‘The Big Bang Theory’
Sheldon (Jim Parsons), Leonard (Johnny Galecki) and Howard (Simon Helberg) can spend more time with Raj (Kunal Nayyar) now that their project with the Air Force has been pushed back. CBS

After a disastrous wine tasting during the most recent episode of CBS’ “The Big Bang Theory,” the gang will get back to basics with something pretty nerdy in Season 9, episode 23. When the boys want to see a movie screening, it takes some clever scheduling to ensure that the girls are occupied in “The Line Substitution Solution.”

According to the episode’s official plot synopsis from CBS, Sheldon (Jim Parsons) gets wind of a movie screening that he wants to go to, but needs to figure out a way to make sure Amy (Mayim Bialik) doesn’t feel stood up by his absence. To help, he enlists the help of Stuart (Kevin Sussman), who he pays to spend time with Amy while he, Raj (Kunal Nayyar), Howard (Simon Helberg) and Leonard (Johnny Galecki) go wait in line for the unknown movie. Sadly, it’s unclear how Amy will react to being pawned off on Stuart while her boyfriend hangs out with his friends, but it is certainly an unlikely pairing for the show.

After a slew of Season 9 episodes that dealt with the group and their various romantic entanglements, episode 23 will see them focused on their fandom for the first time in a while. However, that doesn’t mean that the relationship dynamics of the show will take a back seat. Quite the contrary as a surprise visit from Leonard’s mother, Dr. Beverly Hofstadter (Christine Baranski), forces Penny (Kaley Cuoco) into an uncomfortable situation.

The Big Bang Theory
“The Big Bang Theory” Season 9, episode 23 will see Penny (Kaley Cuoco, center) desperately try to win over her mother-in-law Beverly (Christine Baranski) with the help of her friend Bernadette (Melissa Rauch). CBS

The above photo shows the two women at the apartment, seemingly trying hard to get to know each other. Since getting married to Leonard, Penny hasn’t really had to spend a solid amount of alone time with his mother. The last fans saw her was earlier in Season 9 when she attended Sheldon’s birthday party. That was when the Las Vegas wedding between the couple was revealed to her, but she seemed relatively sanguine about the whole thing.

Having no great love for anyone but Sheldon, Leonard’s mom will reportedly be the subject of Penny’s struggle in episode 23 as she tries desperately to make a connection with her mother-in-law.

“The Big Bang Theory” airs Thursdays on CBS at 8 p.m. EDT. Will you be tuning into “The Line Substitution Solution”?

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