The Pirate Solution Season 3, Episode 4 -  Aired October 12, 2009

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When Raj faces the threat of deportation if he doesn't find a job, he must turn to Sheldon for help, but can he handle working for his friend? Meanwhile, Leonard and Penny are enjoying life as a couple, except for their third wheel - Howard.

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Guest Stars: Elizabeth Bogush as Dr. Catherine Millstone, Oliver Muirhead as Professor Laughlin, Elena Campbell-Martinez as Cleaning Lady

Writers: Steve Holland

Director: Mark Cendrowski

Viewers: 13 million Households Rating: 8/12 Adults 18-49 Rating: 5/12

Available on iTunes

Episode Notes

  • The title references one of Sheldon's solution to Raj's problem, that he become a pirate and wander the high seas.

> Bazinga

Sheldon says Bazinga after another one of his classic pranks when he tricks Raj into believing he would to interview for a job working with Sheldon.

> Sheldon's Knock

Sheldon uses his knock when he goes to Raj's apartment to say Raj was right and to ask him to come back to working for him.

Episode Quotes

Leonard: I've always been a little confused about this. Why don't Hindus eat beef?
Raj: We believe cows are gods.
Sheldon: Not technically. In Hinduism, cattle are thought to be like God.
Raj: Do not tell me about my own culture, Sheldon! In the mood I'm in, I'll take you out, I swear to cow!

Sheldon: There's a fine line between wrong and visionary. Unfortunately, you have to be a visionary to see it.

Rajesh: Okay, please don't take this the wrong way, but I'd rather swim buck naked across the Ganges with a paper cut on my nipple and die a slow agonizing death from a viral infection, than work with you.

Raj: I'm going to be deported. Sent home in disgrace. Exposed to the sardonic barbs of my cousin Sanjay or, as you may know him, Dave from AT&T customer service.

Sheldon: Yes, since their relationship became carnal, Penny has updated his designated term of endearment, distinguishing him from those she calls 'sweetie,' usually as an attempt to soften a thinly-veiled insult.
Penny: You're boring people, sweetie.
Sheldon: Although sometimes, she omits the veil entirely.

Recap

As the guys celebrate Columbus Day by watching movies directed by Chris Columbus, Penny brings up their Thanksgiving plans. Raj gets emotional and runs away, leaving the gang wondering what's wrong with him. After Penny leaves the apartment, Raj explains that he's about to be deported because he's going to lose his job. Sheldon suggests Raj should become a pirate, though Penny - who was listening from the other side of the door - says that Raj should just get another job.

When Howard tells Raj about a position that's opened up with Professor Laughlin at the university, Raj calls him to set a date for an interview. Although Raj's interview starts off well, he is forced to turn to alcohol when an attractive female colleague arrives. Raj acts inappropriately while under the influence and does not get the job. Back at the apartment, Sheldon offers Raj the opportunity to work for him, which Raj flatly rejects. Soon, Raj turns up at Sheldon's office to say he's changed his mind and would be happy to work with Sheldon, who corrects him that it would be working for him.

With Raj now spending much of his time working for Sheldon, Howard is left without his best friend. Leonard and Penny are enjoying some private time while watching a movie until Howard shows up. Leonard and Penny awake to Howard in the kitchen making breakfast. They try to explain to him they would like some alone time, but in the end they let him stay.

Sheldon and Raj's work gets off to a rocky start when Sheldon won't let Raj alter his equations. After Raj has had enough, he leaves the office. Later, Sheldon turns up at Raj's to tell him that he was correct, though he won't say he was wrong. Sheldon invites Raj to come back and work for him, though he concedes that work for him could mean work with him in this context. Raj and Sheldon agree to continue working together and Raj's first job is to drive Sheldon home.