This episode is not one of the best but Sheldon again proves he is incapable of seeing things from other peoples point of view. His reaction to Leonard's mistake is Sheldon at his worst. No ones feelings but his own are taken into consideration. Even if it literally takes years to make his point. Amy has a first hand view of his ruthlessness and is appalled by the lengths he will go to make Leonard pay for a very small infraction. One that should have been corrected almost immediately it was made. Meanwhile, Penny goes to Raj's defence but ends up making the situation worse for the love life of the only single member of the gang. His once girlfriend Lucy makes the mistake of going to The Cheesecake Factory for lunch only to be recognised by Amy. Penny pounces and gives her a piece of her mind, inadvertently messing with Raj's hopes of a reunion. The relationship between the girls is becoming one of the two smart girls ganging up against the not so savvy Penny.
11 Reviews
The movie return
funfxylady8 December 2013
Sheldon and Leonard get into the itchy sweater simulation because Leonard runs across an old DVD that was to be returned seven years ago and is rented out in Sheldon's name. Knowing how things bother Sheldon, Leonard offers to return the movie but Sheldon must promise not to freak out. As a comparison Sheldon uses "a brain itch that he can't scratch" to something bothering him. Sheldon suggests that Leonard wear an old itchy sweater until the movie is returned to get an idea of how this feels as a simulation.
Penny is at the restaurant where Bernadette and Amy are anxiously awaiting a drink when they all see Raj's ex girlfriend Lucy seated at a table. Penny decides she really wants to know why Lucy broke up with Raj the way she did. The method of questioning is hilarious and Penny doesn't let Lucy off easy.
Leonard goes crazy and jumps through every hoop he can to return the video all the while wearing the sweater. Incredibly, Sheldon remains completely calm. The ending is even more hilarious then I could ever imagine and gives the watcher a new perspective on Sheldon.
This episode was very funny and well written. Just when I thought I couldn't laugh any harder I did.
Penny is at the restaurant where Bernadette and Amy are anxiously awaiting a drink when they all see Raj's ex girlfriend Lucy seated at a table. Penny decides she really wants to know why Lucy broke up with Raj the way she did. The method of questioning is hilarious and Penny doesn't let Lucy off easy.
Leonard goes crazy and jumps through every hoop he can to return the video all the while wearing the sweater. Incredibly, Sheldon remains completely calm. The ending is even more hilarious then I could ever imagine and gives the watcher a new perspective on Sheldon.
This episode was very funny and well written. Just when I thought I couldn't laugh any harder I did.
Truthful epileptic
asicengineer20 February 2021
Warning: Spoilers
As a person who can't lie and have been thrown away from workplaces because of me not being able to socialize with people in corporates, I can easily sympathize and empathize with Sheldon's character. I wish some of my ex-colleagues would see this episode to realize how i'm
The Itchy Brain Simulation
studioAT24 May 2020
This show has taken a long time to grow on me, but episodes like this only add to my admiration.
I thought this was very funny (the Sheldon story perhaps more than the other, but isn't that always the case?), with a good, unique storyline.
There's also a nice level of pathos with the Raj character's loneliness, which is refreshing to see too.
Good stuff.
I thought this was very funny (the Sheldon story perhaps more than the other, but isn't that always the case?), with a good, unique storyline.
There's also a nice level of pathos with the Raj character's loneliness, which is refreshing to see too.
Good stuff.
Lucy briefly returns in "The Itchy Brain Simulation" ep of "The Big Bang Theory"
tavm20 November 2013
In this ep of "The Big Bang Theory": Leonard discovers a DVD in his junk box he had rented with Sheldon's card and had forgotten to return all those years ago with Sheldon and Penny as witnesses. Sheldon does not get upset and let's Lenny find a way to resolve this by letting him wear a gift sweater given to him by a relative that he also put in his junk box since the video store in question is now closed! Meanwhile, Penny-at her workplace with Amy and Bernadette-discovers Lucy, Raj's ex, as a waiting customer and confronts her about the way she broke up with him, which was by e-mail. I'll stop there and just say this was another hilarious ep of this show and a great way to bring back someone who livened many an ep during the last season. And since Raj can now talk to women in public places without aid of drink, he's more funny than ever! Oh, and about Sheldon here, wow, I didn't think you had it in you to be so crafty! So, yeah, that's a recommendation for "The Itchy Brain Simulation".
One of the worst episodes of Season 7
magicastor9 October 2021
Hair Shirt
Hitchcoc29 October 2021
As I watched this, I couldn't get past the cruelty on Sheldon's part. He has a truly sadistic streak and he really exposes it here. I realize they play everything for laughs, but how does the punishment fit the crime? The Penn/Raj thing didn't go anywhere. Raj is so incredibly pathetic that it's become hard to root for him.
Not ok
cor-8543921 July 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This episode is memorable for all the wrong reasons. Sheldon's behavior in this episode is truly awful. Normally Sheldon's quirks and idiosyncrasies are endearing, or recognizable as beyond his control. In this case, his actions are malicious. He never receives any punishment or seems to understand the pain he's causing. I fully expected Leonard to cut off their friendship and move out. Even if Sheldon believed that Leonard was overreacting, it would open up conversation about the consequences of his actions. This is my least favorite episode of the season, and possibly the entire series. Poorly done.
Sheldon's Cruelty
coreycitn634 November 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Throughout The Big Bang. Theory Leonard has been treated like dirt by Sheldon and his evil uncaring mother. Only Penny and the others show him compassion. In this episode Sheldon's behavior towards Leonard goes to a sadistic level of cruelty and vindictiveness'. Here after years of deciding on what prize Sheldon wants he comes to a decision and in typical Sheldon fashion he demands Leonard to drop everything and take him to claim his prize. I believe that Leonard loses the ticket and Sheldon is so annoyed he demands Leonard to wear an itchy sweater for him to experience what he goes through and Leonard as usual complys. If I was Leonard I would tell Sheldon to effed off. If anyone who deserves the punishment is Sheldon to experience what Leonard's life is like from being insulted constantly by him and to feel of having a mother who is uncaring and showing no love to him. This is once again of Chuck Lorre of being cruel to the characters he created.
Brilliant view into invisible disability
kaltaylor77723 October 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The reviews here talking about Sheldon's 'cruelty' and 'evil' side are about as revealing as the actual episode.
Neurotypicals often don't realise how difficult and all-consuming an invisible disability can be. While Sheldons neurodiversity hasn't been specified or confirmed, it's clear there's something there. And it's even clearer that he struggles with it every day on some level.
The cruelest part of this episode is when you acknowledge that Leonard can take off the sweater, in about a week, the tenderness and rash will fade and he can go on with his life. But Sheldon can't escape his own mind.
Neurotypicals often don't realise how difficult and all-consuming an invisible disability can be. While Sheldons neurodiversity hasn't been specified or confirmed, it's clear there's something there. And it's even clearer that he struggles with it every day on some level.
The cruelest part of this episode is when you acknowledge that Leonard can take off the sweater, in about a week, the tenderness and rash will fade and he can go on with his life. But Sheldon can't escape his own mind.
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