Wheaton Recurrence

Wheaton Recurrence
Writers	story by Chuck Lorre, Steve Molaro, Nicole Lorre, and Jessica Ambrosetti, teleplay by Bill Prady, Dave Goetsch, Jim Reynolds, and Maria Ferrari
Director	Mark Cendrowski
Starring	Wil Wheaton as himself, Kevin Sussamnn as Stuart
Air Date	12 April 2010
Vanity	Card #282
Guide	Episode #319
Quotes	Episode #319
Forums	Discuss Episode

Season 3, Episode 19 (0319)

Pants Alternative . . . << Wheaton Recurrence >> . . . Spaghetti Catalyst

Summary

A fight between Leonard and Penny threatens their relationship, while Sheldon battles Wil Wheaton in bowling.

Episode Outline

I. Penny's bedroom

• After an obvious romantic encounter, Penny quotes Yoda and Leonard admits that he loves her. Penny doesn't reply.

Title and Opening Themes

II. Living room

• While watching a movie, Sheldon, Raj and Howard discuss "giant ants". Leonard can't be bothered and the guys wonder why that is.

III. Comic book store

• Howard and Raj try to find out why Leonard is upset about Penny.
• Stuart reminds Sheldon of a bowling match the same evening.

IV. Stairway

• Still guessing what happened, the guys meet Penny. Sheldon reminds her of the bowling match.

V. Bowling Centre

• Stuart brought Lonely Larry and Captain Sweatpants and introduces his fourth team mate, Wil Wheaton. Sheldon isn't amused.

VI. Bowling Centre

• Sheldon and Wil Wheaton duel.
• Howard attempts to converse with Wil Wheaton, while Raj enjoys as a bottle of beer.
• In an attempt to relieve the tension between them, Penny tries to explain to Leonard why she didn't respond to him last night. When Leonard points out she could answer him now, Penny feels pushed and leaves.

VII. Stairway, Penny's apartment

• Sheldon gives Penny ice cream to comfort her in her "emotional crisis". He asks Penny to join him for a rematch with Stuart's team this night and suggests she should talk to Leonard, now.

VIII. Laundry room

• Penny explains to Leonard that she's afraid of using the "L-word" too soon. Leonard pretends everything was fine between them.
• Eavesdropping Sheldon interrupts them to take them to the bowling match.

IX. Bowling Centre

• Sheldon prepared T-Shirts his team labelled as the "Wesley Crushers".
• Sheldon and Stuart agree that the losing team will be publicly humiliated.
• Wil Wheaton distracts Sheldon, whose hatred growths.
• Stuart tries to converse with Penny.
• Leonard still can't get rid of his insecurities around Penny, Wil Wheaton overhears the conversation and "gets into her head". Despite Sheldon's warning, Penny listens to him and leaves Leonard and the match. Sheldon's team loses again.

X. Comic book store

• The guys have lost the game and appear dressed up as female Comic book heroines.

Resources

List of entries from this episode

Wil Wheaton's eight blog entries about the taping of this episode: [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8].

Photo of the table read script

David Saltzberg's science blog about this episode

Notes and Trivia

photo of the cast in, er, unusual attire

Wil Wheaton is left handed and throws his bowling ball with that hand. However, the inserted shot of the ball hitting the pins shows a right-handed curve.

Timeline

The episode most likely starts on a Tuesday night. The following day, we see the guys in the Comic book store, suggesting it's Wednesday - New Comic Book Night. The first Bowling match, therefore is Wednesday, 7pm, the second one on Thursday night. The episode finishes on of the following days when the guys "pay" for their lost game.

Title

The title refers to the recurrence of Sheldon's nemesis, Wil Wheaton.