"The Cooper/Kripke Inversion" is an episode of The Big Bang Theory that first aired on January 31, 2013. Directed by Mark Cendrowski. Teleplay by Steven Molaro, Jim Reynolds and Steve Holland, based on a story by Chuck Lorre, Eric Kaplan and Anthony Del Broccolo.
When Sheldon and Kripke are forced to work on a project together, Sheldon is dismayed to learn that Kripke's research has surpassed his own. Meanwhile, Raj and Howard buy a 3-D printer to make themselves action figures.
Tropes
- Bread, Eggs, Milk, Squick:Sheldon: Penny, all my life I have been uncomfortable with the sort of physical contact that comes easily to others - handshaking, hugging, prostate exams...
- Character Development: Sheldon reflects on how ever since he's met Amy, he's been trying to engage in more intimate contact, and admits that their relationship could become physical at some point.
- A Fool and His New Money Are Soon Parted: The primary trope concerning Howard's subplot. To save his marriage to Bernadette, Howard sells Raj his half of the 3-D printer to recoup his loss of $2,500.
- Full-Name Ultimatum:Leonard: Sheldon Lee Cooper, I do not have time for this nonsense! Now go put your clothes on, get in the car, and let's go to work!
Sheldon: All right, geez! What a grouch.
Leonard: How did I do that? I gotta remember how I did that. - Here We Go Again!: After Howard learns his lesson not to throw away his wife's money on 3-D printers, Raj asks why he's not eating lunch in the CalTech cafeteria. Howard claimed he blew all his lunch allowance on Pokemon cards.
- Ignored Aesop: Howard learns the harsh consequences of spending his wife's money without her consent by being taken off their joint account. And the same day he blows his lunch money on Pokemon cards.
- Manchild: Sheldon usually disrespects Leonard, but obeys him thoroughly when the latter invokes Full-Name Ultimatum and gives him orders in a similar sense to how his mother Mary would work to control Sheldon.
- Mundane Made Awesome: Howard and Raj's excitement upon finishing their first 3D-printed object: a whistle.
- Poor Communication Kills: One thing Howard muses about during his conversation with Raj about the 3D printer is the potential applications for work, which could be a sound reason for making such an investment. However, he only alludes to the trivial stuff he'd made like the dolls and whistle when revealing this to Bernadette; had he justified the printer as a work investment like with Raj, Bernadette might have been at least somewhat more receptive to his expenditure.
- Shockingly Expensive Bill: Bernadette is not pleased to hear that Howard and Raj bought a $5,000 3-D printer and divided up the cost amongst themselves. As a consequence, Howard is removed from their joint account and Raj agrees to cover the entire cost of the printer himself.
