THE BIG BANG THEORY
CBS, 8:00 p.m. ET
From the beginning, which by now is a very long time ago, The Big Bang Theory (which premiered in 2007) has been especially adept at two things: introducing and developing new characters, and finding ways to pair off its players in unexpected combinations. The introduction of former Blossom star Mayim Bialik as Sheldon’s girlfriend, Amy Farrah Fowler, has been a comic godsend since she first appeared as Amy in 2010. And tonight, with Amy and Sheldon (Jim Parsons) now planning their wedding, you’d think they’d be inseparable – but tonight’s new episode separates them, at least professionally. Sheldon throws Amy out so he can work solo on his research, which leads to some temporary shuffling of the comic deck. Amy finds herself working well with Leonard (Johnny Galecki), while Sheldon ends up spending unexpected solo time with Leonard’s wife, Penny (Kaley Cuoco).