The Big Bang Theory Season 5

Season 5

In season five, Penny and Leonard's relationship is relaunched in full "beta test" mode, while Sheldon, Howard, and Raj discover the feminine mystique is something that cannot be easily graphed or calculated. As Sheldon makes begrudging amendments to his "Relationship Agreement" with his "friend-who-happens-to-be-a-girl" Amy Farrah Fowler, Raj contemplates an arranged marriage, and Howard is all-systems-go for both is NASA space launch and wedding to the spirited Bernadette.

Air date: 2011-09-22

Episodes: 24

Episodes

E1: The Skank Reflex Analysis

Penny is worried with how damaged her friendship with the guys will be in the aftermath of her sleeping with Raj while Sheldon becomes the leader of the paintball team.

Air date: 2011-09-22 • ★ 7.482

E2: The Infestation Hypothesis

A fight between Sheldon and Penny leaves Amy caught in the middle, while Leonard tries to spice up his long-distance relationship with Priya.

Air date: 2011-09-22 • ★ 7.667

E3: The Pulled Groin Extrapolation

Leonard and Amy get to know each other better, while Howard and Bernadette spend the weekend with Mrs. Wolowitz.

Air date: 2011-09-29 • ★ 7.352

E4: The Wiggly Finger Catalyst

Penny plays Matchmaker for Raj, which results in him finding a girl he is comfortable talking to.

Air date: 2011-10-06 • ★ 7.386

E5: The Russian Rocket Reaction

Sheldon and Leonard get invited to a party at Wil Wheaton's house, and Howard gets an out-of-this-world opportunity.

Air date: 2011-10-13 • ★ 7.622

E6: The Rhinitis Revelation

Sheldon's mother, Mary Cooper, comes to visit, but Sheldon is annoyed that she also spends time with the rest of the gang, instead of catering to his every demand.

Air date: 2011-10-20 • ★ 7.352

E7: The Good Guy Fluctuation

A cute comic book artist puts Leonard and Priya’s relationship to the test, while Sheldon tries to scare the guys for Halloween.

Air date: 2011-10-27 • ★ 7.521

E8: The Isolation Permutation

Amy becomes heartbroken when she discovers that Penny and Bernadette went wedding dress shopping without her.

Air date: 2011-11-03 • ★ 7.326

E9: The Ornithophobia Diffusion

Leonard and Penny try hanging out as friends on a 'non-date', but end up purposely ruining each others chances with perspective dates. Meanwhile, Sheldon enlists the help of Bernadette and Amy to overcome his fear of birds.

Air date: 2011-11-10 • ★ 7.457

E10: The Flaming Spittoon Acquisition

When Stuart asks Amy out on a date, Sheldon must confront his feelings and consider where his relationship with Amy is going.

Air date: 2011-11-17 • ★ 7.227

E11: The Speckerman Recurrence

Leonard must face his fears after being contacted by his high school tormentor.

Air date: 2011-12-08 • ★ 7.209

E12: The Shiny Trinket Maneuver

Sheldon gets in trouble with Amy when he isn't impressed by her recent accomplishment, and Howard must come to grips with Bernadette's dislike of children.

Air date: 2012-01-12 • ★ 7.078

E13: The Recombination Hypothesis

Leonard, who broke up with Priya, asks Penny out to a spur-of the-moment romantic dinner for two, and the duo contemplates on their relationship.

Air date: 2012-01-19 • ★ 7.523

E14: The Beta Test Initiation

Leonard and Penny deal with the idea of starting a relationship again and Raj finally finds a "woman" he can talk to without being drunk, in the form of Siri on his new phone. Meanwhile, Sheldon decides to start a YouTube series entitled "Sheldon Cooper presents Fun with Flags" with the help of Amy.

Air date: 2012-01-26 • ★ 7.6

E15: The Friendship Contraction

Sheldon's selfish demands force Leonard to reconsider their friendship. Meanwhile, Wolowitz tries to pick his astronaut nickname.

Air date: 2012-02-02 • ★ 7.116

E16: The Vacation Solution

When Sheldon is forced to take his vacation, he goes to work with Amy in her neurobiology lab.

Air date: 2012-02-09 • ★ 6.965

E17: The Rothman Disintegration

Sheldon battles Kripke for a coveted office at the university. Penny receives a very unusual gift from Amy.

Air date: 2012-02-16 • ★ 7.512

E18: The Werewolf Transformation

Sheldon becomes agitated when his regular barber is out sick. Astronaut training causes Howard to reconsider wanting to go into space. Penny beats Leonard in chess, the first time she plays.

Air date: 2012-02-23 • ★ 7.802

E19: The Weekend Vortex

Sheldon must choose between joining Amy at her aunt's birthday party or playing videogames all weekend with the guys.

Air date: 2012-03-08 • ★ 7.244

E20: The Transporter Malfunction

Penny buys Leonard and Sheldon “Star Trek” collectibles as a thank-you, leading Sheldon to be haunted by Mr. Spock. Meanwhile, Raj decides he has met the “Future Mrs. Koothrappali” after his parents set him up on a date.

Air date: 2012-03-29 • ★ 7.141

E21: The Hawking Excitation

When Wolowitz gets to work with Stephen Hawking, Sheldon is willing to do anything to meet his hero.

Air date: 2012-04-05 • ★ 7.777

E22: The Stag Convergence

After the guys throw Howard a bachelor party, Bernadette reconsiders marrying him after learning about his sexual history.

Air date: 2012-04-26 • ★ 7.063

E23: The Launch Acceleration

When NASA moves up Howard's mission, he must face his fears and Bernadette's dad, thus putting the wedding plans in jeopardy. Meanwhile, Leonard says something surprising to Penny in the bedroom.

Air date: 2012-05-03 • ★ 7.565

E24: The Countdown Reflection

The fifth season ends with Howard and Bernadette deciding to get married before his NASA mission, causing the gang to scurry into overdrive in an effort to stage the wedding. NASA astronaut Mike Massimino has a cameo as himself.

Air date: 2012-05-10 • ★ 7.88