"The Beta Test Initiation" is an episode of The Big Bang Theory that first aired on January 26, 2012. Teleplay by Bill Prady, David Goetsch and Maria Ferrari, based on a story by Chuck Lorre, Steven Molaro and Eric Kaplan.
Leonard and Penny deal with the possibility of reconciliation and Raj finally finds a "woman" that he can talk to without being drunk; the Siri (Becky O Donohue) in his new iPhone. Meanwhile, Amy helps Sheldon start a new YouTube series called "Sheldon Cooper presents Fun with Flags".
Tropes
- Agony of the Feet: At the shooting range, Leonard accidentally shoots himself in the foot.Leonard: So, I've got a gunshot wound. That's pretty badass.
Penny: No, you've got a Reebok with a gunshot wound and an ouchie on your pinky toe. - Artistic License – Gun Safety: At the gun range, a character can be seen in the background not wearing any hearing or eye protection. A gun range would require all people in the area to wear protection due to risk of hearing loss.
- Big "NO!": Raj when he wakes up from his nightmare where he meets Siri in person and can't speak to her.
- Guns Do Not Work That Way: At the range, Penny clears the gun and puts a loaded magazine in it without racking the slide. Since there was no round in the chamber and the safety was on, Leonard should not have been able to shoot himself.
- Additionally, a character can be seen shooting a semiautomatic pistol, but no brass is ejected from the gun after he shoots.
- Just a Machine: Raj starts thinking of Siri as a real woman, and gets defensive when Kripke insults her.
- Kid-Appeal Character: Parodied when Amy creates "Ferdinante Flag" to appeal to younger viewers. Sheldon thinks it's brilliant.
- Never My Fault: Barry Kripke thinks the voice recognition technology for Siri is defective, having no idea (or being in denial of) that it's because of his rhotacism.
- Power is Sexy: Penny is turned on by Leonard decisiveness at the gun range and kisses him.
- Relationship Upgrade: Leonard and Penny start dating again.
- Robo Romance: Raj falls in love with Siri, the virtual assistant on his new iPhone.
- Running Gag: Sheldon new flag show is set up and ends up becoming a recurring feature in future episodes.
- Stealth Insult: Penny’s bug report to Leonard is essentially this.
- Trial-Period Dating: Leonard and Penny attempt a relationship "Beta Test". They had previously dated in the third season but struggled to communicate because of their very different personalities, as Penny usually dated idiots and Leonard tended to date other academics. Leonard proposed open communication instead of just hanging out, while also giving each other more time to modify unattractive behaviors.
- Virtual Assistant Blunder: Barry disparrages the voice recognition on the new iPhone, not realizing it is because of his Elmuh Fudd Syndwome.Barry Kripke: You got Siwi, huh? Voice wecognition on that thing is tewwible. Wook. Siwi, can you wecomend a westauwant?
Siri: I'm sorry, Bawwy. I don't understand "wecomend a westauwant."
Barry Kripke: Wisten to me. Not "westauwant," westauwant!
Siri: I don't know what you mean by "not westauwant, westauwant."
Barry Kripke: See? Total cwap. You suck, Siwi. - White Flag: Amy produces one during "Fun with Flags" ("I'm surrendering... to fun!") Then she draws a face on it to make it into a mascot for the podcast.
