The Big Bang Theory: Season 5
The Big Bang Theory Season 5 continues the overarching saga across 24 episodes. The American sitcom follows a nerd-centric social circle of young physicists, featuring roommates Leonard and Sheldon, along with their pals Howard and Raj, as their lives are placed in opposition to normal life and make fun of personal lives and nerd culture.
Season 5 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- The series focuses on young physicists living somewhat outside of normal life.
- Roommates and hyper-intelligent physicists Leonard and Sheldon live together.
- The main social circle includes physicists Leonard, Sheldon, Howard, and Raj.
- The beautiful neighbor Penny has moved into the apartment building near Leonard and Sheldon.
Season overview
The Big Bang Theory Season 5 continues the overarching saga across 24 episodes. The American sitcom follows a nerd-centric social circle of young physicists, featuring roommates Leonard and Sheldon, along with their pals Howard and Raj, as their lives are placed in opposition to normal life and make fun of personal lives and nerd culture.
Episode Guide
Season 5 Progress Shield
The Skank Reflex Analysis
Sep 22, 2011 · 21 min
Penny is worried with how damaged her friendship with the guys will be in the aftermath of her sleeping with Raj while Sheldon becomes the leader of the paintball team.
The Infestation Hypothesis
Sep 22, 2011 · 20 min
A fight between Sheldon and Penny leaves Amy caught in the middle, while Leonard tries to spice up his long-distance relationship with Priya.
The Pulled Groin Extrapolation
Sep 29, 2011 · 20 min
Leonard and Amy get to know each other better, while Howard and Bernadette spend the weekend with Mrs. Wolowitz.
The Wiggly Finger Catalyst
Oct 6, 2011 · 20 min
Penny plays Matchmaker for Raj, which results in him finding a girl he is comfortable talking to.
The Russian Rocket Reaction
Oct 13, 2011 · 21 min
Sheldon and Leonard get invited to a party at Wil Wheaton's house, and Howard gets an out-of-this-world opportunity.
The Rhinitis Revelation
Oct 20, 2011 · 21 min
Sheldon's mother, Mary Cooper, comes to visit, but Sheldon is annoyed that she also spends time with the rest of the gang, instead of catering to his every demand.
The Good Guy Fluctuation
Oct 27, 2011 · 20 min
A cute comic book artist puts Leonard and Priya’s relationship to the test, while Sheldon tries to scare the guys for Halloween.
The Isolation Permutation
Nov 3, 2011 · 21 min
Amy becomes heartbroken when she discovers that Penny and Bernadette went wedding dress shopping without her.
The Ornithophobia Diffusion
Nov 10, 2011 · 21 min
Leonard and Penny try hanging out as friends on a 'non-date', but end up purposely ruining each others chances with perspective dates. Meanwhile, Sheldon enlists the help of Bernad
The Flaming Spittoon Acquisition
Nov 17, 2011 · 21 min
When Stuart asks Amy out on a date, Sheldon must confront his feelings and consider where his relationship with Amy is going.
The Speckerman Recurrence
Dec 8, 2011 · 20 min
Leonard must face his fears after being contacted by his high school tormentor.
The Shiny Trinket Maneuver
Jan 12, 2012 · 21 min
Sheldon gets in trouble with Amy when he isn't impressed by her recent accomplishment, and Howard must come to grips with Bernadette's dislike of children.
The Recombination Hypothesis
Jan 19, 2012 · 21 min
Leonard, who broke up with Priya, asks Penny out to a spur-of the-moment romantic dinner for two, and the duo contemplates on their relationship.
The Beta Test Initiation
Jan 26, 2012 · 20 min
Leonard and Penny deal with the idea of starting a relationship again and Raj finally finds a "woman" he can talk to without being drunk, in the form of Siri on his new phone. Mean
The Friendship Contraction
Feb 2, 2012 · 20 min
Sheldon's selfish demands force Leonard to reconsider their friendship. Meanwhile, Wolowitz tries to pick his astronaut nickname.
The Vacation Solution
Feb 9, 2012 · 21 min
When Sheldon is forced to take his vacation, he goes to work with Amy in her neurobiology lab.
The Rothman Disintegration
Feb 16, 2012 · 21 min
Sheldon battles Kripke for a coveted office at the university. Penny receives a very unusual gift from Amy.
The Werewolf Transformation
Feb 23, 2012 · 21 min
Sheldon becomes agitated when his regular barber is out sick. Astronaut training causes Howard to reconsider wanting to go into space. Penny beats Leonard in chess, the first time
The Weekend Vortex
Mar 8, 2012 · 20 min
Sheldon must choose between joining Amy at her aunt's birthday party or playing videogames all weekend with the guys.
The Transporter Malfunction
Mar 29, 2012 · 21 min
Penny buys Leonard and Sheldon “Star Trek” collectibles as a thank-you, leading Sheldon to be haunted by Mr. Spock. Meanwhile, Raj decides he has met the “Future Mrs. Koothrappali”
The Hawking Excitation
Apr 5, 2012 · 19 min
When Wolowitz gets to work with Stephen Hawking, Sheldon is willing to do anything to meet his hero.
The Stag Convergence
Apr 26, 2012 · 21 min
After the guys throw Howard a bachelor party, Bernadette reconsiders marrying him after learning about his sexual history.
The Launch Acceleration
May 3, 2012 · 21 min
When NASA moves up Howard's mission, he must face his fears and Bernadette's dad, thus putting the wedding plans in jeopardy. Meanwhile, Leonard says something surprising to Penny
The Countdown Reflection
May 10, 2012 · 20 min
The fifth season ends with Howard and Bernadette deciding to get married before his NASA mission, causing the gang to scurry into overdrive in an effort to stage the wedding. NASA