The Countdown Reflection Season 5, Episode 24 -  Aired May 10, 2012

The Countdown Reflection

When Howard and Bernadette decide they want to get married before his space launch, the gang rushes to arrange an impromptu wedding.

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Guest Stars: Carol Ann Susi as Mrs. Wolowitz, Casey Sander as Mr. Rostenkowski, Mike Massimino as Himself, Pasha Lychnikoff as Dimitri

Writers: Bill Prady (Story), Eric Kaplan (Story), Steve Holland (Story), Chuck Lorre (Teleplay), Steven Molaro (Teleplay), Jim Reynolds (Teleplay)

Director: Mark Cendrowski

Viewers: 13.3 million Households Rating: 9.13/16 Adults 18-49 Rating: 4.2/15

Available on iTunes

Episode Lists

  • Howard & Bernadette: Key Episodes Howard & Bernadette: Key Episodes

    The key moments from Howard and Bernadette's relationship including their first date, Howard's proposal, their wedding, and the births of their two children.

Episode Notes

  • The title refers to Howard reflecting on the lead-up to his space mission.
  • Amy wears her tiara, which Sheldon bought her in The Shiny Trinket Maneuver, to City Hall and to Howard and Bernadette's wedding on the roof.

> Amy's Tiara

Amy wears her tiara when she is maid of honor at Howard and Bernadette's wedding.

Episode Quotes

Amy: Bernadette, I want to thank you for allowing me to be your maid of honor. I also want you to know that I will be happy to do it again if this marriage craps out.

Sheldon: Would you like some aloe vera? 'cause you just got burned.

Amy: Stop it! Today is not about you, it's about Howard and Bernadette, and me!

Sheldon: The need to find another human being to share one's life with has always puzzled me. Maybe because I'm so interesting all by myself. With that being said, may you find as much happiness with each other as I find on my own.

Mrs. Wolowitz: What kind of breakfast do you think they're going to give you in Russia?
Howard: They invented blintzes. I'll be fine.
Mrs. Wolowitz: They invented the lightbulb in New Jersey. It doesn't mean they hand them out to you when you go.

News Stories

Title Date Posted
Fifth Season Finale Ratings May 11, 2012

The fifth season finale of The Big Bang Theory ranked first in its time period and was the night's #1 program in adults 18-49 and adults 25-54.  Full story

CBS Announces Fifth Season Finale April 24, 2012

CBS has announced the fifth season finale of The Big Bang Theory will air Thursday, May 10, 2012. Casey Sander (Grace Under Fire) reprises his role as Mr. Rostenkowski, Bernadette's father, in the episode. NASA Astronaut Mike Massimino also makes another cameo appearance in the episode.  Full story

Recap

Howard and the other astronauts are in the space capsule getting ready to launch. Meanwhile, the rest of the gang have gathered in Sheldon and Leonard's apartment to watch Howard lift off. Back in the space capsule, Howard begins to tell the guys about how he married Bernadette just before the launch.

Howard gives Bernadette a necklace with a star on it, promising to take it to space with him so, when he returns, she will have a star that was actually in space. Bernadette tells Howard she does not want to wait until he's back to get married, so they should have a small ceremony with friends before he goes and have the big reception when he gets back. Later, Howard and Bernadette tell the rest of the gang of their plans to get married quickly. As maid of honor, Amy is disappointed at the change in their wedding plans.

The gang arrives at City Hall, Amy wearing her maid of honor dress, to see Howard and Bernadette get married. Sheldon makes things awkward for Leonard when he reveals how he proposed to Penny in bed. The registrar appears and tells them they only have time to marry three more couples today and the rest will have to come back on Monday. Howard tries to play the astronaut card but the registrar does not believe him. At the Cheesecake Factory, Howard suggests they drive to Vegas and get married, but Bernadette thinks it's tacky. Raj suggests they make it romantic by waiting until Sunday when the Google satellite will be over Pasadena, so Leonard thinks they should have the wedding on the roof of the apartment. Howard realizes they still need a minister, but Penny points out that anybody can go online and get ordained now.

In the apartment, the guys are getting ready for the wedding. Howard hands Leonard, Raj and Howard a groomsman present, a Fantastic Four comic. Later, the gang is on the roof ready for Howard and Bernadette's wedding. The five friends have all been ordained and will perform the ceremony. The guys each say a few words before Howard and Bernadette say their own vows. The guys pronounce Howard and Bernadette husband and wife.

In the president day, Howard is nervous as the space capsule gets ready to launch. The gang watches on in the apartment,. Penny admits a small part of her thought Howard was lying all this time. As the rocket launches, Bernadette grabs Raj's hand, Penny takes Leonard's hand, and Amy is surprised as Sheldon holds her hand.