Review of the relationships on The Big Bang Theory
After 12-year run, hit US sitcom The Big Bang Theory will be coming to an end in May, 2019. The 12th and final season will debut on Monday, September 24. At its conclusion, the show will have aired a record-breaking 279 episodes, making it the longest-running multi-camera series in TV history. The CBS hit geek comedy debuted in 2007, and has since notched 52 Emmy nominations and 10 wins. Over time, it not only has grown to be one of the most popular comedies on television, but also part of pop-culture.
All the seven leading characters have a lunch at Sheldon and Leonard's apartment in this still from The Big Bang Theory. [Photo: VCG]
Big Bang fans have witnessed various milestone moments for the four awkward scientific geniuses, including their relationships and weddings. Except for Raj, the other three scientists eventually find love: Leonard gets hitched with Penny, Howard and Bernadette get married and become parents and Sheldon and Amy take their marital vows. So let's review how these TV relationships developed.
Penny and Leonard
Leonard develops a crush on the attractive Penny as they become neighbors in the very first episode. Their long-term relationship begins when Leonard returns from a three-month expedition to the North Pole in season three.
The two decide to elope to Las Vegas in the season 8 finale, but beforehand, wanting no secrets, Leonard admits to kissing another woman while on an expedition on the North Sea. Despite this, Leonard and Penny finally get hitched in a little ceremony in a Las Vegas wedding chapel in the season 9 premiere.
Penny and Leonard exchange wedding vows in a Vegas chapel in this still from The Big Bang Theory. [Screenshot: China Plus]
As the minister asks Leonard and Penny if they had prepared vows, Penny is surprised that Leonard has. Wanting to hear his vows, she lets him say them while she'll come up with something "mushy."
Leonard's geeky and sentimental vows go with, "Penny, we are made of particles that have existed since the universe began. I like to think those atoms have travelled 14 billion years through time and space to create us so that we could be together and make each other whole."
Penny replies sweetly that he is the love of her life and her best friend, and she starts quoting the lyrics from Leonard's favorite film "Toy Story." "You've got a friend in me. You got troubles. I got them, too. There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you. We stick together, and we can see it through... cause you got a friend in me." These words turn Leonard misty-eyed.
Penny and Leonard have another wedding ceremony with their friends and families present in this still from The Big Bang Theory. [Screenshot: China Plus]
Wedding bells ring twice for Penny and Leonard. In the Season 10 premiere episode, Leonard and Penny have another wedding ceremony, this time with their friends and families present.
Bernadette and Howard
Howard and Bernadette start dating after they are introduced to each other via Penny. The two tie the knot in the 5th season finale, becoming the first main pairing to get married on The Big Bang Theory.
Bernadette tells Howard that she wants to be married to him before he departs for the International Space Station, so they head down to city hall to get a quickie marriage. But they are too late for that day and city hall won't reopen until after Howard leaves for space. So all of their friends get ordained as ministers online and perform the ceremony.
Bernadette and Howard have their first kiss as a married couple in this still from The Big Bang Theory. [Screenshot: China Plus]
The wedding of Howard and Bernadette takes place on the rooftop of the apartment building where Leonard, Sheldon and Penny live. Each of their friends gives them their own vows. Sheldon attempts to do his vows in Klingon but is stopped by Bernadette. Despite Bernadette yelling quite a bit during the ceremony, once the ceremony is complete, the two are happily married. And the ceremony is photographed by Google Earth.
Afterwards, Howard and Bernadette also become the first main couple to have children, raising a daughter, Halley, and a son, Neil.
Amy and Sheldon
Sheldon and Amy, The Big Bang Theory's most socially awkward couple, meet each other during a reluctant coffee-shop date in the 3rd season finale. Sheldon, a man-child whom many think isn't suited for a relationship, falls in love with Amy. Their big moment comes in the 11th season finale, when the two finally bring their loving and often slow relationship to wedded bliss.
Minutes before the "Shamy" wedding, bride Amy, best man Leonard and groom Sheldon get caught up in a scientific theory. Sheldon says, "we have our whole lives to do science together."
Amy and Sheldon exchange wedding rings in this still from The Big Bang Theory. [Screenshot: China Plus]
As they walk down the aisle, they start to exchange their wedding vows. Amy goes first: "When I was a little girl, I used to dream about my wedding, but eventually I stopped because I thought that day would never come. And then I met you. From the first moment in that coffee shop, I knew that there was something special between us." Amy adds, "I can't imagine loving you more than I do right now, but I felt that way yesterday and the day before yesterday and the day before that."
Then it's Sheldon's turn: "in this moment... I have no words. I guess I'm overwhelmed by you. In a good way... Not in the elevator in the Haunted Mansion way. Even if I can't tell you now how I feel... I will spend my life showing you how much I love you."
After their touching, heartfelt wedding vows, Sheldon and Amy are pronounced husband and wife.
Raj
Raj develops a peculiar relationship with his phone's virtual assistant in this still from The Big Bang Theory. [Photo: CBS/Monty Brinton]
As for Raj... He has never been involved in any lasting romantic relationship. Perhaps Season 12 will feature a "happy ending" for Raj.