The Big Bang Theory 5x12: The Shiny Trinket Maneuver

Original Air Date: 12 January 2012

Storyline: Penny must help Sheldon work on his relationship with Amy when he trivializes one of her accomplishments. Bernadette makes a revelations which makes Howard reconsider their future together.Best Quote:

Sheldon: I don't think there's anything in this jewelry store that Amy would appreciate more than the humidifier that we were just looking at at Sears.
Penny: Oh, my God, now I know what I sound like to you when I say stupid stuff.
The Relationship Agreement Clause: Our relationship agreement specifies that the second Thursday of every month, or the third Thursday in a month with five Thursdays, is date night.

Review: Does anyone still think Howard and Bernadette are really going to get married after the events in this episode? I've never been able to picture Howie engaged, let alone married, and it's not even about the differences between him and his short sweetheart. It's the thought that he believes there are still plenty of fish in the ocean that makes me a skeptic. 

This week's episode was all about relationships. Not only about the one between Howard and Bernadette, but also the slightly more entertaining gone between Sheldon and Amy. I'm still baffled every time I hear the words "boyfriend" and "girlfriend" come out of his mouth though.
With Bernie not liking - or wanting any children ("Right, when it's our kid that's ruined my body and kept me up all night, and I've got no career and no future and nothing to be happy about for the next 20 years, sure, that'll be completely different.") and Sheldon realizing he might not be boyfriend material, Penny and Leonard took on the roles of teachers and imparted some of their experience with their friends, who were desperately in need of advice. I was missing the Sheldon/Penny scenes, despite my constant bitching about them in the first seasons, and I was reminded of the great chemistry they have and how hilarious their exchanges can be. As for Leonard, he managed to surprise his roommate with not only a great relationship advice (despite his many failures in the romantic department), but also one that suited Sheldon's personality as it didn't involve any emotional implication.
Returning to Howard and Bernadette, her dislike for children, which horrified her fiance, raised in a very Jewish environment, was perfectly put into context. The magic act was especially hilarious, with Bernie throwing daggers out of her eyes every time that kid complained about the milk pitcher. And despite my undying hate for Howard's magic use, the condom pulled out of the ear one made my day.
The only complaint I have (still) is not using Raj enough. This has been a constant, unfortunately, and I don't blame this on bringing in Bernadette and Amy; Chuck Lorre just doesn't seem to like him very much.
Some of the highlights: Amy's reaction to receiving Sheldon's gift got me laughing out loud. Buying the pocket watch was such a Sheldon thing to do that I was half expecting him to say something like "I look like a train conductor." The Jenga Donkey Kong game (which is a real game!) for Raj's Mario reference. And let's not forget about Sheldon's walking to clear his head and going into the saloon for a whiskey.