Who Did It? Penny, Amy Or Bernadette? Only Diehard Big Bang Theory Fans Know!
- by Danielle Lasher
- – on
- in Movies and TV
In over a decade of The Big Bang Theory episodes, we've seen the all-too-human characters do a number of hilarious things. The three characters who make up the so-called Penny's Posse—Penny, Amy and Bernadette—grow and develop not just as foils for the guys, but as well-rounded and complete characters on their own, who forge strong friendships with each other. Each woman values the other for specific traits and accepts the good and the bad. Bernadette, Penny and Amy all contribute something different and unique to the friendships, and they help each other through tough and emotional times.
Amy, Bernadette and Penny have made a lot of memories over the years as they grew closer to each other, although not every memory was a good one. They had their share of fights and scuffles but eventually managed to see the other's side and resolve their conflicts. They've also been there for each other when their relationships foundered or hit a new milestone. As we get into the final season of The Big Bang Theory, we're taking a look back on some of the things the three main ladies have done. Calling All Big Bang Theory Fans—Who Did It? Penny, Amy or Bernadette?
Who gave Sheldon a napkin used and signed by Leonard Nimoy, and received a hug from Sheldon—a Saturnalia miracle?
Christmas gift exchanges can be difficult because sometimes it's hard to match the right gift to the right person. Sheldon received a gift so monumental one year that he hardly knew how to reciprocate. He feels that his gift should be of equal value and indicate the appropriate level of friendship, but when he sees his gift—the napkin signed by Star Trek actor Leonard Nimoy—he is flabbergasted. Who gave Sheldon a napkin used and signed by Leonard Nimoy, and received a hug from Sheldon—a Saturnalia miracle?
Who received the gift of a tiara, exclaiming, “Oh! It's a tiara! Put it on me!!!”
One evening, while on a dinner date, one of the couples had a fight because he didn't show any excitement for her great news—a paper published in the journal Neuron. Later, he is taken to a jewelry store by one of the girls to select a make-up gift, but he's too easily distracted by the pocket watches. He gets lucky, however—his friend has gotten a gift that he can give to his quasi-girlfriend to make up for his insensitivity. Who received the gift of a tiara, exclaiming, “Oh! It's a tiara! Put it on me!!!”
Who dislocated her shoulder and then got Sheldon to sing “Soft Kitty” in a round?
Although not often viewed as a hero, Sheldon had the opportunity one day when he discovered one of his friends had slipped and fallen, dislocating her shoulder. He attempts to help her dress, inadvertently copping a feel, and then very slowly drives her to the hospital. He helps her fill out her admission forms with clinical precision. When Sheldon finally arrives home with his friend, they are both worn out by the ordeal. Who dislocated her shoulder and then got Sheldon to sing “Soft Kitty” in a round?
Who is able to order Sheldon to sleep, citing her childhood growing up with five younger siblings?
Sometimes the guys find themselves wrestling with tough questions in their work. At one point, Sheldon becomes so obsessed with finding an answer to a physics problem that he stays awake for several days, behaving even more erratically than usual and annoying his friends immensely. Eventually, the friends can't take it anymore, but only one is able to command Sheldon to go to sleep. Who is able to order Sheldon to sleep, citing her childhood growing up with five younger siblings?
Who swung her change-loaded purse at the other girl, but accidentally hit Penny instead?
When Sheldon and Howard go to war over a parking spot, each retaliation grows in size and seriousness, and eventually, the girls are drawn into the fracas. Amy sides with Sheldon, Bernadette sides with Howard, and Penny tries to mediate the whole thing. When one of the girl's car is towed and scratched, the girls confront each other. One thing leads to another, and Penny ends up with a nose in need of repair and two black eyes. Who swung her change-loaded purse at the other girl, but accidentally hit Penny instead?
Who finds out that the group was unsuccessful, and volunteers to go back to the hacker's house with them and ensure that the WOW gear is given back?
