"The Higgs Boson Observation" is an episode of The Big Bang Theory that first aired on October 11, 2012. Directed by Mark Cendrowski. Teleplay by Chuck Lorre, Jim Reynolds and Maria Ferrari, based on a story by Steven Molaro, David Goetsch and Steve Holland.
Sheldon hires Alex Jensen (Margo Harshman), a graduate student, as an assistant. This development at first worries Amy until it appears that Alex is more interested in Leonard, making her Penny's concern. Also, Howard is having trouble with his crew mates and anxieties on the International Space Station.
Tropes
- Always Someone Better: The mere suggestion that another young woman is presenting competition by showing interest in Leonard is enough to blow away the whole misty fog of indecision bordering on indifference Penny has been floating in all through the precious episode and snap her back into the reality that she could easily lose him. The fact that Alex is much better suited to Leonard intellectually doesn't help
- The Cuckoolander Was Right: Although Alex's attentions to Leonard are by no means obvious at this point, Amy warns Penny in clinical neurological terms that she is in danger of losing Leonard and that she needs to stop taking Leonard for granted. In later episodes it turns out she was right
- Space Madness: Howard misses gravity so much he starts asking Bernadette and Raj to drop things during their video chats, and suspects his crew mates are planning to leave him behind in space.
