10 Worst Big Bang Theory Episodes, Ranked

As a longtime fan of The Big Bang Theory, I must say that both episodes you’ve highlighted showcase the series’ knack for delving into the complexities and nuances of human relationships, albeit with varying degrees of success.


The Big Bang Theory” is a well-known CBS comedy series that offers endless laughter and touching scenes. This show revolves around two best friends, Leonard and Sheldon, who are scientists, giving representation to the often underrepresented nerd and geek characters in sitcoms. The plot explores their struggles with social interaction, eventually unfolding into their romantic endeavors.

As a devoted fan, I can attest that the spinoffs of “The Big Bang Theory,” particularly “Young Sheldon” and the upcoming “Georgie and Mandy’s First Marriage,” have broadened its cinematic universe in an exciting way. The show has garnered significant commercial success and positive reviews, but it’s no secret that at times, it missed the mark, leaving fans feeling that the series overstayed its welcome. Whether you’re a first-time viewer or a seasoned fan watching for the tenth time, these ten episodes may not be worth your valuable viewing minutes.

10 “The Tam Turbulence”

Season 12, Episode 4

In this episode, events revolve around the disclosure of Sheldon’s childhood friend Tam. When Leonard realizes he hadn’t heard about him before, he secretly embarks on a quest to locate her. Simultaneously, Raj’s partner Anu joins Bernadette and Penny for dinner, with the aim of uncovering more details about their friendship and her relationship with them.

A Failed Retcon

As a devoted viewer, I must admit that this latest installment left me feeling rather puzzled. It seemed as though the creators were juggling multiple ideas without a clear direction, resulting in an uneven flow. On one hand, the introduction of Anu felt underwhelming and lacked the depth I’ve come to expect from new characters. Pairing Raj with a character who appeared emotionless and uninteresting left me scratching my head.

9 “The Relaxation Integration”

Season 11, Episode 3

In this episode, Sheldon and Amy grapple with the challenge of deciding on a wedding date, finding it difficult to agree. Meanwhile, both Stuart and Raj express interest in a colleague of Bernadette’s, resulting in friendly competition as they try to win her affections by asking her out.

A Shell of a Show

In the initial stages of Season 11, Episode 3 seemed to highlight a decline in quality. Characters started slipping into self-reinforcing stereotypes, growing increasingly cynical and less appealing. An instance of this was when Stuart and Raj displayed such rudeness towards each other that they both lost interest in the girl, leaving viewers with an unpleasant feeling. Additionally, Sheldon’s fixation on his upcoming wedding, to the point of excessive preoccupation with dates, created an impression that these characters had lost their chemistry, merely existing to appease the studio rather than interacting authentically.

8 “The Communication Deterioration”

Season 8, Episode 21

In this particular episode, Penny ponders whether to rekindle her acting career, an aspiration that initially lured her to California. Meanwhile, the group discusses a message that Raj is assigned to craft for NASA, aiming to transmit it into outer space, potentially reaching extraterrestrial life forms.

A Decline in Writing

Viewers of the series have noticed a drop in the writing’s quality as the episodes progressed, leading to less laughter than before. This decline seems to have affected the acting too, with some performances appearing half-hearted or lackluster. Characters like Sheldon and Howard seem to regress into childish behavior, while Bernadette and Penny appear insincere. These changes suggest that the show might be losing its way. If you’re a viewer, it could be beneficial to skip a few episodes, especially those similar to this one, if your goal is to enjoy the series at its best.

7 “The Champagne Reflection”

Season 8, Episode 10

In this eighth season episode, Sheldon chooses to discontinue their YouTube show titled “Fun With Flags,” which he co-hosts with Amy. At a gathering, Bernadette learns about her colleagues’ genuine feelings towards her. Meanwhile, Leonard, Howard, and Raj delve into the research of a deceased professor in search of something noteworthy.

The Fall of a Character

As a devoted fan of The Big Bang Theory, I found myself cringing during this particular episode. Instead of softening her edges, they chose to emphasize Bernadette’s more unpleasant traits, even having her coworkers call her out on it. Surprisingly, she seemed to dig in deeper, even annoying her friend Penny, which was quite unexpected.

6 “The First Pitch Insufficiency”

Season 8, Episode 3

Following NASA’s invitation for him to open a Major League Baseball game, Howard starts feeling unusually anxious, fearing potential embarrassment in front of the spectators. His colleagues join in, as Sheldon boasts about his and Amy’s relationship being superior, prompting Leonard and Penny to attempt to disprove his claim.

