The Maternal Capacitance Season 2, Episode 15 -  Aired February 9, 2009

The Maternal Capacitance

A visit from Leonard's mother, Dr. Beverly Hofstadter, brings misery for the gang, except for Sheldon who is enamored with Leonard's overly analytical mother. Leonard and Penny feel closer together with their shared discomfort around Leonard's mother, Howard and Raj are uneasy at Dr. Hofstadter's view of their friendship, while Sheldon and Beverly bond.

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Guest Stars: Christine Baranski as Beverly Hofstadter

Writers: Chuck Lorre (Story), Bill Prady (Story), Richard Rosenstock (Teleplay), Steven Molaro (Teleplay)

Director: Mark Cendrowski

Viewers: 12.7 million Households Rating: 7.8/11 Adults 18-49 Rating: 4.5/10

Available on iTunes

Episode Notes

  • Due to a Presidental Address this episode originally aired at 21:30 following Two and a Half Men.
  • The title references the built-up frustration evoked in Leonard by his mother's visit.
  • This episode marks the first appearance of Christine Baranski as Dr. Beverly Hofstadter.

Episode Quotes

Beverly Hofstadter: It might explain why the two of you have created an ersatz homosexual marriage to satisfy your need for intimacy.
Howard: Say what?

Leonard: She's only been here a day and a half, and I'm seriously considering alcoholism as a new career path.
Penny: Hey, I talked to her for five minutes yesterday, and I've been half bombed ever since.

Penny: I'm curious. What was Leonard like when he was little?
Beverly Hofstadter: I think you mean young. He's always been little.

Beverly Hofstadter: If you want to have intercourse with that girl, find out what kind of cologne her father wore.

Penny: You can't let her get into your head.
Leonard: It's too late for me, my head is her summer house.

Recap

When Leonard's mother arrives at the apartment building for a visit, she meets Penny in the lobby. Dr. Hofstadter and Penny engage in small talk while climbing the stairs to Leonard's apartment, but by the time they get there Penny is in tears after a psychological grilling from Beverly. Leonard is unsurprised by the effect his mother had on Penny. Although Leonard is annoyed by his mother's nature, Sheldon is fascinated by her analytical mind.

When Leonard takes his mother to work, she manages to offend Howard and Raj by suggesting they're in an ersatz homosexual relationship. After trying and failing to get his mother interested in his work, Leonard goes to Penny's apartment to drown his sorrows with her. Meanwhile, Sheldon and Leonard's mother bond over their shared mental brilliance as they return from the hospital with a scan of Sheldon's brain.

While Leonard and Penny start kissing, Sheldon and Dr. Hofstadter have fun of their own with a karaoke game. After Leonard and Penny had progressed to the bedroom, Leonard says the wrong thing and causes Penny to throw him out.

The next day, as Beverly gets ready to leave, Leonard tries to apologize to Penny, who understands and tells him never to speak of it again. As she leaves the apartment, Dr. Hofstadter once again delves into Penny's mind and suggests she travel to New Jersey to have a brain scan.