The Cooper/Kripke Inversion Season 6, Episode 14 -  Aired January 31, 2013

The Cooper/Kripke Inversion

When Sheldon is forced to work with Barry Kripke, he is surprised to find his work is not at the same level as Barry's. Meanwhile, Howard and Raj spend $1,000 on action figures that of themselves, landing Howard in trouble with Bernadette.

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Guest Stars: John Ross Bowie as Barry Kripke

Writers: Chuck Lorre (Story), Eric Kaplan (Story), Anthony Del Broccolo (Story), Steven Molaro (Teleplay), Jim Reynolds (Teleplay), Steve Holland (Teleplay)

Director: Mark Cendrowski

Viewers: 17.76 million Households Rating: 11.4/18 Adults 18-49 Rating: 5.4/16

Available on iTunes

Episode Notes

  • The title refers to Sheldon finding that Kripke's work was better than his - the inverse of what he would usually assume.

> Sheldon's Beverage Protocols

When Leonard and Penny return to the apartment to find Sheldon upset over being made to work with Barry Kripke, Leonard tries to make Sheldon the appropriate hot beverage to cheer him up.

"Penny: You doing okay, sweetie?
Sheldon: There is ominous music playing, and there is an afghan over my head. I don't know where you're from, but where I'm from, that means I'm not doing okay.
Leonard: Want me to make you some tea?
Sheldon: Tea is for when I'm upset. I'm not upset. The university's forcing me to work with Kripke. I'm outraged.
Leonard: So, cocoa?
Sheldon: Yes, cocoa. Do you have any idea what it’s like to be paired with someone who’s so incredibly annoying?
Leonard: Oh, teacher! Me! Me!
Sheldon: See, I did all this great work, and now he's just going to come along and ruin it. I am angrier than ever and filled with despair.
Penny: What beverage do you make for that?
Leonard: Oh, no, no, no, I know this. Uh, hot apple cider with cinnamon sticks?
Sheldon: Yes, hot apple cider with cinnamon sticks!"

Episode Quotes

Howard: My wife came with both fun bags and money bags.

Sheldon: Penny, all my life I have been uncomfortable with the sort of physical contact that comes easily to others: handshaking, hugging, prostate exams. But I'm working on it, you know? Just recently, I had to put VapoRub on Amy's chest. A year ago, that would have been unthinkable.

Kripke: My work would suffer too if I was getting laid all the time.
Sheldon: Yes, that is the reason. My work is suffering because of all the laid I am getting.
Kripke: You lucky bastard.
Sheldon: What can I say, you know? She enjoys my genitals. I am giving them to her on a nightly basis.

Kripke: You guys ever use any toys?
Sheldon: I do have a model rocket next to my bed.
Kripke: A rocket? You're a freak! I love it!

Bernadette: No, here's how love works. You're gonna return the machine or you can print out a working set of lady parts and sleep with those.
Howard: [pondering]
Bernadette: Oh, my God! Are you actually thinking about it?

News Stories

Title Date Posted
Episode 6.14 Ratings February 1, 2013

Yesterday's episode of The Big Bang Theory finished first in the ratings for its time slot and ranked as the night's most-watched and highest-rated show. The show's rating were down from the record highs of the previous episode, likely owing to the show's two week absence and the return of American Idol.  Full story

CBS Announces Episode 6.14 January 15, 2013

CBS has issued the press release for the next episode of The Big Bang Theory, which will air Thursday, January 31. John Ross Bowie reprises his role as Barry Kripke in the episode.  Full story

Recap

As the guys eat dinner, Sheldon skips dinner as he is busy working. Raj mentions a new website where you can buy action figures that look like you. Although Leonard initially showed an interest in his own action figure, Penny's scorn made him back out, while Sheldon wasn't interested as it wouldn't have Kung-Fu grip. Later, as Sheldon works in his office, Barry Kripke comes to tell him that they are both working on a grant proposal for a new fusion reactor, and that the university can only submit one proposal, so they must work together.

Leonard and Howard are in his lab when Raj arrives with their new action figures, costing five hundred dollars each. When they open their action figures, they're disappointed to find they barely resemble them. Later, Leonard and Penny return from the movies to find Sheldon sulking over having to work with Kripke. The next day, at Sheldon's office, Kripke arrives to exchange work with Sheldon. Sheldon resists and tries to hand Kripke blank paper, but he's eventually forced to hand over his work.

Howard and Raj are playing with their action figures when Raj has the idea of buying a 3-D printer to make better action figures of themselves. Although Howard is initially reluctant to spend so much money, Raj convinces him to treat himself. Back at the apartment, Sheldon is upset to find that Kripke's work is significantly ahead of his own, leading him to accept a consoling hug from Amy. The next morning, Sheldon pretends to be sick so he doesn't have to go to work, but he's not even smart enough to fool Leonard.

After using their 3-D Printer to make a whistle, Howard and Raj pose for their action figures. Meanwhile, Kripke arrives at Sheldon's office and admits Sheldon's work was not at to the level he expected. Kripke assumes Sheldon's work is suffering because he has a girlfriend and is getting laid all the time, which Sheldon plays along with. Kripke urges Sheldon to buckle down, though he seems to revel in the details of Sheldon's supposed love life.

Howard surprises Bernadette with miniature action figures of themselves, but she's angry to learn how much Howard spent on a 3-D Printer without asking her. Back at the apartment, Sheldon tells Leonard and Penny how he lied to Kripke about his coitus with Amy. Penny asks Sheldon if he will ever sleep with Amy. Sheldon explains how he is uncomfortable with the sort of physical contact that comes easy to others, but realizes he's made a lot of progress and is quite fond of Amy. He tells Penny that it's a possibility that he might sleep with Amy.

Raj buys out Howard's share of the 3-D Printer, making the check out to Bernadette. Elsewhere, Sheldon fills Kripke in on more details about his sex life, including his use of a model rocket.