Tonight there is tension between Wolowitz and Sheldon, and Penny’s acting career may be taking off. Hopefully everyone can find a way to just get along.

***Spoilers Below***

Raj (Kunal Nayyar), Wolowitz (Simon Helberg), Sheldon (Jim Parsons) and Leonard (Johnny Galecki) – The Big Bang Theory – Season 7, Episode 17
Photo credit: Michael Yarish/Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

During dinner, Penny informs everyone that she was offered a part in the sequel to the awful movie she was once a part of.  This time they want her to play a half woman-half gorilla character, which would be a new low. Of course she turns it down, but Leonard actually thinks she should take any paying work, and Penny takes this as a direct insult to her “career.”  Ouch. To make things more awkward, Sheldon starts ripping on Wolowitz as usual, and Bernadette confronts Sheldon about it. Dinner is turning out to be quite tension filled.

Leonard goes on to stick his foot in his mouth even further by stating he is surprised Penny would rather “do nothing” than work. Yowza, I’m with Amy…….time to go.  As Leonard and Penny leave to continue their quarrel, Sheldon lets Bernadette know why he always makes fun of Wolowitz. It all started ten years ago, when Howard told Sheldon he looked like a cross between Pee Wee Herman and C-3po.  Oh man, that’s rich. We all know Sheldon does not forget anything…. ever.  Let’s just ponder this, it is hilarious….oh poor Sheldon. Still funny.

Wolowitz (Simon Helberg), Bernadette (Melissa Rauch), Amy (Mayim Bialik) and Sheldon (Jim Parsons) – The Big Bang Theory – Season 7 Episode 17
Photo credit: Michael Yarish/Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

He goes on to name all the things Wolowitz has done to prank him and make him look bad.  The list is truly hilarious, and we are starting to see the long “rivalry” they have had.  Back at work, Wolowitz tries to wave the white flag….and asks Sheldon to be better friends. I don’t think Sheldon can ever stop, but Wolowitz invites Sheldon to go to Houston. Hmmm, this should be fun.  Not only that, but Raj is totally jealous. LOL

Howard is already fed up with Sheldon, and the plane has not even landed. Will some turbulence help them both see they were being silly? The answer is YES, aww. When the real threat of death is a factor, Sheldon and Wolowitz have a break through. How sweet! Sheldon even references Firefly (Awesome), and compares it to the feeling he would have if they were not friends anymore. This is pretty much as sappy as it gets on Big Bang.

Raj (Kunal Nayyar) and Amy (Mayim Bialik) – The Big Bang Theory – Season 7, Episode 17 The Friendship Turbulence
Photo credit: Michael Yarish/Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

Meanwhile Raj is asking Amy for help with dating…asking Amy, that’s right. He is sad and desperate, it’s true, but Amy sort of has a relationship; maybe she can help him. Sadly, even with Amy helping Raj with online dating, he has no luck. But, Amy got a coffee date out of it. Go figure… Amy needs friends too, so good for her. Unfortunately Raj crashes Amy’s date and not only makes himself look worse than ever, but Amy just lost a potential new friend. Will that boy ever learn?

It’s nice to see Sheldon and Wolowitz work things out, it just takes a near death experience for Sheldon Cooper to pay someone a real compliment. And there was one more sweet surprise. Penny’s car decides to die at a very bad time for her. She is low on money, and jobless. So what does Leonard do??? He surprises her with a new car. He is one special guy, and now Penny can keep going on auditions. Can you feel the love people?

The Big Bang Theory airs on CBS on Thursdays at 8/7c. Full episodes are also available at CBS.com and On Demand (check your cable listings) as well as on iTunes, Amazon, Hulu and Google Play.