The Big Bang Theory recap: The Bachelor Party Corrosion

Every once in a while, The Big Bang Theory embraces it’s nerd heritage and busts out an episode that showcases the scientific side of the comedy. For example, in “The Bachelor Party Corrosion,” it’s important to know that Richard Feynman was a famous theoretical physicist. If Sheldon had a locker at work, this guy’s picture would be hanging alongside Mr. Spock.

Before your eyes glaze over at the mention of quantum mechanics, this famous physicist is key to the plot simply because Howard secured Feynman’s groovy van for a bachelor party weekend in Mexico where the guys will properly celebrate Leonard’s nuptials. It takes some convincing to get Sheldon on board. After forcing him (bound and blindfolded) into the van, the realization of his butt being cradled in the exact same butt dent as Feynman was enough to get his creative juices flowing. Thank goodness he had the wherewithal to get his yellow fever inoculation when he visited Epcot.

Sadly, a flat tire hinders the fiesta plans of our party-goers. Howard is able to loosen all of the lug nuts except one. The four friends study the tire. After brainstorming ideas that involved Superman’s heat vision, the Green Lantern’s ring, and a quick call to The Avengers, they decide to approach the problem using science.

Option 1: A lever

While Sheldon demands they first decide if they are going to pronounce “lever” like the soap or “lever” that rhymes with clever, Howard secures a traffic sign and applies pressure to the wrench. The 98-pound weakling wearing a dickey hanging from the “ALTO” sign is not successful.

Option 2: Percussive shock

Leonard tries to loosen the lug nut by pounding it with a wrench. The rhythmic beat reminds Howard and Raj of the familiar opening cadence of “We Will Rock You.” But instead of rocking you, these scientists are going to percussive shock you. This is nerd love at its finest. My favorite part was when Sheldon gets caught in the moment and busts out the first verse with the passion of a thousand Freddie Mercurys. He feels that his eidetic memory is a curse. In this case, I feel it is a blessing.

Option 3: Thermal expansion

Did you know that tortilla chips are a good fuel source? You should also know that lighting one on fire and holding it against a stubborn lug nut will not make it budge.

Option 4: Accelerated corrosion

For those of you wondering if a combination of salsa and jumper cables will do the trick, the answer is no.

Option 5: Exothermic reaction

The lug nut does concede when the flame of a match merges with a little bit of rust scraped from the old van’s hood. Unfortunately the entire van catches on fire and is engulfed in flames as four friends watch a legacy’s property burn before them. According to Chuck Lorre’s vanity card at the end of the episode, that really was Richard Feynman’s van. He would like for you to know that it was not injured in the making of this episode.

While the boys were away, the girls were ready to play. Penny isn’t interested in a bachelorette party. She opts for a relaxing night at home. That doesn’t stop Amy from making cookies in the shape of male genitals. Good news: You have your pick between Jew and gentile. Mazel tov!

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Bernadette asks Amy how she’s handling single life. She admits that she wants to try dressing differently. Bernadette and Penny are quick to suggest a multitude of things she should change, but Amy lands on piercing her ears. This is huge for Amy since her mother told her that pierced ears were for whores, pirates, and genies. It’s time to forget about her mama’s sin closet and embrace the world. Break out the ice cubes and a sterilized needle!

While Penny takes Amy’s ear virginity, Bernadette asks Penny why she hasn’t changed her relationship status on Facebook. There’s a simple explanation — her parents don’t know she married Leonard. Bernadette also uncovers that Amy hasn’t told her mom that she broke up with Sheldon. Bernadette encourages them to be adults. The girls are going to have to call their parents and confess.

Penny connects with her dad who is extremely calm about missing her wedding. As luck would have it, he’s been keeping something from her too. Like father, like daughter. A year ago, he ran over Penny’s pet pig with his tractor. No, they didn’t have bacon for breakfast that week. The pig is buried in the backyard with Penny’s great-grandmother.

Amy chickens out when she calls her mother. Penny grabs the phone and shouts that Amy broke up with Sheldon, got her ears pierced, and made her eat penis cookies. Surely this news is going to result in at least a couple of hours of Amy secluded in Penny’s closet. If we look at this logically, that’s still better than being stuck overnight in Mexico with Sheldon.

Theoretical Laugher

Sheldon: It’s bad enough that I’m being taken against my will. I don’t see why it has to be in some hippie’s mobile sex dungeon.

Penny: Lock up your daughters, or Sheldon might lecture them about the North American Free Trade Agreement.