"The Bon Voyage Reaction" is an episode of The Big Bang Theory that first aired on May 16, 2013. Directed by Mark Cendrowski. Teleplay by Chuck Lorre, Jim Reynolds and Maria Ferrari, based on a story by Steven Molaro, Steve Holland and Tara Hernandez.
Penny is thrown for a loop when Leonard is offered a spot on a scientific expedition to the North Sea that will last several weeks, but the news is an even bigger shock to Sheldon, who tries to dissuade Leonard from going. It doesn't work. Leonard buys an airplane ticket and asks Penny to check in on Sheldon from time to time.
Meanwhile, Raj wants more Lucy (Kate Micucci) to meet all his friends but decides it would be less overwhelming to meet them one at a time. So Amy has dinner with Lucy and Raj at Raj's apartment, but it quickly gets to be too much for Lucy.
Making matters worse, Raj asks Lucy whether the two of them are boyfriend and girlfriend. Rather than answer one way or the other, Lucy escapes.
Tropes
- Continuity Nod: When Lucy goes to the bathroom, Raj tells Amy they might as well eat, because Lucy won't be coming back any time soon. Raj knows this from the times Lucy's done this before, at least two of which are shown in prior episodes.
- Credits Gag: During The Stinger, Raj — now able to talk to women completely sober — talks incessantly to the girls while hanging out with them (much to their annoyance). Raj continues talking as the credits start to roll and is only cut off by the Warner Brothers logo at the tail of the episode.
- "Dear John" Letter: How Lucy breaks up with Raj — she sends it by email.
- Does This Remind You of Anything?: When dropping Leonard off at the airport, Penny fusses over him like a wife sending there husband away for a trip. It just goes to show how much love she has for him.
- Green-Eyed Monster: Sheldon is jealous that Leonard is getting a chance to work with Stephen Hawking for an expedition. But then it turns out Hawking will not be on the boat Leonard is boarding.
- Stealth Insult: Raj tells Penny she's too pretty to meet Lucy right after he asked Bernadette to meet her
- Wham Episode: Raj finally overcomes his selective mutism.
- Wham Line: "No, it's not. I haven't had a drink since last night."
