Financial Permeability

Financial Permeability
Writers	Chuck Lorre (Story), Steven Molaro (Story), Richard Rosenstock (Teleplay), Eric Kaplan (Teleplay)
Director	Mark Cendrowski
Starring	Brian Patrick Wade as Kurt
Air Date	2 February 2009
Vanity	Card #239
Guide	Episode #214
Quotes	Episode #214
Forums	Discuss Episode

Season 2, Episode 14 (0214)

Friendship Algorithm . . . << Financial Permeability >> . . . Maternal Capacitance

Summary

Sheldon's "simple" solution to Penny's financial problem leads to a confrontation between Leonard and Penny's hulking ex-boyfriend, Kurt.

Full summary (edited from Wikipedia):

Sheldon's "simple" solution to Penny's financial problem leads to a confrontation between Leonard and Penny's hulking ex-boyfriend, Kurt. Penny hasn't paid her rent, so Sheldon matter-of-factly loans her some money. It's a perfectly logical solution in his way of thinking because he has extra and no large expenditures coming up, and she needs money. But then Penny starts to worry about not being about to pay Sheldon back soon enough, even though Sheldon isn't even thinking about it. In fact, Sheldon is completely baffled by Penny's evident discomfort around him. Leonard tries to help Penny solve her problem and in the process learns that Kurt owes Penny $1800. Without telling Penny, Leonard goes to Kurt's place to collect the money, and Kurt writes "I owe Penny $1800" on Leonard's forehead in indelible ink. At the end of the episode, Penny pays Sheldon back, exclaiming happily that Kurt paid her the money he owed her, but much to Leonard's disappointment, Kurt evidently never told Penny about Leonard's visit, and in fact, Penny and Kurt are getting back together.

Episode outline

I. Living room

• The guys fail to find an "algorithm" for having dinner and going to the movies in a "Sheldon approved way", so Sheldon stays, while the rest goes.

Titles and opening theme

II. hallway in front of apartments

• Sheldon comes upstairs, when Penny runs up the stairs, telling Sheldon to shut the door.

III. Living room

• Penny tells Sheldon about her financial problems. He lends her money.

IV. first floor of the building

• Sheldon and Leonard meet an ill-tempered Penny, who snaps at Sheldon who is confused.

V. Living room

• The guys and Penny have takeouts. Penny snaps at everyone, feels interrogated and leaves.

VI. Penny's apartment

• Penny tells Leonard about her financial problems. He tries to help and finds out that Kurt is the main reason for the trouble.

VII. Living room

• Leonard asks the other guys to accompany to go to Kurt and get the money he owes Penny. They are very reluctant.

VIII. hallway in front of Kurt's apartment

• Leonard confronts Kurt with the other three serving as "supportive backup". Kurt refuses to give the money.
• Sheldon, Howard and Rajesh leave, while Leonard tries a second time.

IX. Leonard's car

• Leonard has an acknowledgment of the debt in inedible ink on his forehead .

X. Living room

• Penny gives Sheldon his money back and tells him and Leonard that Kurt gave her back the money he owed her. Sheldon is proud of Leonard.

Resources

List of entries from this episode

Wikipedia episode guide

Still to come: IMDb page for this episode

Timeline

The episode starts on an evening with the guys going to the movies (so it's no weekend day, see Schedule). A few days later Penny and the guys have Chinese and later play a board game. Kurt gives Penny her money back another few days later and she also states she did a few more shifts at the Cheesecake Factory. So in total it can be assumed that the events happened over the course of (at least) one week.

Title

The title refers to Penny's financial trouble.