The Love Car Displacement
Encyclopedia
"The Love Car Displacement" is an episode of the television series The Big Bang Theory
that first aired on CBS
on January 20, 2011. It is the thirteenth episode of the fourth season of the series and the seventy-sixth episode overall. The episode features a guest appearance by former professional basketball player Rick Fox
.
to join her and the other guys on a trip to a science conference in Big Sur, California, as she believes them to be best friends. At first, she rejects the offer, claiming that she already has other plans for the weekend, however when she hears it includes a spa
treatment, she changes her mind and accepts the offer. Before they can get on the road, Sheldon
, who was elected "travel supervisor" by the other guys because of threatening to use the filibuster
procedure, sets up an extensive program, during which he explains where and when they are going to take breaks and also decides the seat layout. It is revealed that Amy convinced Sheldon to let Penny ride in the lead car with Sheldon, Leonard
and her as Penny's "Nebraska backwoods skills and brawny hands" could help them if their car breaks down. Consequently, Howard
, Raj
, Bernadette and later Penny (after an attempt to stand up to Sheldon) ride in the other car.
At the hotel check-in, Bernadette spots Glenn (Rick Fox
), her former professor and ex-boyfriend. Howard feels intimidated by Glenn, who is tall and attractive and his musing about having to "compete" with Glenn eventually leads Bernadette to get mad at him. She then decides to stay with Amy and Penny in their room. Since there are only two beds and Penny can't sleep because of Amy's nightmares, she asks Leonard if she can stay with him and Sheldon. Leonard accepts, and as Penny finshes telling Leonard that they aren't going to have sex, Sheldon wakes up, asking them if they are going to have coitus. They both give different answers, prompting Sheldon to leave and seek shelter at Raj's room, where Raj is about to watch Bridget Jones's Diary
. Sheldon eventually kicks him out and Raj returns back to Leonard and Penny. As he walks in, they are just starting to make out. Leonard rejects his offer to watch Bridget Jones, so he crawls into bed to sleep, destroying the atmosphere for the others. The next morning, Sheldon, Leonard, Howard, Raj, Bernadette and Amy speak at the conference. After a fairly normal start, thy all begin to discuss the events of last night, with Leonard being upset about Raj walking in on him and Penny and Howard and Bernadette still fighting. After Leonard claims that he and Penny were getting back together, Penny makes it clear that it was just a one time thing. She then searches for someone who can "get her the hell out of here and back to Los Angeles" and leaves with Glenn. The others drive back to Pasadena in low spirits the next day. The episode ends with a police car in pursuit of Leonard, as, bothered by Penny being with Glenn, he is driving at 120 miles per hour.
IGN
's Jenna Busch gave the episode a mixed review stating that "the episode was really a bit cheesy" and that she "didn't like the framework". She did, however, praise several character moments including Melissa Rauch
's portrayal of Bernadette saying; "Bernadette was wonderful, as always. She's just so adorable, I could see her dating Rick Fox". Busch summed up by by writing "There were definitely funny moments here, but that zing was missing tonight". Jeffrey Kirkpatrick from TV Fanatic.com gave the episode a more positive review saying that "The brilliance of the show, as I've said before, is when Penny and Sheldon interact, but it's even striking a chord each time Penny and Amy are thrown together". Kirkpatrick also praised Kaley Cuoco
as Penny, he wrote: "Kaley Cuoco is a very gifted comedienne, and her reactions to the nuttiness of the supposedly genius minds around her are always my favorite parts of every episode".
The Big Bang Theory
The Big Bang Theory is an American sitcom created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, both of whom serve as executive producers on the show, along with Steven Molaro. All three also serve as head writers...
that first aired on CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
on January 20, 2011. It is the thirteenth episode of the fourth season of the series and the seventy-sixth episode overall. The episode features a guest appearance by former professional basketball player Rick Fox
Rick Fox
Ulrich Alexander "Rick" Fox is a Canadian television actor and retired professional basketball player who last played for the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers in 2004.-Early life:...
.
Plot
Amy asks PennyPenny (The Big Bang Theory)
Penny is a fictional character on the CBS television series The Big Bang Theory, portrayed by American actress Kaley Cuoco.Penny is the main female character on the show. She is Leonard Hofstadter and Sheldon Cooper's neighbor across the hallway, and the main love interest of Leonard...
to join her and the other guys on a trip to a science conference in Big Sur, California, as she believes them to be best friends. At first, she rejects the offer, claiming that she already has other plans for the weekend, however when she hears it includes a spa
Spa
The term spa is associated with water treatment which is also known as balneotherapy. Spa towns or spa resorts typically offer various health treatments. The belief in the curative powers of mineral waters goes back to prehistoric times. Such practices have been popular worldwide, but are...
treatment, she changes her mind and accepts the offer. Before they can get on the road, Sheldon
Sheldon Cooper
Sheldon Lee Cooper, B.S., M.S., M.A., Ph.D., Sc.D. is a fictional character from Texas on the CBS television series The Big Bang Theory, portrayed by actor Jim Parsons...
