The Monopolar Expedition (11 May 2009)

Penny gets upset when she finds out Leonard and the guys plan to work at the North Pole for the summer.

Director:

Mark Cendrowski

Writers:

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

Stars:

Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco

Cast

Episode cast overview:
Johnny Galecki	...	Leonard Hofstadter
Jim Parsons	...	Sheldon Cooper
Kaley Cuoco	...	Penny
Simon Helberg	...	Howard Wolowitz
Kunal Nayyar	...	Raj Koothrappali
Carol Ann Susi	...	Mrs. Wolowitz (voice)
Brian George	...	Dr. V. M. Koothrappali
Alice Amter	...	Mrs. Koothrappali

Storyline

Based on work that he has done, Sheldon has been chosen to go on a summer long expedition to the magnetic North Pole. Sheldon is in a conundrum. On the one hand, his work there could lead to a finding that would validate his primary project on string theory. On the other hand, the work is outside in a harsh environment. He tentatively agrees on the condition that Leonard, Howard and Raj accompany him as his support team. After discussing the extreme pros and the extreme cons, the three agree. The guys decide to use the restaurant's walk-in freezer to acclimatize themselves. This simulation is how Penny finds out about the trip. She seems a bit irked. Leonard also seems a bit irked that Penny doesn't seem more disappointed that he'll be gone for three months. After receiving a going away present from Penny, Leonard has second thoughts about going. He'll only know what to do after having a heart-to-heart with Penny.

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Plot Keywords:

north pole | arctic experiment | snowstorm | teleconferencing | season finale | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 May 2009 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Chuck Lorre Productions, Warner Bros. Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

21 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The title refers to their scientific trip to the far north to find monopoles and prove the validity of string theory.

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Goofs

The outside of the arctic shelter shows squared up, vertical walls while the inside view is of a WWII half-dome Quonset hut.

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Quotes

Leonard Hofstadter: Sheldon, what words are there that I can say right now that will end this conversation so I can go back to sleep?
Sheldon Cooper: Odd. President Seibert posed the exact same question.
Leonard Hofstadter: How was the matter resolved?
Sheldon Cooper: It wasn't. Mrs. Seibert sic her dogs on me.

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Crazy Credits

CHUCK LORRE PRODUCTIONS, #252 The following is an excerpt from my keynote speech at the 2009 SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY WRITERS OF AMERICA NEBULA AWARDS. When I was 12 years old, my teenage sister had a boyfriend whom my parents lovingly named "Cross-Eyed Larry." In my official capacity as the "obnoxious little brother," I took it upon myself to annoy and harass poor Larry at every opportunity. In fact, I specifically learned to cross my eyes so I could welcome him to our home with the appropriately juvenile comedic flair. (My mother constantly warned me that if I didn't stop doing that my eyes would stay crossed. In hindsight it appears as if she was lying or, at best, misinformed.) Anyway, my speech tonight is a long overdue attempt to make amends for my childish pestering and cruelty towards this polite young man whose only discernible character flaw was a poorly-aimed libido (no way he was getting over on my sister). But even more than an amends, I needed to find some way to thank him. And here's why: way back in 1964, Larry did something that would change my life forever. In order to get rid of me so he could stick his tongue down my sister's throat, Larry gave me a dog-eared copy of Ray Bradbury's The Martian Chronicles. His plan worked brilliantly. The book not only turned my prepubescent, Hardy Boys world upside down, it would begin my lifelong love affair with science fiction. Unfortunately, Cross-Eyed Larry was not so lucky. Ultimately rejected by my sister, he descended into a life of drugs and crime that ended tragically when he was murdered in Attica State Prison because another inmate thought he was looking at him funny.

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Connections

References Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

User Reviews

The Monopolar Expedition was a perfect ending for the second season of "The Big Bang Theory"

All right, I've finally seen the second season finale so I'll now be ready for tomorrow night's third season premiere of "The Big Bing Theory". It seems Sheldon has an e-mail from the university president telling him to go to his office at 8 the next morning. But he's so anxious he had to go to his house in the middle of the night since the university president has an unlisted telephone number. It turns out Sheldon's been sent to the North Pole for a research he's interested in. When Leonard tells Howard and Raj, they're all excited about three months without Sheldon. Sheldon, however, invites them all to be his support team. After discussion, they all agree though Howard has thoughts about a crossbow. When Sheldon asks Penny for use of The Cheesecake Factory freezer, Penny goes to Leonard to confirm what Sheldon told her about the North Pole. After she leaves, Leonard wonders if she'll miss him. What he doesn't know...What a hilarious episode to end the season with! And what poignancy with Penny's last scene as she wishes Leonard didn't go. With that said, I can't wait for tomorrow night's season premiere...