The Big Bang Theory: The Nerdvana Annihilation

The Big Bang Theory: The Nerdvana Annihilation
CBS
April 28, 2008
Sitcom
DVD
B

Bill Prady wrote the story, Engel & Molaro the teleplay, where Leonard bids on the time machine from the movie The Time Machine, thinking it's a miniature, when in fact it's a beautiful full-size model.  He can't even afford the $800, but his friends chip in so they can all share.  It's unclear how they would shuffle it back and forth between their homes, when it's hard for them to even get it up the stairs.  They're blocking the stairs when Penny is running late for work.  She has a series of mishaps when trying to go to work using the neighboring building and she in fact misses a day's pay.  She's so angry that, although usually sweet-natured, she yells at the guys, which is understandable.  However, she also calls them immature, which hits Leonard hard.  He's ready to give up his fandom merchandise, even after Penny apologizes.  Penny kisses his cheek and he wants to ask her out, but then her date shows up.

Watching this, I kept wishing that Leonard would go after a girl who would think the time machine was cool.  I understand that his pining for Penny is part of the set-up, and they would later date and marry, but it did bother me that he was willing to give up things that are important to him for a girl who thinks of him as a friend.  That said, his conflict is well done (Galecki can still act, even if he's never given anything as meaty as he got in the glory days of Roseanne), and the time machine and the gleeful geeking out over it are adorkable.