Sheldon trembles at the doorway of Biology 101...

"The Desperation Emanation"

There's a peculiar aptness to the interstitial zinger graphics of molecules in orbit around each other this week in The Big Bang Theory. Leonard proves a repulsive molecule, lowering his standards to the level of a lizard's spade-head just because he happens to be in that situation we've all been in at some time or other - none of his friends are mateless, but he is.

In fact his last mate is totally absent - no sign of Penny this week, due to Kaley Cuoco's broken leg.

Back to molecular relationship metaphors, and we find Sheldon and "She's not my girlfriend" Amy circling each other like a pair of protons that might explode if they get any closer. When Amy asks to meet Sheldon's mother (over a video call, naturally), our mad scientist goes into a full OCD-frenzy, unable any more to descend the stairwell without reciting a series of rhymes about the names and assigned scientific numbers of constellations - every time he gets it wrong, he has to go back up to the apartment and start the descent again.

Sheldon's efforts to erase himself from the internet and go 'off the grid' in order to escape the possibility of deepening his friendship with Amy are ill-conceived, since actually moving out of his apartment would probably cause a psychotic episode, and the apparently-enamored Amy already knows where he lives.

Despite Sheldon donning a classically ineffective disguise, the old Groucho Marx nose 'n specs gag, the encamped Amy finally corners her terrified buddy and explains that she only wants him to meet her mother in order to escape the constant nagging about not having a boyfriend.

But the undertones remain like residual radiation, and it no longer requires the presence of Sheldon's mocking clique to bring it out...

Over at a swish restaurant, Leonard has proved himself desperate enough to invoke the pact he has with Howard that if one of them gets a girlfriend, they must attempt to hook the other up with one of her friends.

The problem with this is that in friendship, as in relationships, opposites often attract, and the double-date with Howard and his demure GF proves a nightmare of toilet-humor and mismatching, as Howard's date proves lacking in the basic social graces, and totally indifferent to the fact.

Not that a near-promise of drunken sex is inadequate to secure her a second date at a wedding with Howard...

This was a great episode, with the twin strands strong both in character-advancement and great lines. Perhaps it is time for Howard to step back into the limelight a little. It's been good that Sheldon has come to the fore this season, but if there was any chemical imbalance brewing, this episode cured it.

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