The Scavenger Vortex Season 7, Episode 3 -  Aired October 3, 2013

The Scavenger Vortex

When Raj devises a scavenger hunt for the gang, they pair off in uncommon groupings, but the fierce competition causes friction among the friends.

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Guest Stars: Kevin Sussman as Stuart

Writers: Dave Goetsch (Story), Eric Kaplan (Story), Steve Holland (Story), Steven Molaro (Teleplay), Jim Reynolds (Teleplay), Maria Ferrari (Teleplay)

Director: Mark Cendrowski

Viewers: 18.22 million Households Rating: 11.4/19 Adults 18-49 Rating: 5.2/17

Available on iTunes

Episode Notes

  • The title refers to the scavenger hunt Raj devises for the gang.

> Sheldon's Spot

Sheldon's Spot was the answer to the final puzzle - a bag of dirty laundry which featured one of Sheldon's t-shirts with a spot on it - in the scavenger hunt Raj set up for the gang.

Episode Quotes

Penny: [to Raj] Run to India.

Amy: As my mom used to say, "When you're doing a puzzle, it's like you've got a thousand friends." She was full of fun lies like that.

Sheldon: My brain is better than everybody's!

Bernadette: (Shouting at another driver) Your kid might be a honor student but you're a moron!

Sheldon: I'm not a child. I know the word 'ninny.'

News Stories

Title Date Posted
The Big Bang Theory sees its biggest Live+3 lift October 8, 2013

The Big Bang Theory posted its largest gains in viewers and adults 25-54 in the Live + 3 day ratings yet. These ratings add viewers who watched the show on DVR within 3 days of its broadcast to the ratings of the show's live broadcast.  Full story

7.03 'The Scavenger Vortex' Ratings October 4, 2013

Yesterday's episode of The Big Bang Theory finished first in its time slot to win the night and rank as the week's top performer in the key adults 18-49 demo.  Full story

7.03 'The Scavenger Vortex' Promo September 28, 2013

The promo for next week's episode of The Big Bang Theory, 7.03 "The Scavenger Vortex", has been uploaded to the show's official YouTube channel. Check out the video below or head over to YouTube to watch.  Full story

7.03 'The Scavenger Vortex' Press Release September 19, 2013

CBS has issued the press release for the third episode of The Big Bang Theory's upcoming seventh season, which will air Thursday, October 3.  Full story

Recap

At the Cheesecake Factory, Raj chastises his friends for missing his murder mystery dinner party. Raj tells them he has something better planned, a scavenger hunt. The gang is excited and agrees to take part, though Sheldon wonders whether they're just tricking Koothrappali again. Later, in the apartment, Raj introduces the scavenger hunt and tells the guys to split into teams of two. The guys were going to do it as couples, but Leonard suggests they change things up - signalling he doesn't want Penny on his team. After picking names from a hat, the teams are Sheldon and Penny, Howard and Amy, and Leonard and Bernadette.

The teams are set a puzzle, literally, and work to put it together. Sheldon dithers over the puzzle, refusing to listen to Penny who tells him it's the comic book store. Bernadette snappily hurries Leonard along. As they drive to the comic book store, Leonard asks Bernadette if she thinks Penny's mad at him. Howard and Amy realize they've never really been alone together. Amy supposes it's because they don't have much in common, but they are soon bonding over a shared love of Neil Diamond. At the comic book store, Raj congratulates Amy and Howard on being the first time to arrive. After being set a riddle, the teams rush out of the comic book store.

In a geology lab at the university, Sheldon and Penny search for the next clue. Penny solves the clue, "leave no stone unturned", realizing it referred to a Rolling Stones poster. Sheldon reads the co-ordinates hidden behind the poster and they rush out. Meanwhile, Howard and Bernadette sing Neil Diamond as they drive to their next clue. As Bernadette speedily drives Leonard's car to their next riddle, Leonard worries that Penny isn't responding to his texts. Leonard considers quitting but Bernadette says this would make him seem like something Penny already thinks he is - a name that usually applies to a lady part or a cat.

Sheldon is impressed when the co-ordinates lead him and Penny to a bowling alley. Meanwhile, Howard and Amy are still singing Neil Diamond when they arrive at the geology lab. Later, Sheldon and Penny are the first ones to arrive in the laundry room, where they find three bags of dirty laundry. When Sheldon points out there's one of his shirts in the laundry bag, featuring a spot on it, Penny figures out it refers to Sheldon's spot on the couch. After the teams rush up the stairs, they're stumped not to the find the winning coin in Sheldon's spot.

Raj tells the guys to check their pocket. He slipped a coin in each of their pockets earlier today, as they're all winners when they're having fun together. Leonard and Bernadette are unimpressed and Penny threatens Raj, leading him to run out of the apartment. Sheldon, however, is happy to find the winning coin in his pocket. Later, Howard and Bernadette sing Neil Diamond on karaoke night.