Poking Too Much Fun

In this installment, Howard is repeatedly made the butt of jokes, stretching beyond good-natured teasing into outright meanness from Raj. The humor derived from a supposed “nerd” participating in sports feels harsh in this particular episode. Viewers who prefer their beloved characters not to endure excessive suffering might choose to give this one a pass.

5 “The Romance Recalibration”

Season 10, Episode 13

In this episode, Howard and Raj go to great lengths to quiet a squeaky floor in their bedroom, whereas Leonard and Penny involve Sheldon and Amy to inject some spark into their marriage. As she feels that Leonard is not putting as much effort as he once did, Penny yearns for more dedication from him.

Out Of His League

In the series, it’s evident that Penny seems unattainable for Leonard, and the show reinforces this idea. Throughout the storyline, Leonard goes to great lengths to win Penny’s favor, even sacrificing his prized action figures, constantly adapting, and typically being the one to apologize first. However, they manage to make Penny feel that Leonard isn’t trying hard enough. This dynamic leaves the audience uncomfortable because Penny is unhappy with a great partner, while Leonard feels hurt by her treatment. The reason this episode can be skipped is that it undermines the characters and strays from the beloved aspects of their personalities.

4 “The Planetarium Collision”

Season 12, Episode 5

In this episode, Raj takes charge of a starry night event at a planetarium, with Howard as his co-host. Yet, Raj secretly wishes to perform alone, causing tension between the two friends. Meanwhile, Sheldon grows frustrated that Amy seems too busy for super asymmetry discussions, so he decides to manage her schedule instead.

Time To Lay It To Rest

In the start of its last season, viewers pointed out that things remained unchanged, with the series adhering rigidly to familiar patterns, thereby deepening the characters’ stereotypes. The charm initially associated with these characters has faded, leaving behind cold and harsh protagonists. What makes this particular episode exceptional is that it doesn’t follow suit. The humor falls flat, and the storylines offer no fresh insights for the show. To top it off, there’s a scene where Sheldon explains mansplaining, making it an easy choice to skip this episode.

3 “The Athenaeum Allocation”

Season 11, Episode 17

Bernadette and Howard grapple with figuring out who will go back to work and who will take care of the children at home, while Sheldon and Amy search in vain for a suitable venue for their wedding. However, Leonard steps up to the challenge and diligently looks for the ideal location for their special day.

Dragging On

This episode, filled with repetitive jokes that seem computer-generated and storylines reminiscent of 1960s sitcoms, certainly deserves its place on this list. The relationship between Bernadette and Howard seems to lack freshness, offering little that’s new. At times, Bernadette behaves irrationally, to the point of disbelief, making one wonder if the show should have concluded earlier. A touching scene involving their children is included, but strangely, the babies themselves are never seen, a sign of the series’ declining quality. The absence of location changes, notable guest stars, and even something as simple as the babies, it’s just not the same high-quality entertainment we once enjoyed.

2 “The Cognition Regeneration”

Season 10, Episode 22

When Penny gets a job proposition from her former boyfriend, Leonard feels envious and annoyed because she’s contemplating it. Meanwhile, Sheldon frets about his own stability and questions whether he hasn’t yet realized his full potential, something he believed should have been achieved already.

The Ex-Boyfriend Trope

In this installment, the show delicately tackles a weighty issue by showing Leonard and Penny attempting to empathize with each other’s viewpoints on the matter at hand. Continuing to zero in on the relationship between Leonard and Penny, the series introduces more doubts into their bond, reintroducing her former beau. The unease among the three characters makes for uncomfortable viewing, and Sheldon’s struggle with accepting his present circumstances doesn’t make things any easier. A scene featuring Sheldon stumbling over Hindi phrases doesn’t do much to convince viewers that this episode should be on their must-watch list.

1 “The Matrimonial Momentum”

Season 9, Episode 1

In the lead-up to their Las Vegas wedding, Leonard confides in Penny that he kissed another woman, causing tension between them. Meanwhile, another couple grapples with similar issues, as Amy takes a break from her relationship with Sheldon.

Relationship Issues

For quite some time, I, along with many others, had eagerly anticipated the moment when Leonard and Penny would finally get married, which was set to happen at the beginning of Season 9. However, the showrunners managed to make this significant event incredibly disheartening. With Leonard and Sheldon’s friendship in a state of strain, it opened up a scenario where the usual relationship tropes were extended even more, leading to constant friction between the men and women. The initial charm of the characters was their chemistry, and watching them bicker continuously is far from enjoyable, especially when it overshadows the precious few good moments left in the series.

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2024-10-13 02:35