The Stockholm Syndrome (The Big Bang Theory)
Sheldon and Amy win a Nobel Prize; Penny reveals pregnancy.
"The Stockholm Syndrome" serves as the series finale of the sitcom *The Big Bang Theory*, marking the 24th episode of season 12 and the 279th episode overall. It first aired on CBS in the United States on May 16, 2019. The episode was written by co-creators Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, alongside a team including Steve Holland, Steven Molaro, Dave Goetsch, Eric Kaplan, Maria Ferrari, Andy Gordon, Anthony Del Broccolo, Tara Hernandez, Jeremy Howe, and Adam Faberman. Mark Cendrowski directed.
In the plot, Sheldon and Amy have just won a Nobel Prize in Physics, and Penny reveals she is pregnant. Sarah Michelle Gellar appears as herself. The episode drew 18.52 million U.S. viewers and received favorable reviews.
After Sheldon and Leonard spend 139 hours 30 minutes (about 5.8 days) fixing Sheldon’s DNA model, the group prepares to fly to Sweden for the Nobel ceremony. Howard and Bernadette leave their kids with Stuart and Denise, while Raj leaves his dog Cinnamon with Bert. Penny and Leonard keep her pregnancy secret. On the way out, the group stuffs luggage into the now-working elevator and takes the stairs. On the plane, Raj sits next to a sleeping Sarah Michelle Gellar, but his friends doubt it’s her. Penny’s frequent bathroom trips worry Sheldon, who thinks she’s sick. When Penny tells him she’s pregnant, Sheldon is only relieved she isn’t contagious and announces it to everyone. Leonard is upset at Sheldon’s lack of excitement, and Amy and Bernadette are annoyed Penny didn’t tell them first.
At the hotel, Howard and Bernadette call Stuart and fret about their children after hearing about mishaps. Howard is irritated by Sheldon’s unsupportive reaction. Though Penny enjoys the food, she and Leonard decide to go home due to Sheldon’s rudeness. Amy angrily tells Sheldon he hurt his friends and that people tolerate him only because his insensitivity isn’t deliberate. The group stays for the ceremony, and Raj brings Gellar as his plus-one. Sheldon and Amy receive their Nobel medals. Amy encourages girls to pursue science in her speech. Sheldon sets aside his long-prepared monologue and thanks his family, friends, and wife, acknowledging their support and saying he loves them. The episode ends with the group eating in Apartment 4A, as an acoustic version of the theme song’s chorus plays.
According to producer Steve Holland, the writers knew fans had expectations
- series
- The Big Bang Theory
- episode_number
- 279th overall, 24th of season 12
- air_date
- May 16, 2019
- network
- CBS
- director
- Mark Cendrowski
- writers
- Chuck Lorre, Bill Prady, Steve Holland, Steven Molaro, Dave Goetsch, Eric Kaplan, Maria Ferrari, Andy Gordon, Anthony Del Broccolo, Tara Hernandez, Jeremy Howe, Adam Faberman
- viewership
- 18.52 million total viewers (U.S.)
Quick Facts
- Series
- The Big Bang Theory
- Season
- 12
- Episode
- 24
- Director
- Mark Cendrowski
- Writer
- Chuck Lorre / Steve Holland / Steven Molaro / Bill Prady / Dave Goetsch / Eric Kaplan / Maria Ferrari / Andy Gordon / Anthony Del Broccolo / Tara Hernandez / Jeremy Howe / Adam Faberman
- Production
- T12.16024
- Airdate
- 2019-05-16
- Length
- 23 minutes
- Photographer
- Steven V. Silver
- Editor
- Peter Chakos
- Guests
- Sarah Michelle Gellar as herself
- Prev
- The Change Constant
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The episode finds Sheldon and Amy receiving a Nobel Prize in Physics, and Penny reveals she is pregnant. Sarah Michelle Gellar guest stars as herself. After Sheldon and Leonard spend 139 hours 30 minutes (about 5.8 days) repairing Sheldon's DNA molecule model, everyone prepares to fly to Sweden for the Nobel Prize award ceremony. Howard and Bernadette nervously leave their kids with Stuart and Denise (they had previously left them with Stuart and Denise in season 12 episode 'The Propagation Proposition'), while Raj leaves his dog Cinnamon with Bert. Penny and Leonard are continuing to keep Penny's pregnancy a secret. Traveling outbound, the group cram all their luggage in the now-working elevator and are forced to take the stairs themselves. On the flight
Reader's Guide
The episode was watched by 24.75 million total viewers in the United States and garnered positive reviews from critics. Daniel Fienberg from The Hollywood Reporter gave a positive review, finding Sheldon's acceptance speech moving and enjoying the final scene, though he criticized that the finale did not know what to do with Raj and did not sufficiently explore Penny's changed mind over having children. Saloni Gajjar from Mashable summarized the episode as sweet and formulaic, praising Amy's speech on women in science but criticizing Raj's lack of closure. Brian Lowry from CNN wrote that the episode felt satisfying and appropriate, reflecting the show's development through key female characters and more grown-up problems. Lincee Ray from Entertainment Weekly appreciated the low-key ending with a sweet speech from Sheldon. The episode was first broadcast on CBS on May 16, 2019, at 8 p.m., and was watched by 18.52 million viewers on CBS, ranking #1 for the day. In Canada, the episode received 4.33 million viewers on CTV, making it the most watched episode that year. In Australia, it aired on the Nine Network on July 3, 2019, and had 1 million viewers.
Did You Know?
- Sarah Michelle Gellar guest stars as herself; before she was cast, Sandra Bullock was offered the role but declined due to scheduling conflicts.
- The characters' clothing evokes the pilot episode.
- Leonard and Sheldon take 139 hours 30 minutes to rebuild the DNA molecule, which is the total length of time of The Big Bang Theory (with each episode running 30 minutes with commercials).
- The working elevator in the apartment building is used for the first time in the series.
More in The Big Bang Theory episodes 1-24
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