The Hot Troll Deviation
Howard's virtual affair with a troll causes relationship fallout.
"The Hot Troll Deviation" is the 67th episode of *The Big Bang Theory*, serving as the fifth installment of its fourth season. CBS broadcast it on October 14, 2010. The plot follows Howard and Bernadette as they attempt to restart their romance after a previous split, while Sheldon and Raj engage in a back-and-forth campaign of pranks. The episode’s name alludes to Howard’s online sexual encounter with a troll character in *World of Warcraft*. Guest stars include Katee Sackhoff from *Battlestar Galactica* and George Takei from *Star Trek*, who appear in Howard’s fantasy sequence and later during a car scene with Bernadette. This episode marks Melissa Rauch’s promotion to the main cast. In the U.S., it drew 12.57 million viewers and earned a Nielsen rating of 7.6/13. Critical reception was mixed, with scores ranging from a C+ from *The A.V. Club* to a 9 out of 10 from IGN.
- series
- The Big Bang Theory
- season
- 4
- episode_number
- 5
- overall_episode
- 67
- first_air_date
- October 14, 2010
- network
- CBS
- viewers_millions
- 12.57
Quick Facts
- Series
- The Big Bang Theory
- Season
- 4
- Guests
- Katee Sackhoff as herself / George Takei as himself / Carol Ann Susi as Mrs. Wolowitz
- Teleplay
- Bill Prady / Lee Aronsohn / Maria Ferrari
- Story
- Chuck Lorre / Steven Molaro / Adam Faberman
- Director
- Mark Cendrowski
- Airdate
- 2010-10-14
- Production
- 3X6654
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Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
In the episode, Howard hides under a table at the Cheesecake Factory to avoid Bernadette. He later has a sexual fantasy featuring Katee Sackhoff in a Battlestar Galactica flight suit, which is interrupted by Bernadette and George Takei. The fantasy ends when Howard's mother shouts at him. Penny learns that Howard and Bernadette broke up because Bernadette caught him having cybersex with a World of Warcraft player, later revealed to be a male Caltech janitor. Howard and Bernadette go on a date and decide to try again, but Bernadette says she needs to get to know him again. Meanwhile, Raj insists on getting a desk, leading to a series of tit-for-tat exchanges with Sheldon. Raj buys a huge ornate desk, brings a budgerigar, turns up the heat, and shoots a Nerf gun. Sheldon retaliates with a marshmallow rifle, loud Indian music, and attempts to create foul-smelling gases. Raj accidentally ignites hydrogen sulfide with a scented candle, leaving him scorched and vowing revenge.
Reader's Guide
The episode is notable for introducing Melissa Rauch as a main cast member. It received mixed reviews: Emily VanDerWerff of The A.V. Club gave it a C+, praising the Raj and Sheldon storyline but criticizing lazy jokes. The TV Critic rated it 52 out of 100, noting two good stories poorly told. Jenna Busch of IGN rated it 9 out of 10, thrilled for a Howard-centric episode. Eric Hochberger from TV Fanatic gave it 3.7 out of 5 stars, praising Bernadette and George Takei but noting safe storytelling. The episode was watched by 12.57 million viewers with a Nielsen rating of 7.6/13 in the U.S. It also aired in Canada, the UK, and Australia with varying viewership.
Did You Know?
- Melissa Rauch became part of the main cast in this episode.
- The title refers to Howard's virtual affair with a troll on World of Warcraft.
- The episode features guest appearances by Katee Sackhoff and George Takei.
- The episode was watched by 12.57 million viewers in the U.S. on its first broadcast.
More in The Big Bang Theory episodes 1-24
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