The Skank Reflex Analysis
Penny and Raj's night leads to awkwardness and a paintball victory.
"The Skank Reflex Analysis" opens the fifth season of *The Big Bang Theory*, having first aired on CBS on September 22, 2011, as the 99th episode overall (including the unaired pilot).
After Penny and Raj slept together, and Leonard learned that Priya is returning to India, tensions run high. At a cafeteria lunch, Howard and Leonard are angry that Raj had sex with Penny; Raj defends himself by claiming they are in love. Leonard then tells Howard that Raj once liked Bernadette, which angers Howard further. When Bernadette learns this, she confronts Raj at his apartment. During her tirade, Raj asks if she thinks he has a chance with Penny; she replies that he does and that any woman would be lucky to have him.
Sheldon video-chats with Leonard’s mother to get advice on Leonard’s problems. Leonard explains he doesn’t want to reunite with Penny but can’t handle that she slept with a friend, and he’s also confused about his uncertain status with Priya. Despite her expertise in psychology, parenting, and child development, his mother’s only advice is, “Buck up, sissy pants.”
Amy visits Penny’s apartment to console her. To avoid awkward encounters with Leonard and the others, Penny asks to sleep at Amy’s place. Raj learns Penny is there via Amy’s Facebook page and shows up. He asks Penny on a date, but she says sleeping together was a mistake and she wants only friendship. Raj then reveals he ejaculated prematurely the previous night, so they technically didn’t have sex. Penny agrees to keep this secret.
During a paintball match against other Caltech departments, Sheldon appoints himself captain of the guys’ team. Seeing the team’s lack of enthusiasm due to recent events, Sheldon blames himself and sacrifices himself to the geology department. The gang rushes out to avenge him, but they ultimately lose the match.
As the guys celebrate, Penny interrupts to announce she’s moving back to Nebraska because of her failing acting career and fractured relationships with the group. Leonard tries to talk her out of it, but she gets a call from an agent offering a role in a hemorrhoid cream commercial. She changes her mind and stays in Pasadena, declaring she’s going to “be a star.” The episode ends with everyone watching the commercial.
On its first broadcast, the episode drew 14.30 million U.S. households, with a Nielsen rating of 4.9/14. In Canada, 3.72 million viewer
- Series
- The Big Bang Theory
- Season
- 5
- Episode number
- 1 (99th overall, including the unaired pilot)
- Original air date
- September 22, 2011
- Network
- CBS
- U.S. viewers (millions)
- 14.30
- Nielsen rating
- 4.9/14
Quick Facts
- Series
- The Big Bang Theory
- Season
- 5
- Episode
- 1
- Guests
- Christine Baranski as Dr. Beverly Hofstadter
- Teleplay
- Chuck Lorre / Bill Prady / Steven Molaro
- Story
- Eric Kaplan / Maria Ferrari / Anthony Del Broccolo
- Director
- Mark Cendrowski
- Airdate
- 2011-09-22
- Production
- 3X6851
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Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The episode opens the day after Penny and Raj slept together, while Leonard learns that Priya is moving back to India. During a tense lunch, Howard and Leonard are annoyed with Raj, who claims he and Penny are in love. Leonard reveals that Raj once liked Bernadette, angering Howard further. Bernadette confronts Raj, who asks if he has a chance with Penny; she retorts that he does. Sheldon video-chats with Leonard's mother, who offers no useful advice beyond "Buck up, sissy pants." Amy consoles Penny, who wants to avoid the guys. Raj finds Penny at Amy's via Facebook and asks her out; Penny says the sex was a mistake. Raj then reveals he ejaculated prematurely, so they did not technically have sex. Penny agrees to keep this secret. During a paintball match, Sheldon sacrifices himself to the geology department, and the team loses the match.
Reader's Guide
The episode serves as the season premiere for The Big Bang Theory's fifth season, resolving the cliffhanger of Penny and Raj's hookup while introducing new relationship tensions. Its reception was mixed: The TV Critic rated it 54 out of 100, while Oliver Sava of The A.V. Club gave it a B+, and Jenna Busch of IGN rated it 9/10, praising scenes between Amy and Penny. The episode drew 14.30 million U.S. households and a 4.9/15 Nielsen rating. In Canada, it had 3.72 million viewers and ranked third weekly. In Australia, a ratings error initially showed 1.225 million viewers and an 11th-place ranking, but the actual figures were 1.51 million and first place. In the UK, it had 1.08 million viewers on E4 (ranking 5th) and 0.258 million on E4 +1 (ranking 9th), totaling 1.339 million. The episode is notable for its use of the premature ejaculation reveal to undo the apparent sexual encounter, and for Penny's decision to stay in Pasadena after landing a commercial role.
Did You Know?
- The episode was watched by 14.30 million U.S. households on its first broadcast.
- In Australia, a ratings error initially showed the episode had 1.225 million viewers and ranked 11th, but the actual figures were 1.51 million and first place.
- Raj reveals that he ejaculated prematurely the previous night, so he and Penny did not technically have sex.
- Penny decides to stay in Pasadena after getting a part in a hemorrhoid cream commercial.
More in The Big Bang Theory episodes 1-24
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