The Engagement Reaction

Episode aired May 12, 2011
TV-PG
20m

IMDb RATING

8.0/10

4.1K

YOUR RATING

Simon Helberg and Melissa Rauch in The Big Bang Theory (2007)

Comedy Romance

Howard believes that his mom suffered a heart attack because he told her that he's marrying Bernadette, Sheldon freaks out over germs, and Penny and Priya compare notes on Leonard.Howard believes that his mom suffered a heart attack because he told her that he's marrying Bernadette, Sheldon freaks out over germs, and Penny and Priya compare notes on Leonard.Howard believes that his mom suffered a heart attack because he told her that he's marrying Bernadette, Sheldon freaks out over germs, and Penny and Priya compare notes on Leonard.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

8.0/10

4.1K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Photos4

User reviews5

8.04K

Featured reviews

10Hitchcoc

Great from the Gitgo

This is fantastic from beginning to end. First of all, Bernadette goes out with Howard's mother for the first time. When she gets back Howard tells her about the engagement and she appears to have a heart attack. Howard wrecks his shoulder trying to break down the door. Penny tells Priya about Leonard's sexual prowess (not). Sheldon is trying to avoid hospital germs and accidentally ends up in a radiation area and can't leave.

7studioAT

The Engagement Reaction

This was a very funny episode of 'The Big Bang Theory' and is another example of how the quality has gone up a notch in the fourth series.

It seems more assured now. It doesn't feel like it's trying to be a 'Two and a Half Men' clone in terms of its humour, and the addition of more female characters has only helped to improve things too.

The joy of the show is the interaction between the cast, and finding the balance between plot and letting them spark off of each other again has taken some time to establish.

When it gets it right, as it does here, though it's a very good show indeed.

Here's hoping the form continues.

10tavm

Plenty of surprises abound in "The Engagement Reaction" ep of "The Big Bang Theory"

In a nutshell about this last season ep of "The Big Bang Theory": Howard tells his mother about his engagement to Bernadette. She faints. Her son takes her to the hospital. Everyone else is there, including Sheldon despite his fear of germs that could kill him, and Penny who now considers Howard a friend despite his once trying to French-kiss her. And it's Priya-remember the one who told Leonard to stay away from Penny-she's telling this to so it seems everything's fine socially. Well, except for Bernadette who gets unnerved by what's told to her and Sheldon who gets something he was afraid of...Another hilarious episode of "The Big Bang Theory" that gets it on all cylinders especially concerning Sheldon and Howard along with great assist from Bernadette. I really don't feel like revealing anything else so on that note, "The Engagement Reaction" is highly recommended.

Trivia
When Howard is talking to his mother about Bernadette while she is in the washroom, the pictures seen on the wall of Howard as a kid are real pictures of Simon Helberg as a child.

Goofs
When they're in the waiting room, Sheldon is talking about diseases and says, "...and other assorted coccuses." The plural of "coccus" is "cocci" (pronounced kaak-see).

Quotes
Howard Wolowitz: Mom also had just gotten some news that might've upset her.
Bernadette Rostenkowski: What?
Howard Wolowitz: It's not important.
Bernadette Rostenkowski: Come on, Howard, I'm going to be your wife. You can share anything with me.
Howard Wolowitz: Oh, you'd think that, but no.
Bernadette Rostenkowski: You told her we were going to get married and she had a heart attack?
Howard Wolowitz: You can't take that personally.
Penny: How else is she supposed to take it?
Howard Wolowitz: What you've gotta keep in mind is that ever since my dad left, I've been the whole world to my mother. I mean, she'd be threatened by any woman who can give me what she can't.
Bernadette Rostenkowski: You mean sexual intercourse?
Howard Wolowitz: Well, when you say it like that, you make it sound creepy.
[Priya and Raj enter]
Priya Koothrappali: What happened?
Bernadette Rostenkowski: Howard's mother had a heart attack because I have sex with him and she can't!

Crazy credits
CHUCK LORRE PRODUCTIONS, #345

What doesn't kill us makes us bitter. I used to believe that to be both funny and true. Years later I learned that pain could also be the touchstone for personal growth, which of course points back to the original saying, "what doesn't kill us makes us better." Not funny, but perhaps closer to the truth. Or at least the truth I choose to believe in these days. So, having recently experienced a bit of pain, am I better? Well, let's review: I think I'm fairly immune to name-calling now. I'm not sure I could have made that claim a few months ago. I've also come to see that the things I used to think were big deals, are not. Problems appear to be relative. If you have a big one, it makes all the others seem almost charming in comparison. And finally, when your life takes a path you could never have foreseen, it's humbling. In a good way. It's kind of like a friendly reminder from the universe that while you may think you have the starring role in the movie of your life, you're actually just a bit player trying to grab a quesadilla off the craft services table when no one's looking.

So, to sum up: I now have a thicker skin, I'm less likely to sweat the small stuff, and, perhaps most importantly, I have a renewed sense of humility. All in all, better. That being said, I still try to stay reasonably bitter in order to maintain my eligibility in the Writers Guild of America.

Connections
References Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (1993)

Soundtracks
History of Everything
(uncredited)
Written by Barenaked Ladies
Performed by Barenaked Ladies
[Series theme song played during the opening titles]