The Big Bang Theory: Season 5

2011 · 24 episodes · ★ 7.4

What Season 5 of The Big Bang Theory

Season 5 kicks off with a change of direction for the group: Penny sleeps with Raj, a development that weighs on many of the episodes. Howard and Bernadette's wedding is approaching, and the women of the group begin to bond with each other. Leonard and Penny try to keep their relationship going, while Sheldon, unable to handle change, takes tentative steps with Amy. Howard prepares for a space mission that takes him away from his routine. All of them, socially awkward, will have to deal with their own barriers when it comes to relating to others.

24episodes

Sep 22, 2011premiered

May 10, 2012latest episode

8.2 hrtotal runtime

Season 5 Episodes

5x01 The Skank Reflex Analysis
Sep 22, 2011 · 21 min · ★ 7.6
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.
Directing: Mark Cendrowski · Writing: Steven Molaro, Bill Prady, Chuck Lorre · Starring: Stacey Travis, Christine Baranski
5x02 The Infestation Hypothesis
Sep 22, 2011 · 20 min · ★ 7.7
A fight between Sheldon and Penny leaves Amy caught in the middle, while Leonard tries to spice up his long-distance relationship with Priya.
Directing: Mark Cendrowski · Writing: Jim Reynolds, Steve Holland, Chuck Lorre · Starring: Alice Amter, Aarti Mann, Brian George
5x03 The Pulled Groin Extrapolation
Sep 29, 2011 · 20 min · ★ 7.3
Leonard and Amy get to know each other better, while Howard and Bernadette spend the weekend with Mrs. Wolowitz.
Directing: Mark Cendrowski · Writing: Steven Molaro, Bill Prady, David Goetsch · Starring: Carol Ann Susi
5x04 The Wiggly Finger Catalyst
Oct 6, 2011 · 20 min · ★ 7.4
Penny plays Matchmaker for Raj, which results in him finding a girl he is comfortable talking to.
Directing: Mark Cendrowski · Writing: Steven Molaro, Bill Prady, Steve Holland · Starring: Alice Amter, Brian George, Katie Leclerc
5x05 The Russian Rocket Reaction
Oct 13, 2011 · 21 min · ★ 7.7
Sheldon and Leonard get invited to a party at Wil Wheaton's house, and Howard gets an out-of-this-world opportunity.
Directing: Mark Cendrowski · Writing: Chuck Lorre, Maria Ferrari, Eric Kaplan · Starring: Kevin Sussman, Carol Ann Susi, Wil Wheaton, Brent Spiner
5x06 The Rhinitis Revelation
Oct 20, 2011 · 21 min · ★ 7.4
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.
Directing: Howard Murray · Writing: Steven Molaro, Bill Prady, Jim Reynolds · Starring: Laurie Metcalf
5x07 The Good Guy Fluctuation
Oct 27, 2011 · 20 min · ★ 7.6
A cute comic book artist puts Leonard and Priya’s relationship to the test, while Sheldon tries to scare the guys for Halloween.
Directing: Mark Cendrowski · Writing: Steven Molaro, Bill Prady, Steve Holland · Starring: Kevin Sussman, Aarti Mann, Courtney Ford
5x08 The Isolation Permutation
Nov 3, 2011 · 21 min · ★ 7.2
Amy becomes heartbroken when she discovers that Penny and Bernadette went wedding dress shopping without her.
Directing: Mark Cendrowski · Writers: Steven Molaro, Bill Prady, Steve Holland
5x09 The Ornithophobia Diffusion
Nov 10, 2011 · 21 min · ★ 7.4
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.
Directing: Mark Cendrowski · Writing: Steven Molaro, Bill Prady, Eric Kaplan · Starring: Blake Berris, Ashley Austin Morris
5x10 The Flaming Spittoon Acquisition
Nov 17, 2011 · 21 min · ★ 7.2
When Stuart asks Amy out on a date, Sheldon must confront his feelings and consider where his relationship with Amy is going.
Directing: Mark Cendrowski · Writing: Bill Prady, Jim Reynolds, Steve Holland · Starring: Kevin Sussman, Josh Brener
5x11 The Speckerman Recurrence Mid-Season Finale
Dec 8, 2011 · 20 min · ★ 7.2
Leonard must face his fears after being contacted by his high school tormentor.
