The Proton Displacement Season 7, Episode 7 -  Aired November 7, 2013

The Proton Displacement

Sheldon feels snubbed when his idol, Professor Proton, seeks Leonard's help for a science paper instead of his. Sheldon gets his revenge by befriending rival science icon Bill Nye. Meanwhile, Howard's presence at girls' night irritates Raj, who feels he can only be himself around the girls.

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Guest Stars: Bob Newhart as Professor Proton - Arthur Jeffries, Bill Nye as Himself

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

Director: Mark Cendrowski

Viewers: 16.89 million Households Rating: 11.2/18 Adults 18-49 Rating: 4.9/15

Available on iTunes

Episode Notes

  • The title refers to Sheldon's attempt to replace Professor Proton with Bill Nye.

> Sheldon's Knock

Sheldon uses his knock once on Professor Proton/Arthur's door. Sheldon remarks on Professor Proton's door knocker, saying "That's TV money."

Episode Quotes

Sheldon: Sheldon Cooper does not cry.
Howard: That's true, you'd rust.

Professor Proton: Can I ask you a question?
Leonard: Yeah, sure.
Professor Proton: Why do you put up with Sheldon?
Leonard: Oh, you know because we're friends.
Professor Proton: Why?
Leonard: Wow, you ask really hard questions. Look, I know he can be aggravating, but what you have to remember is he's not doing it on purpose, it's just how he is. But he's also loyal and trustworthy and we have fun together.
Professor Proton: You know you're describing a dog?
Leonard: He did bite me once. But in his defense, I came up behind him while he was eating.
Professor Proton: They hate that.
Leonard: Sheldon is the smartest person I have met. He's a little broken and he needs me. And I guess I need him too.
Professor Proton: Why is that?
Leonard: Boy, you will not let this go, will you?

Amy: (Talking about Howard & Raj) They are going to have sex before Sheldon and I do. I knew it!

Sheldon: Look, a new topical antihistamine with lidocaine. Wow! I can't wait 'til I get a rash.

Leonard: Ooh, Gasex has a new ultra-strength. I guess they really do read their mail.

News Stories

Title Date Posted
7.07 'The Proton Displacement' Ratings November 8, 2013

Last night's episode of The Big Bang Theory dominated the ratings to finish as the most-watched and highest-rated show last night.  Full story

7.07 'The Proton Displacement' Sheldon's Shirts November 8, 2013

Sheldon wore some more great t-shirts on last night's episode of The Big Bang Theory. One of the t-shirts he wore was new to his wardrobe. This was the first appearance of the yellow Green Lantern "Sinestro Corps" t-shirt. You can find out where to buy that and two other t-shirts featured in last night's episode below.  Full story

7.07 'The Proton Displacement' Sneak Peek November 6, 2013

Watch a sneak of tomorrow's brand new episode of The Big Bang Theory, "The Proton Displacement", featuring guest stars Bob Newhart and Bill Nye the Science Guy on the show's official YouTube channel.  Full story

7.07 'The Proton Displacement' Pictures October 25, 2013

Pictures from the next episode of The Big Bang Theory, 7.07 "The Proton Displacement", have been added to our gallery. Bob Newhart reprises his role as Professor Proton, while Bill Nye guest stars as himself.  Full story

7.07 'The Proton Displacement': Bob Newhart, Bill Nye guest October 25, 2013

CBS has isused the press release for the next episode of The Big Bang Theory, set to air Thursday, November 7. Comedy legend Bob Newhart reprises his role as Professor Proton, Sheldon and Leonard's favorite TV science show host as children. Bill Nye, the Science Guy, guest stars as himself in this episode.  Full story

Recap

As Leonard, Sheldon and Amy shop for groceries, Sheldon is delighted to see Arthur Jeffries, Professor Proton, in line. Arthur has not certainly not forgotten about Sheldon. Later, in the university cafeteria, Howard asks if Raj wants to spend time with him on Friday as the girls are having girls' night at his place. When Raj says he's busy, Howard figures out he's going to girls' night. Leonard mentions he got an email from Professor Proton, asking him to take a look at a paper he wrote on nano-vacuum tubes. Sheldon finds it strange Arthur didn't contact him, so he checks his emails. He's disappointed to find two emails from Arthur, one asking for Leonard's email address and the other telling him he found it.

Back at the apartment, Sheldon complains to Amy about how he used to idolize Professor Proton. When Amy suggests perhaps Arthur didn't want Sheldon to read his paper as he finds him a bit much, Sheldon presses her to admit she thinks he's annoying. Meanwhile, the girls are making jewelry in Howard and Bernadette's apartment. Howard shows up and suggests the girls use his soldering iron to make better jewelry. Raj is not happy that the girls are excited by Howard's idea.

Sheldon wakes Professor Proton up in the middle of the night - well, seven thirty. Sheldon apologizes to Arthur for being annoying and asks him if he'd now consider working with him, instead of Leonard, on his paper. Arthur accepts Sheldon's apology but says he'd rather stick with Leonard. The next day, in Leonard's lab, he and Arthur are working together. Sheldon arrives with Bill Nye the Science Guy. Meanwhile, the girls are making jewelry in Penny's apartment. Raj is talking through his personal problems with the girls, until Howard shows up with tools for them to make even cooler jewelry.

Back at Leonard's lab, as he and Arthur continue their work, Arthur asks him why he's friends with Sheldon. Leonard describes Sheldon's good qualities, such as loyalty and trustworthiness, and admits they're both a bit broken and need each other. Leonard receives a text from Sheldon saying Bill Nye ditched him. Meanwhile, Raj has finally had enough of Howard intruding on girls' night. Raj tells him how he isn't comfortable sharing with him as he just makes jokes, so girls' night is the one place where he can open up about his feelings.

Arthur shows up at Leonard and Sheldon's apartment to see Sheldon. When Arthur asks him for his opinion on his paper, Sheldon says it would be an honour - although he's already hacked his email account and read it. Sheldon tells Arthur his paper was inspired and invites Arthur in for tea. Arthur initially rejects the invitation, but changes his mind when he sees Penny in the apartment. While Sheldon takes Arthur through his list of favorite Professor Proton episodes, Arthur wonders whether Penny has any single grandmothers. Elsewhere, Raj goes to Howard's to apologize for his behavior on girls' night.