When Sheldon's World of Warcraft account is hacked and several items are stolen, he is inconsolable and demands justice from the FBI and any other law enforcement he can get ahold of. He, Howard, Raj, and Leonard go on a journey to find the hacker and demand Sheldon's things back, but the hacker is physically intimidating and they chicken out. Who finds out that the group was unsuccessful, and volunteers to go back to the hacker's house with them and ensure that the WOW gear is given back?
Who appeared on Professor Proton's show after Howard Wolowitz to talk about neurobiology and brain lesions?
When the Professor Proton TV show is revived with Wil Wheaton in the titular role, Sheldon is angry about it and also a bit jealous. Professor Proton's first guest is astronaut Howard Wolowitz, which incenses Sheldon. Another of the friends is asked to appear on Professor Proton's show, but Sheldon thinks it's a bad idea. When he talks to his friends, however, they point out his selfishness. Who appeared on Professor Proton's show after Howard Wolowitz to talk about neurobiology and brain lesions?
Who was asked to officiate the re-wedding ceremony of Leonard and Penny, and led the ceremony off by attempting to quell side-chatter from the audience?
Although Penny and Leonard married one time before, they find that each of their families are disappointed that they didn't get to participate in the ceremony or celebrations. Leonard's mother particularly seems hurt by the exclusion, so the group invites everyone and plans a wedding. Everyone has a role in the wedding. Who was asked to officiate the re-wedding ceremony of Leonard and Penny, and led the ceremony off by attempting to quell side-chatter from the audience?
Who tried to take Sheldon's onion ring, and ended up fishing her underwear from off a tree outside the apartment window?
Sheldon is notoriously picky and particular about his food. It has to be exactly as he ordered it, and no one can touch it. His consternation knew no bounds one time when he discovered that someone had touched an onion ring from his meal. Even though the culprit put the onion ring back, Sheldon is wrathful and begins an ever escalating war with the perpetrator. Who tried to take Sheldon's onion ring, and ended up fishing her underwear from off a tree outside the apartment window?
Who commissioned an oversized painting of her and her new “bestie”?”
While some of the gifts given on the show have been very well received, not all gifts are spot-on. One humorous gift that Penny receives is a giant painting of her and one of her friends. The painting was commissioned and cost at least $3,000, as Penny's features were purportedly masculine and somewhat difficult to paint. Penny dislikes the painting but doesn't want to hurt her friend's feelings, so she hangs it when her friend is around. Who commissioned an oversized painting of her and her new “bestie?”
Who scared her coworker by yelling at him and his grandson at a company picnic three-legged racing contest?
Despite her diminutive stature—she's under five feet tall—this character is a lioness in sheep's clothing. She is aware of how cute and sweet she seems, but can summon a commanding presence at will and has shown many times her ability to cow the others, including Howard and Sheldon. When one of her friends is interviewing for a job, her coworker and friend discuss how they are actually secretly scared of her. Who scared her coworker by yelling at him and his grandson at a company picnic three-legged race?
Who shot a paintball at Sheldon's cushion?
Sometimes the guys take breaks from work to go paintballing. One of the girls walks into Sheldon and Leonard's apartment and sees the paintball gun, with which she accidentally shoots a paintball onto his spot. The cushion is smeared with green paint and the girl looks at Leonard, who is horrified. They try to act casual, but Sheldon figures it out and is angry, even when the cushion is taken to a dry cleaner. Who shot a paintball at Sheldon's cushion?
Who brought a questionable chair up to her apartment, only to find it contained uninvited rodent guests?
Some characters are very set in their ways, while others seize whatever opportunity comes their way. Opportunity sat on the curb one day in the form of a very nice-looking chair, which one of the girls proceeds to haul up to her apartment. Despite its dubious origins, the chair eventually meets with everyone's approval, until something in the chair begins to move and attacks Amy. Who brought a questionable chair up to her apartment, only to find it contained uninvited rodent guests?
Who invited Leonard to the wedding and helped him by pressing the frozen head of an ice sculpture to his groin?