Directing: Anthony Rich · Writing: Steven Molaro, Eric Kaplan, Anthony Del Broccolo · Starring: Lance Barber
5x12 The Shiny Trinket Maneuver
Jan 12, 2012 · 21 min · ★ 7.1
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.
Directing: Mark Cendrowski · Writing: Steven Molaro, Bill Prady, Jim Reynolds · Starring: Carol Ann Susi, Jonathan Schmock, Jadon Sand, Dusan Brown
5x13 The Recombination Hypothesis
Jan 19, 2012 · 21 min · ★ 7.6
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.
Directing: Mark Cendrowski · Writing: Steven Molaro, Bill Prady · Starring: Jim Turner
5x14 The Beta Test Initiation
Jan 26, 2012 · 20 min · ★ 7.6
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.
Directing: Mark Cendrowski · Writing: Bill Prady, David Goetsch, Maria Ferrari · Starring: John Ross Bowie, Becky O'Donohue, Kevin Brief
5x15 The Friendship Contraction
Feb 2, 2012 · 20 min · ★ 7.2
Sheldon's selfish demands force Leonard to reconsider their friendship. Meanwhile, Wolowitz tries to pick his astronaut nickname.
Directing: Mark Cendrowski · Writing: Steven Molaro, Bill Prady, Steve Holland · Starring: Kevin Sussman, Carol Ann Susi, Michael J. Massimino
5x16 The Vacation Solution
Feb 9, 2012 · 21 min · ★ 7.1
When Sheldon is forced to take his vacation, he goes to work with Amy in her neurobiology lab.
Directing: Mark Cendrowski · Writing: Steven Molaro, Bill Prady, Maria Ferrari · Starring: Nick Clifford, Joshua Malina
5x17 The Rothman Disintegration
Feb 16, 2012 · 21 min · ★ 7.5
Sheldon battles Kripke for a coveted office at the university. Penny receives a very unusual gift from Amy.
Directing: Mark Cendrowski · Writing: Steven Molaro, Jim Reynolds, Eric Kaplan · Starring: John Ross Bowie, Lynn Philip Seibel, Joshua Malina
5x18 The Werewolf Transformation
Feb 23, 2012 · 21 min · ★ 7.8
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.
Directing: Mark Cendrowski · Writing: Steven Molaro, Bill Prady, Jim Reynolds · Starring: Peter Onorati, Vernee Watson, Carol Ann Susi
5x19 The Weekend Vortex
Mar 8, 2012 · 20 min · ★ 7.3
Sheldon must choose between joining Amy at her aunt's birthday party or playing videogames all weekend with the guys.
Directing: Mark Cendrowski · Writing: Steven Molaro, Steve Holland, Eric Kaplan · Starring: Kevin Sussman, Carol Ann Susi
5x20 The Transporter Malfunction
Mar 29, 2012 · 21 min · ★ 7.2
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.
Directing: Mark Cendrowski · Writing: Steven Molaro, Jim Reynolds, Steve Holland · Starring: Alice Amter, Brian George, Chriselle Almeida, Leonard Nimoy
5x21 The Hawking Excitation
Apr 5, 2012 · 19 min · ★ 7.8
When Wolowitz gets to work with Stephen Hawking, Sheldon is willing to do anything to meet his hero.
Directing: Mark Cendrowski · Writers: Chuck Lorre, Maria Ferrari, Eric Kaplan · Starring: Carol Ann Susi, Stephen Hawking
5x22 The Stag Convergence
Apr 26, 2012 · 21 min · ★ 7.2
After the guys throw Howard a bachelor party, Bernadette reconsiders marrying him after learning about his sexual history.
Directing: Peter Chakos · Writing: Steven Molaro, Jim Reynolds, Chuck Lorre · Starring: Kevin Sussman, John Ross Bowie, Wil Wheaton
5x23 The Launch Acceleration
May 3, 2012 · 21 min · ★ 7.6
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.
Directing: Mark Cendrowski · Writing: Bill Prady, Steve Holland, Maria Ferrari · Starring: Casey Sander, Robert Clotworthy, Karl T. Wright
5x24 The Countdown Reflection Season Finale
May 10, 2012 · 20 min · ★ 7.9
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.
Directing: Mark Cendrowski · Writing: Steven Molaro, Jim Reynolds, Chuck Lorre · Starring: Carol Ann Susi, Casey Sander, Michael J. Massimino, Amy Tolsky