Hard on Soft Science: This is the first instance of Sheldon expressing disdain for geology,note as he reacts with horror when Amy suggests that donors' money might go to it instead of physics... or worse, the liberal arts.Sheldon: Oh, the Humanities!
- I Need a Freaking Drink:
- After Mrs. Latham denigrates Howard, both for his career (calling him a "space plumber") and for failing to get a PhD, he decides to go get smashed at the bar.
- When it's insinuated that Mrs. Latham will only donate to the physics department if Leonard sleeps with her, the first thing he does when he gets home is ask if they had any alcohol. They don't.
- Idiot Ball: Leonard continues to insist he didn't sleep with Mrs. Latham for the money, even though by saying that he just looks desperate, at least by playing along he looks like a hero. Luckily for him, no one believes him.
- It Amused Me: Mrs. Latham goes to fund raising events just to make smart people uncomfortable, because it's "one of those fun things you get to do when you have lots of money."Mrs. Latham: There's nothing I like better than making smart people feel ill at ease!
- Noodle Incident: Amy mentions that her lab is funded by a prince from Saudi Arabia, and part of the agreement somehow involved them becoming fiancés.
- Sexual Extortion:
- Subverted. Mrs. Latham makes it clear she's already decided to donate to the physics department and kissing Leonard was just her taking a shot. He ends up going through it anyway because she's apparently that good in bed and everyone ends up thinking it's the reason why they got the money anyway.
- It's not so subtly implied that president Siebert had to go through something similar in the past to get funding.
- Walk of Shame: Leonard is being accosted by an elderly, wealthy donor, and he manages to not fall for her temptations. Eventually, in a ride in her limo, Leonard decides to just go for it after she reveals there's no strings attached. The morning after:[Leonard's walking in the hallway back to his apartment with his hair messed up, and his outfit wrinkledPenny: Good morning, slut.Leonard: What?Penny: Oh, please, I recognize the walk of shame when I see it. All you're missing is a little smeared mascara and a purse with panties wadded up in it.
