"The Comic Book Store Regeneration" is the 15th episode of the 8th season of The Big Bang Theory, it first aired on February 19, 2015. Directed by Mark Cendrowski. Teleplay by Steven Molaro, Eric Kaplan and Steve Holland, based on a story by Jim Reynolds, Maria Ferrari and Jeremy Howe.
Sheldon is angry that Amy helped Barry Kripke (John Ross Bowie) with an idea for string theory, and Howard is angry that Stuart (Kevin Sussman) moved some of Mrs. Wolowitz's furniture into the comic book store, which Stuart couldn't have reopened without help from Mrs. Wolowitz.
Penny tries to teach Sheldon how to let go of things, but instead Sheldon reveals that Amy has been conducting experiments on Penny exactly like the experiments she runs on chimpanzees. This predictably makes Penny mad at Amy.
Likewise, Bernadette tries without success to have Howard let go of his anger towards Stuart. But then Howard gets the sad news that his mother has died, and all the petty grievances seem to disappear.
The episode ends with a toast to Mrs. Wolowitz (Sheldon drinks milk, the others red wine).
Tropes
- As Himself: Nathan Fillion, although he pretends to be someone else who looks a lot like Nathan Fillion, to throw off Leonard and Raj.
- Berserk Button: Penny goes absolutely berserk when she realized that Amy and Sheldon think she could be dumber than a chimp.
- Bittersweet Ending: Wolowitz’s mother passes away but her death made everyone stop fighting with each other, and they fondly remember her like a loving person, a mother to them all.
- Character Death: Mrs. Wolowitz. Howard's mother passes away from poor health.
- Flipping the Bird: Penny has one for Amy, and it's "inside this puzzle box", much like the puzzle box Amy had used to experiment on Penny.
- Hypocritical Humor: Penny has been teaching Sheldon how to let go of anger, but she clearly isn't taking her own advice when she finds out Amy had been testing her against chimpanzees, as Sheldon helpfully points out.
- Lightbulb Joke: Sheldon tells one to Amy.Sheldon: How many Edisons does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
Amy: How many?
Sheldon: None, because he stole the idea for the lightbulb and doesn't deserve his own joke.note - Passed in Their Sleep: Mrs. Wolowitz was visiting Howard's Aunt Gladys and the former fell asleep and never woke up.
- Pet the Dog: Sheldon usually takes every opportunity to belittle Howard, but when it's revealed that Mrs. Wolowitz died, he actually has some touching words of encouragement for him.Sheldon: When I lost my own father, I didn't have any friends to help me through it but you do.
- Wham Episode: Howard's mother passes away.
- Wham Line:Howard: My mom died.
- When Life Gives You Lemons...: Invoked.Sheldon: That's all you have, tired expressions like "Don't sweat it" and "Let it go"? Gee, Penny, I have a bunch of lemons, what shall I do with them?
Penny: You could shove them up somewhere.
Sheldon: See? Now you're being creative.
