"The Wiggly Finger Catalyst" is an episode of The Big Bang Theory that first aired on October 6, 2011. Directed by Mark Cendrowski. Teleplay by Bill Prady, Steven Molaro and Steve Holland, based on a story by Chuck Lorre, David Goetsch and Anthony Del Broccolo.
Raj is once again whining that he's the only one of the four guys not in a relationship, so Penny sets him up with Emily (Katie Leclerc), a deaf woman. Raj is actually able to talk to Emily sober, and Howard interprets in sign language. Of course Raj is demanding and ungrateful, even calling Howard a "sign monkey."
In turn, Howard is imprecise in his translations, so Raj has to learn sign language. But that's the least of his problems. It turns out Emily only likes Raj because he's actually "vastly wealthy" and he buys her expensive gifts. Raj is actually okay with the arrangement, but his friends are not.
Penny informs Raj's parents (Alice Amter and Brian George), who contact Raj and issue an ultimatum: dump Emily or be cut off from the family fortune. Raj chooses love, but it doesn't take Emily long to dump Raj.
Meanwhile, Sheldon tries living according to random chance, rolling dice to make all sorts of decisions.
Tropes
- Gold Digger: Emily turns out to like rich boys who buy stuff for her. Raj, desperate for a girlfriend, doesn't mind.
- Take That!: Raj is too depressed to play Dungeons & Dragons.Raj: I don't know if I want to play anymore.Sheldon: Because you don't have a girlfriend? Good lord, if that becomes a reason to not play Dungeons & Dragons, this game's in serious trouble.
- Undisclosed Funds: How Sheldon describes Raj's family wealth.Sheldon: The Koothrappalis aren't just rich, they're Richie Rich rich.
Penny: So how much is that?
Sheldon: About halfway between Bruce Wayne and Scrooge McDuck.
