"The Status Quo Combustion" is an episode of The Big Bang Theory that first aired on May 15, 2014, concluding the show's seventh season. Directed by Mark Cendrowski. Teleplay by Steven Molaro, Steve Holland and Tara Hernandez, based on a story by Eric Kaplan, Jim Reynolds and Jeremy Howe.
At Apartment 4A, Bernadette and Howard explain how they have trouble hiring and keeping a nurse for Mrs. Wolowitz (Carol Ann Susi). Raj announces he had sex with Emily (Laura Spencer), this steals the thunder from Leonard and Penny's betrothal announcement.
Nor is Beverly (Christine Baranski), Leonard's own mother, all that excited about her son's upcoming marriage (she learned about it from Sheldon before Leonard could tell her — not that she would be any more enthusiastic if she had heard from it from her son first).
The next day at the university, Sheldon asks to change his field of study from string theory to inflationary cosmology. But since Sheldon's grant money is all for string theory, his request is denied. Although he wants to make that one change, he wishes everything else in his life would stay the same.
Leonard considers moving in with Penny at Apartment 4B, which upsets Sheldon. Amy suggests herself as a replacement for Sheldon's roommate, but Sheldon rejects that idea.
Sheldon seeks solace at the comic book store. Unfortunately, the place burned down. The night before, Stuart (Kevin Sussman), the pathetic owner, had a problem with a hot plate and now everyone thinks he did it for the insurance money. Of course Sheldon only cares about his own problems, and haggles with Stuart over the price of a wet comic book.
Learning of Stuart's situation, Howard offers the poor guy a job as Mrs. Wolowitz's nurse. The worst that could happen is that Stuarts lasts only a little bit longer than Penny. But to Bernadette and Howard's surprise, Stuart and Mrs. Wolowitz hit it off. Stuart urges Bernadette and Howard to go home.
Tropes
- Chasing a Butterfly: When Sheldon goes missing, Leonard tracks down his phone, a precaution he took ever since Sheldon wandered off chasing after a balloon at the swap meet.
- First-Name Basis: Howard is surprised that Stuart and Mrs. Wolowitz are on a first name basis: she calls him "Stewie," he calls her "Debbie."
- Insurance Fraud: Invoked. When the comic book shop burns down, everyone assumes that Stuart did it for the insurance money, including the insurance company, the person's mother and Howard.
- It's All About Me: Sheldon doesn't take kindly to the idea of Leonard moving in with Penny.Sheldon: You're putting your future bride's happiness above mine!
- Journey to Find Oneself: After all the changes in his life, Sheldon decides to ride the rails for a while to clear his head.
- Shout-Out:
- To Star Wars: Talking to Leonard, Penny alludes to the Jedi teacher/student relationship, but she gets it wrong and Sheldon, overhearing, points out her mistake.Penny: Leonard, we can't protect him [Sheldon] forever.Leonard: I know, but...Penny: He'll be okay. You taught him well, padawan.Sheldon: Good Lord. Padawan's the student, not the teacher.
- To Wheel of Fortune: Stuart and Mrs. Wolowitz watch the game show together.
- To Star Wars: Talking to Leonard, Penny alludes to the Jedi teacher/student relationship, but she gets it wrong and Sheldon, overhearing, points out her mistake.
- Wham Episode: Overwhelmed by too many changes, Sheldon leaves on a train trip to sort himself out; the comic book store burns down and Stuart moves in with Howard to take care of Mrs. Wolowitz.