Many times throughout the show the girls temporarily pair up platonically with guys other than their boyfriends. When Sheldon is acting out, one of the girls invites Leonard to attend a wedding with her instead. He injured himself dancing, and she helped him with his pulled groin by getting ice. The next day, Sheldon misunderstands the situation and in a rare fit of jealousy, lashes out at Leonard. Who invited Leonard to the wedding and helped him by pressing the frozen head of an ice sculpture to his groin?
Who dressed up in a Star Trek doctor uniform to play act performing body scans on her boyfriend?
Knowing that we all march to the beat of a different drummer, this character began to use her degree to influence the course of her budding romantic relationship. She developed cues and scenarios that allowed her and the object of her affection to interact positively, causing happy associations in his mind. One way that she has devised for influencing him is to show interest in his fandoms. Who dressed up in a Star Trek doctor uniform to play act performing body scans on her boyfriend?
Who had the car towed and even took the time to scratch it?
Every once in a while the girls get into an argument with each other, and show they can be as petty and irritable as the guys. When Sheldon and Howard get into it over the ownership of a parking spot, two of the girls begin to snipe at each other also. Things escalate until one of the girls parks her car in the contested spot, only to find the next day that it's been towed. Who had the car towed and even took the time to scratch it?
Who acted in Serial Ape-ist and Serial Ape-ist 2?
One running joke is introduced in the pilot episode of The Big Bang Theory. One of the characters is found to have been featured in a very low budget horror film that has gained a cult following online. All the guys have seen it, especially the topless shower scene. The character who did the topless scene isn't proud of her work, but years later agrees to make a sequel after getting advice from Wil Wheaton. Who acted in Serial Ape-ist and Serial Ape-ist 2?
Who claimed that she always thought she “should be in a tree baking cookies like a Keebler elf?”
Our friends sometimes ignore or disregard our bad habits out of love or affection for us, but one character may have inspired some fear in her friends as well. When one of the girls was confronted with her overpowering ways, she expressed shock, exclaiming that she thought she was sweet and nice. Her friend and her coworker pointed out that she only looked nice. Who claimed that she always thought she “should be in a tree baking cookies like a Keebler elf?”
Who agreed to drive to Las Vegas for a fast and private wedding ceremony?
While everyone in the group moves at different speeds in their relationships, one sudden decision at the end of season eight took many by surprise. One of the couples are engaged but can't seem to settle on a date for the wedding. Sheldon keeps pressing both, fixated on their inability to nail things down. One of the girls wonders why fixing a date is so important, but knows she doesn't want to wait until they're too old. Who agreed to drive to Las Vegas for a fast and private wedding ceremony?
Who revealed that she once competed in Miss California Quiznos of 1999?
Everyone in the show has a past, and as the seasons go by, we hear snippets of what the characters were up to before they all ended up as a friend group. As we learn more about each character's backstory, we come to understand who they are and why they react to each other the way they do. Sometimes little nuggets of information are thrown out quickly that nevertheless explain a lot about the person. Who revealed that she once competed in Miss California Quiznos of 1999?
Who worked at the Cheesecake Factory in order to pay for school until she graduated and was able to make a shift in professions?
The characters of Big Bang Theory don't always work directly in their fields or preferred professions. All of them have questioned their personal work direction at some point in time. When we first meet one character, she's working as a waitress to pay for her education. Eventually she graduates, earning her PhD in Microbiology. Who worked at the Cheesecake Factory in order to pay for school until she graduated and was able to make a professional shift?
Who brought home Ricky, the smoking monkey, so he could at least watch cable while developing emphysema?
Most of the characters in The Big Bang Theory are scientists, and often conduct experiments in order to make advancements in their respective fields. Sometimes they bring those experiments home with them. One of the characters surprises Sheldon when she reveals she's housing a monkey with serious issues, as he is participating in a nicotine addiction study. He's not a very friendly monkey. Who brought home Ricky, the smoking monkey, so he could at least watch cable while developing emphysema?
Who earned the nickname 'the Wildebeest' and became a double agent in order to spy on Leonard and Priya?
