The Big Bang Theory - Episode 8.06 - The Expedition Approximation - Recap & Review

Teaser/Beginning Scene:

Bernadette asks how Sheldon is doing with dark matter and he reveals that it is going well now that he gets to work on his favorite field of study. Raj thinks that he and Sheldon should go down the mine to do experiments but Penny doesn't think he should go down with Raj after he got mad over nothing during a car wash. This causes nearly everyone to laugh (Amy almost laughed) at Raj and Sheldon after the others imagining them going down the mine. For once, Sheldon isn't laughing while the majority are.

Penny & Leonard/Howard & Bernadette plot:

Penny and Leonard have dinner together. She reveals that because she had a car for work, she decided to sell the car that he bought her and give him the proceeds back. However, this causes them to go back and forth on who should get the money. After them bickering over it, he reluctantly keeps the money until she asks for the salt. Then, he not only brings the salt to her like she requested but also the money, which irritates her. He knows how to trick her.

The next day, Leonard comes to Penny's apartment to try and fix the money problem. The solution is to put it in a joint savings account since they are going to be getting married soon and Penny agrees to this. She feels that her finally having a career means that she won't be riding on the coattails of him when it comes to finances. They agree to not fight over finances and that money is available to both of them.


Later on, they come over to see Bernadette and Howard to ask for advice on how to handle money when it comes to marriage. They tell them that sometimes that fight about money in the marriage. Now they are discussing it, she is not impressed that he purchases more items (especially when he forgot to tell her that he purchased an item on eBay) than she makes money, which leads them to them fighting including the time that she had to pay late fees on credit card bills. Then, they can continue to fight over a chore chart she made. She causes him storm into the bedroom when she mentions about "allowance". Penny thinks it's a good thing they came to see them because it's a lesson of what not to do. He hopes that money does not come between this. She wants to figure it out before they get married. Then, they overhear them arguing once again.

The plot ends with Leonard and Penny putting money on her bed so they can sleep on it while Bernadette and Howard are in bed together after they reconciled.

Sheldon, Amy, & Raj plot:
Meanwhile, Raj goes to Sheldon's office and notices he's busy with solving a problem. He wonders if their friends were right about them going down the mine being harsh for them. After he sells the reasons why he wants to go down the tunnel, Sheldon agrees to try it.

That same day, Raj and Sheldon are dressed up about to go down the mine but not before Amy tells him that she is proud of him for conquering his fears. Also, she tells them that she will rescue Sheldon before Raj. The guys go down there and Sheldon starts logging his simulation. Then, he starts singing random songs to keep himself occupied and keep his mind off his claustrophobia and Raj asks him to sing Miley Cyrus but it's clear he does not know who she is because he thinks she's a guy.

Raj explains that she plays Hannah Montana. Sheldon thinks it's preposterous that she would go unrecognized just for wearing a wig but Raj doesn't understand why he is okay with Superman revealing his identity with a glasses. He tells him that he combs back his curlicue and it affects his mild personality. Then, Amy asks if they are okay down there but he is irritated when she asks him. At first, he has to survive on the supplies that they got but changes his mind by asking him to bring some stuff down for them.

Then, his claustrophobia gets worse and does not understand why a guy in his 30s like him is studying dark matter when he used to be on top of the world. Raj tells him that he thinks of Star Trek: Voyager when he's scared but he hates that series. They continue to bond more briefly until he sees rats behind Raj. Rather than helping him out, he runs out like a chicken.

At the end, a reluctant Amy is transcribing Sheldon's simulation log when he was down at the mine. Then, Raj stand up for himself and tell him that he is selfish and not a good friend but he shows no remorse for what he did.

Observations:
- I'm glad that the episode covered about what real-life couples are going through. I had a really close friend that did not know how to handle financial stuff when he was married. He and his wife would have bumps in the road about how to spend money and they went to another couple for financial advice. They were able to solve their problems.

- I loved that there was more of Raj this week especially when he was able to tolerate Sheldon until he threw him under the bus. The Hannah Montana references were spot on. Superman is different from Hannah Montana and I can understand why Sheldon was questionable about her but not him. One is a superhero and the other is playing two lives.

- Amy is such a great support system to Sheldon. She went through great lengths to go with Sheldon to go down the mine and purchase the items that he needed down there.

- I loved how the way that Raj confronted Sheldon for being selfish and not being a great friend. I'm so glad that he had the guts to do that.

- I'm bummed that I have to wait more than a week until the next episode. I'm enjoying this season and I love that the writers are keeping the storylines fresh and not predictable.