, who was elected "travel supervisor" by the other guys because of threatening to use the filibuster
Filibuster
A filibuster is a type of parliamentary procedure. Specifically, it is the right of an individual to extend debate, allowing a lone member to delay or entirely prevent a vote on a given proposal...
procedure, sets up an extensive program, during which he explains where and when they are going to take breaks and also decides the seat layout. It is revealed that Amy convinced Sheldon to let Penny ride in the lead car with Sheldon, Leonard
Leonard Hofstadter
Leonard Leakey Hofstadter, Ph.D., is a fictional character on the CBS television series The Big Bang Theory, portrayed by actor Johnny Galecki. Leonard is an experimental physicist from New Jersey who shares an apartment with colleague and best friend Sheldon Cooper...
and her as Penny's "Nebraska backwoods skills and brawny hands" could help them if their car breaks down. Consequently, Howard
Howard Wolowitz
Howard Joel Wolowitz, M.Eng is a fictional character on the CBS television series The Big Bang Theory, portrayed by actor Simon Helberg.Among the main male characters in the show, Howard is distinguished for lacking a doctoral degree, for still living with his mother, and for believing himself to...
, Raj
Rajesh Koothrappali
Rajesh Ramayan "Raj" Koothrappali, Ph.D. is a fictional character on the CBS television series The Big Bang Theory, portrayed by actor Kunal Nayyar....
, Bernadette and later Penny (after an attempt to stand up to Sheldon) ride in the other car.
At the hotel check-in, Bernadette spots Glenn (Rick Fox
Rick Fox
Ulrich Alexander "Rick" Fox is a Canadian television actor and retired professional basketball player who last played for the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers in 2004.-Early life:...
), her former professor and ex-boyfriend. Howard feels intimidated by Glenn, who is tall and attractive and his musing about having to "compete" with Glenn eventually leads Bernadette to get mad at him. She then decides to stay with Amy and Penny in their room. Since there are only two beds and Penny can't sleep because of Amy's nightmares, she asks Leonard if she can stay with him and Sheldon. Leonard accepts, and as Penny finshes telling Leonard that they aren't going to have sex, Sheldon wakes up, asking them if they are going to have coitus. They both give different answers, prompting Sheldon to leave and seek shelter at Raj's room, where Raj is about to watch Bridget Jones's Diary
Bridget Jones's Diary (film)
Bridget Jones's Diary is a 2001 British romantic comedy film based on Helen Fielding's novel of the same name. The adaptation stars Renée Zellweger as Bridget, Hugh Grant as the caddish Daniel Cleaver, and Colin Firth as Bridget's "true love", Mark Darcy...
. Sheldon eventually kicks him out and Raj returns back to Leonard and Penny. As he walks in, they are just starting to make out. Leonard rejects his offer to watch Bridget Jones, so he crawls into bed to sleep, destroying the atmosphere for the others. The next morning, Sheldon, Leonard, Howard, Raj, Bernadette and Amy speak at the conference. After a fairly normal start, thy all begin to discuss the events of last night, with Leonard being upset about Raj walking in on him and Penny and Howard and Bernadette still fighting. After Leonard claims that he and Penny were getting back together, Penny makes it clear that it was just a one time thing. She then searches for someone who can "get her the hell out of here and back to Los Angeles" and leaves with Glenn. The others drive back to Pasadena in low spirits the next day. The episode ends with a police car in pursuit of Leonard, as, bothered by Penny being with Glenn, he is driving at 120 miles per hour.
Reception
On the night of its first broadcast on January 20, 2011, the episode was watched by 13.63 million households. The episode was the fifth most watched episode of the season.IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
's Jenna Busch gave the episode a mixed review stating that "the episode was really a bit cheesy" and that she "didn't like the framework". She did, however, praise several character moments including Melissa Rauch
Melissa Rauch
Melissa Ivy Rauch is an American actress and comedian. She is best known for her role as Bernadette Rostenkowski on the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory.-Early life and education:...
's portrayal of Bernadette saying; "Bernadette was wonderful, as always. She's just so adorable, I could see her dating Rick Fox". Busch summed up by by writing "There were definitely funny moments here, but that zing was missing tonight". Jeffrey Kirkpatrick from TV Fanatic.com gave the episode a more positive review saying that "The brilliance of the show, as I've said before, is when Penny and Sheldon interact, but it's even striking a chord each time Penny and Amy are thrown together". Kirkpatrick also praised Kaley Cuoco
Kaley Cuoco
Kaley Christine Cuoco is an American film and television actress. She first came to attention for her role as Bridget Hennessy on the Emmy Award-winning sitcom 8 Simple Rules. She later starred as Billie Jenkins on the final season of the supernatural drama series Charmed...
as Penny, he wrote: "Kaley Cuoco is a very gifted comedienne, and her reactions to the nuttiness of the supposedly genius minds around her are always my favorite parts of every episode".