"The Matrimonial Momentum" is an episode of The Big Bang Theory that first aired on September 21, 2015, beginning the show's ninth season. Directed by Mark Cendrowski. Teleplay by Steven Molaro, Steve Holland and Eric Kaplan, based on a story Chuck Lorre, Jim Reynolds and Maria Ferrari.
Leonard and Penny head to Vegas to get married. Sheldon deals with Amy asking for space. The gang watches Leonard and Penny's wedding on line.
Guest starring Kevin Sussman as Stuart, Laurie Metcalf as Mary, Jim Meskimen as a minister and Louise Claps as a receptionist.
Tropes Appearing in this Episode
- Abhorrent Admirer: Stuart takes an interest in both Amy and Penny when he discovers their relationship troubles. It's creepy.
- Alone Among the Couples: Subverted. Usually Stuart plays this role, but when the gang gathers, only Howard and Bernadette are technically together.
- Downer Ending: Penny gets angry with Leonard when he brings up the fact that he kissed another woman during his expedition to the North Sea, and angrily refuses to spend their wedding night with him. When Sheldon, who was recently dumped by Amy, goes to comfort Penny in her apartment carrying a tray of beverages, he tries to start a conversation over how they are in the right while Leonard and Amy where in the wrong, only for Penny to tell Sheldon she agrees with Amy that he acted like a bad boyfriend, which causes Sheldon to take his tray of hot beverages with him across the hall. The Stinger before the credits roll, shows the living room of guys' apartment, where Sheldon's bitterly listing off a series of complaints against women, while Leonard just sits there listening while on the verge of tears.
- Missing the Good Stuff: Due to the commotion caused by Amy breaking up with Sheldon, no one is watching when Leonard and Penny give their I-dos.
- My Own Private "I Do": In a continuation of Season Eight's season-ending cliffhanger. Leonard writes his own vows for Penny, but she's got nothing prepared.
- Previously on…: The episode opens with a recap of last season's finale.
- Rage Breaking Point: While Leonard and Penny's wedding is being live-streamed from Las Vegas, Sheldon keeps pestering Amy to decide whether they want to break up or not, and Amy responds that it is not the time or place to make such a snap decision on such an important matter. Sheldon further pressures her by telling her that she needs to make decision soon because she's getting to old to have children, which cause Amy to finally snap and angrily yells at Sheldon that he's the most self centered and immature man she's ever known, and dumps him right there and then.
- "The Reason You Suck" Speech: Amy delivers one to Sheldon after he's been bugging her about getting back together and finally saying her biological clock is ticking and she breaks up with him.
- Saying Sound Effects Out Loud: With both hands full taking a tray of hot beverages to Penny's, Sheldon resorts to sounding out his distinct door knock.Sheldon: Knock-knock-knock Penny. Knock-knock-knock Penny. Knock-knock-knock Penny.
- Screw This, I'm Outta Here: Played for Drama. During the live stream of Leonard and Penny's wedding, after dumping Sheldon, Amy storms off into Howard and Bernadette's kitchen to get away from Sheldon and Bernadette follows her. Meanwhile, Sheldon asks somebody to take him home, which prompts Raj to offer him a ride.
- Status Quo Is God: After Leonard and Penny fight at their wedding, Leonard is still living with Sheldon, and Penny is sleeping at her own apartment, a point that was not previously resolved.
- Waxing Lyrical: With no prepared vows, Penny ends up reciting the lyrics to "You've Got a Friend In Me" from Toy Story. Leonard is moved nevertheless.
- Window Watcher: Sheldon while the others watch Leonard and Penny's wedding at Howard's.
- Word of Dante: In-universe, regarding The Bible:Mary: Don't send it back yet. Your sister's married, and I'm not letting your brother give my grandmother's ring to that whore he's dating.
Sheldon: Wasn't Mary Magdalene a woman of ill repute?
Mary: When your idiot brother redeems mankind, he can date whoever he wants.- The joke relies on the popular beliefs that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute and had a sexual relationship with Jesus. Neither of these things are actually supported by the Bible.
