The Middle-Earth Paradigm Season 1, Episode 6 -  Aired October 29, 2007

The Middle-Earth Paradigm

The whole gang attends Penny's Halloween party, where Leonard's feelings for Penny come to the fore after her ex-boyfriend Kurt shows up. Leonard's attempts to impress Penny by standing up to Kurt lead to humiliation.

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Guest Stars: Erin Allin O'Reilly as Cheryl, Brian Patrick Wade as Kurt, Rachel Cannon as Patty, Kimberly Kevon Williams as Vicki, Cynthia Holloway as Roberta

Writers: Dave Goetsch (Story), David Litt (Teleplay), Robert Cohen (Teleplay)

Director: Mark Cendrowski

Viewers: 8.4 million Households Rating: 5.3/8 Adults 18-49 Rating: 3.4/9

Available on iTunes

Episode Lists

  • Leonard & Penny: Key Episodes Leonard & Penny: Key Episodes

    The key moments in Leonard and Penny's relationship including the first time they saw each other across the hall, their first kiss, their first date, breaking up and getting back together, the first time Penny says "I love you", a couple of proposals, their engagement, two wedding ceremonies, and finally Penny getting pregnant.

Episode Notes

  • 'Middle Earth' is a reference to the Lord of the Rings universe as Leonard dressed up as Frodo Baggins on Halloween.
  • The Halloween costumes were: Sheldon as the doppler effect, Leonard as Frodo Baggins from Lord of the Rings, Penny as a cat, Howard as Robin Hood (not to be confused as Peter Pan), Raj as Thor - the Norse God of Thunder.
  • Penny kisses Leonard for the first time in this episode.
  • During Penny's Halloween party, people can be seen through the window dancing on a balcony outside her apartment. This balcony is never featured again.

> Sheldon's Beverage Protocols

When Leonard is upset after being embarrassed at Penny's Halloween party by her hulking ex-boyfriend Kurt, Sheldon brings Leonard a hot beverage.

"Leonard: What's that?
Sheldon: Tea. When people are upset the cultural convention is to bring them hot beverages. "

Episode Quotes

Leonard: Homo habilis discovering his opposable thumbs says what?
Kurt: What?

Leonard: I call Frodo!
Sheldon, Raj, and Howard: Damn!

Leonard: We all have other costumes, we can change.
Raj: Or we could walk right behind each other all night. It'll look like one person going really fast.

Sheldon: Given the reaction to my costume, this party is a scathing indictment of the American educational system.
Kurt: You're a zebra, right?
Sheldon: (to Leonard) Yet another child left behind.

Sheldon: I don't care if anybody gets it. I'm going as the Doppler effect. If I have to, I can demonstrate. NYEEEOOOOM

Recap

When the guys return home following a dismal performance at paintball, Penny invites them to her Halloween party. The gang is excited to go to a costume party, though they're disappointed when they all dress up as the Flash. The guys agree to change their costumes and Leonard chooses Frodo, who was everybody's second choice.

The gang arrives at Penny's apartment promptly on time, unaware that people don't usually turn up right on time. When the party gets going, the guys are just sitting on Penny's couch. Howard tries to hit on one of Penny's friends, while Leonard is afraid to talk to anybody. Sheldon acts as Leonard's wingman when he approaches one of Penny's friends.

Later that evening, Penny's ex-boyfriend Kurt turns up at the party. In a bid to impress Penny, Leonard tries to show up Kurt. When Kurt realizes that Leonard's calling him less evolved, he forcibly picks Leonard up and intimidates him. Leonard and Sheldon quickly leave the party.

Feeling bad about what happened to Leonard, Penny comes by his apartment to apologize for Kurt's behavior. When Penny is upset and emotional about letting Kurt back in her life, she kisses Leonard. When he realizes she is drunk and doesn't want to take advantage of her, Leonard stops Penny's advances. Penny wonders why all guys couldn't be like Leonard and kisses him again, in full view of Kurt, as she leaves Leonard's apartment.