Leonard and Penny weren't always together. After they broke up, Leonard eventually starts dating Raj's sister, Priya. The girls decide that they aren't exactly comfortable with Priya. Although she is smart, successful and beautiful, they don't get along with her. Penny thinks she may still have feelings for Leonard, so the girls decide to send one of them in to spy on Leonard's date with Priya. Who earned the nickname 'the Wildebeest' and became a double agent in order to spy on Leonard and Priya?
Who stormed off, only to find that her boyfriend came after her to play a very arousing round of D&D?
Not all relationships follow a typical pattern, and one couple in The Big Bang Theory very much exemplify that. The road to the bedroom for this couple was long and winding, with many speed bumps. The other friends often joked about the couple's apparent lack of such interaction, saying during a game of Dungeons & Dragons that their D&D characters should be alone together like that since they never would be in real life. Who stormed off, only to find that her boyfriend came after her to play a very arousing round of D&D?
Whose idea was it to plan their own prom on the roof of the building?
Sometimes the girls reflect back on their younger years. In one episode, the girls reminisce about their prom experiences, and realize that none of them had a “real'”prom experience. One pointed out that she was on the cleanup crew and only got to dance with a mop. Another recalls how she made out with the football captain, and another reflected on how her date was more interested in her best friend. Whose idea was it to plan their own prom on the roof of the building?
Which of the girls accidentally went to bed with Raj?
It takes Raj years to get over his selective mutism. The only thing that helps him speak to girls is having a drink or taking medication. Despite his difficulty in speaking to girls when not under the influence, he asks one of the girls to accompany him to his party in celebration of his being one of People's 30 Under 30. She agrees, but they both apparently imbibe too much, as they wake up in bed together the next day. Which of the girls accidentally went to bed with Raj?
Who dated Zack Johnson and was even briefly married to him, although unintentionally?
The girls dated a number of guys throughout the series before settling in with their steadies. One of the men that one of the girls dated extensively was Zack Johnson. He was vice president of a menu manufacturer. He wasn't known for his exceptional intelligence, but his girlfriend didn't notice until after she'd known the guys for awhile—and then she realized she couldn't tolerate Zack's stupidity any longer. Who dated Zack Johnson and was even briefly married to him, although unintentionally?
Who planned tests for her friends and scored them on their abilities in order to determine who should be maid of honor?
It's not easy to determine who should fulfill what duties at a wedding, and when one couple couldn't decide, the bride-to-be reverted to her scientific training and devised tests that they could use to score their friends and thus determine who would do the best job. When their friends found out, however, they get angry and have to be cajoled into getting back into the wedding planning. Who planned tests for her friends and scored them on their abilities in order to determine who should be maid of honor?
Which one of his biologist friends shouts at him, “Oh just pat the bird, you big baby?”
Sheldon is afraid of many things—touching strangers, germs, nets and even birds. When a bird gets into his apartment, he panics and tries everything he can to get it out, including calling animal control. Eventually he enlists the help of two of his friends, insisting they take control of the situation since they're both biologists. He finally conquers his fear enough to get close to it, but still hesitates. Which one of his biologist friends shouts at him, “Oh just pat the bird, you big baby?”
Who agreed to put on a black wig to cover her hair and go as Wonder Woman?
The guys get excited one year about a competition at the comic book store and decide to go as DC Comics’ Justice League. In order to do this, however, they need a girl. Despite Raj's offer, they decide to ask one of the girls to step in and take on Wonder Woman. The plan almost goes awry when she refuses to go and to wear the wig, but then she relents. Who agreed to put on a black wig to cover her hair and go as Wonder Woman?
Who burned a Batman comic book with her curling iron?
Even though the main characters of The Big Bang Theory are best friends and even dating or married, they sometimes aren't completely honest with each other. In one episode, a beloved comic book is burned by a carelessly placed curling iron. The girl who burned it runs to Stuart's comic book store to attempt to replace it without the owner ever finding out, but it turns out to be harder than she thought when Stuart doesn't have it on hand. Who burned a Batman comic book with her curling iron?
Who was quarantined and was the recipient of a very romantic song sung by Howard with her friends as backup singers?
