The Tangerine Factor (19 May 2008)

After Penny breaks up with her new guy, she agrees to go out on a date with Leonard. However, both of them have reservations about the date soon after agreeing to it.

Director:

Mark Cendrowski

Writers:

Chuck Lorre (creator), Bill Prady (creator),

Stars:

Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
Johnny Galecki	...	Leonard Hofstadter
Jim Parsons	...	Sheldon Cooper
Kaley Cuoco	...	Penny
Simon Helberg	...	Howard Wolowitz
Kunal Nayyar	...	Raj Koothrappali
James Hong	...	Chen

Storyline

Penny has just broken up with her latest boyfriend Mike who blogged about their sex life. Besides feeling embarrassed about the blog contents, she's angry with herself for what she sees as her poor choice in men, who all seem to fit into the same mold. After a few discussions between the two on her break-up and a few tantrums on Penny's part, Leonard finally asks Penny out on an official date. Penny agrees despite or perhaps because Leonard does not fit into that mold. Afterward, Penny has second thoughts about going on a date with Leonard and speaks to the one person who she feels can place the best perspective on it: Sheldon. Leonard too has second thoughts and speaks to his best friend, Sheldon. Using the analogy of Schrödinger's cat, Sheldon tells both individually that they have to risk opening the box to find out what's inside. Will either do so?

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Plot Keywords:

schrödinger's cat | analogy | blog | startled | ipod | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Cantonese Mandarin

Release Date:

19 May 2008 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Stage 25, Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Chuck Lorre Productions, Warner Bros. Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

20 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Schroedinger's cat analogy recurrent through the show is mentioned again in The Codpiece Topology, wherein Penny mentions it to a guy she goes out with, as well as in The Russian Rocket Reaction, wherein Sheldon refers to "Schroedinger's Friendship".

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Goofs

When we first see Penny eating the ice cream, some of it is visible near the top of the carton. It dips much lower without her eating any. Also, a bag of Teddy Grahams moves around the carton on the counter with no one touching it.

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Quotes

Leonard Hofstadter: I don't think I can go out with her tonight.
Sheldon: Then, don't.
Leonard Hofstadter: Other people would say "Why not?"
Sheldon: Other people might be interested.
Leonard Hofstadter: I'm gonna talk anyway.
Sheldon: I assumed you would.

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Crazy Credits

In the opening scroll of the time line when it gets to 91,000 there is a mistake the dates read 93,000BC 92,000BC 91,0009C 90,000BC for some reason 91,000 is a 9c not a BC.

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Connections

References Fantasia (1940)

User Reviews

The Tangerine Factor is a funny and touching first season finale of "The Big Bang Theory"

Howard is teaching Sheldon Mandarin Chinese because Sheldon wants to complain to the head of a Chinese restaurant about their switching tangerine chicken for orange chicken. At this point, Penny storms in, yells at her boyfriend outside below while throwing his ipod out the window, and storms back out. Leonard tries to check in on her but is told to go away. What Penny was shouting about was her ex blogging about their sex lives. Howard quickly tries to find it online but is unsuccessful. When Leonard tries to reach Penny again she motions him in and allows Leonard to see what's on the web. It tells of all the places she and her guy made out including the Subway sandwich shop. Leonard tells Penny the guy was just expressing his love for her publicly so she goes back out to apologize. Moments later, Penny storms back in Leonard's apartment as she faults him for her witnessing her ex with another woman. Says Raj to Leonard: "Incredible. You screwed up the screw up." When Leonard confronts her again, Penny says she's through with men with perfect bodies, good hair, and money and just wants someone who cares for her. Leonard volunteers himself as a date which Penny accepts. Except the two are now having doubts about the night so they both go to Sheldon for advice. Sheldon proposes the Schrodinger's Cat theory which confuses Penny but makes sense for Leonard. When Leonard meets Penny at her apartment, they kiss and rush off to a Chinese restaurant but abruptly leave when they find Sheldon there complaining about mucus to the owner...What a way to end the first season of "The Big Bang Theory" with Leonard and Penny's first kiss! Loved hearing the audience clap approvingly at that and their acceptance of a first date earlier on. Great funny stuff with Sheldon's Mandarin confusing many Asians in the cast and his explanations of Schrodinger's Cat to both Penny and Leonard. Howard and Raj also provide fine support as usual. Before I end this comment, I'd like to give kudos to both the animation team responsible for the opening credit sequence and Barenaked Ladies for singing the theme song during that sequence. It's one of the best I've seen in the history of my watching television. And congrats, as always, to co-creator/executive producer Chuck Lorre for making one of the best shows of the season. I hope and think he'll win the Emmy this year. Hope to comment again in the fall. Until then...