People often think of scientific lab work as safe, but a few of the characters have been quarantined at different times. One time occurred when one of the characters tried to move too many petri dishes of a raccoon virus and dropped one. She's forced to sit in an isolation ward for a period of time, but Howard comes to serenade her with a lovely song. Who was quarantined and was the recipient of a very romantic song sung by Howard with her friends as backup singers?
Which of the girls has a doctorate in neurobiology, and attended Harvard and a summer program at Princeton?
Many of the characters on The Big Bang Theory are highly educated and attended the most prestigious schools. One such character got a degree from Harvard and spent at least one semester in Norway. She has earned a doctorate in neurobiology, although we don't know from which school. At one point, she goes to Princeton University for a semester. Which of the girls has a doctorate in neurobiology, and attended Harvard and a summer program at Princeton?
Who broke Howard's nose when he tried to come on to her?
One of the girls returns home one day only to be accosted by a dangerous robot. The guys later take it to a competition and ask the girl to accompany them. When Howard continuously pesters her, she finally explodes on him in anger and crushes him. When he's too depressed to leave his house, she goes to make up with him, but he can't help but be creepy, and she punches him, breaking his nose. Who broke Howard's nose when he tried to come on to her?
Who plays the harp and gave us a stirring rendition of REM's “Everybody Hurts?”
Pretty early on, we find out that Leonard is an accomplished cellist, in addition to being a top scientist in his field. The other characters don't show a lot of musical aptitude until we discover that one of the girls is proficient on the harp. We first see her playing the harp after she is excluded from bridesmaid dress shopping by the other two girls. She plays the harp again at a wedding much later on. Who plays the harp and gave us a stirring rendition of REM's “Everybody Hurts?”
Who asked Leonard and his friends to get her TV back from her ex-boyfriend, Kurt?
As intelligent as the guys are, that doesn't stop them from occasionally making some less-than-intelligent decisions. We find this out early on, when one of the girls has recently split up with her boyfriend but hasn't gotten all of her stuff back yet. When she tells the guys, they unthinkingly agree to go get her television from her tall, athletically built ex-boyfriend. Who asked Leonard and his friends to get her TV back from her ex-boyfriend, Kurt?
Who was the only one of the three girls who never worked at the Cheesecake Factory?
The Cheesecake Factory is talked about and seen so often that in some ways it's a character all of its own. The guys regularly dine there and have met several celebrities in the restaurant or at the bar. Sheldon even decides to briefly work there for free in order to get his brain to work better on a problem he can't solve. Two of the girls worked at the Cheesecake Factory. Who was the only one of the three girls who never worked at the Cheesecake Factory?
Who cuts Sheldon's hair when his barber is in a coma?
Sometimes a character surprises us with their heretofore unmentioned skills that don't seem to have anything to do with their area of expertise. Leonard is an accomplished cellist, and though Sheldon doesn't seem particularly concerned with music, he is revealed in one episode to own a pair of bongos. One of the girls admits that she's actually very good at cutting and styling hair, but it takes a lot of convincing to get Sheldon to go under her scissors. Who cuts Sheldon's hair when his barber is in a coma?
Whose mother prohibited bike riding in case her daughter's innocence was lost?
Mothers figure prominently in The Big Bang Theory. Leonard's mother is cold and constantly projects an air of disappointment. Sheldon's mother is warm but deeply religious and doesn't always understand her son's intelligence. We don't get to meet the girls' mothers, at least not in the way the guys' mothers are introduced. One of the girls explains that her mother was very strict and overprotective, even going so far as to prohibit her from riding a bike, in case she hit a bump and lost her innocence. Whose mother prohibited bike riding in case her daughter's innocence was lost?
Who is the only one of the girls who perfectly understands how to play Counterfactuals?
The gang often invent new games to play with each other, such as three way chess. One game that was invented to the befuddlement of most of the others was a game called Counterfactuals. It involved asking a question and following convoluted logic to arrive at an answer, but when the two who invented it try to share the game with others, they can't figure out how to get to the answer. Who is the only one of the girls who perfectly understands how to play Counterfactuals?