# Big Bang Theory 1/12--The Shiny Trinket Maneuver **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 12, 2012, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-1-12-the-shiny-trinket-maneuver/609314 "2012-01-12T17:46:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2012, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-1-12-the-shiny-trinket-maneuver/609314/41 "2012-01-14T16:04:53Z")
I was confused about the Money thing. Isn’t Bernadette a waitress who’s studying to be a Microbiologist? Did she say she _will_ make more money? That could be. ---
**Author:** ![Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/half_man_half_wit/32/21766_2.png) [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2012, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-1-12-the-shiny-trinket-maneuver/609314/42 "2012-01-14T16:09:08Z")
Was this the first time we heard Howard’s mother not screaming? ‘HOWARD, IT’S BERNAD… she slipped right past me!?’ ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2012, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-1-12-the-shiny-trinket-maneuver/609314/43 "2012-01-14T16:18:03Z")
> [@Quimby](#): > > I was confused about the Money thing. Isn’t Bernadette a waitress who’s studying to be a Microbiologist? Did she say she _will_ make more money? That could be. Bernadette Rostenkowski was initially a waitress and co-worker of Penny paying her way through graduate school microbiology studies while waitressing. She defended her doctoral thesis and landed a high-paying science position at the end of season 4. ---
**Author:** ![pancakes3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba9def/32.png) [@pancakes3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pancakes3)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2012, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-1-12-the-shiny-trinket-maneuver/609314/44 "2012-01-14T17:05:35Z")
- i believe it was a pharm company. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2012, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-1-12-the-shiny-trinket-maneuver/609314/45 "2012-01-14T17:08:54Z")
> [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](#): > > Was this the first time we heard Howard’s mother not screaming? ‘HOWARD, IT’S BERNAD… she slipped right past me!?’ What was the Yiddish term she used to describe her displeasure about Howard & Bernadette not having kids? Sounded like “What’s this _Michegoss_ about you guys not giving me grandchildren?” [And undoubtedly I’m misspelling whatever the word is] ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2012, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-1-12-the-shiny-trinket-maneuver/609314/46 "2012-01-14T17:17:25Z")
As a new watcher of the series, my favorite moment so far was when Sheldon offered visiting Dr. Plimpton a choice of either feminine hygiene products or a bowel regulating yogurt. When she chose the latter, he informed her that if it worked he had some delightful scented candles. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2012, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-1-12-the-shiny-trinket-maneuver/609314/47 "2012-01-14T17:50:38Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > What was the Yiddish term she used to describe her displeasure about Howard & Bernadette not having kids? Sounded like “What’s this _Michegoss_ about you guys not giving me grandchildren?” [And undoubtedly I’m misspelling whatever the word is] _Mishegas_. (Insanity.) ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2012, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-1-12-the-shiny-trinket-maneuver/609314/48 "2012-01-14T18:00:06Z")
Bernadette is definitely a bit “off”. I just saw the episode where she first appeared and in the back seat of the car with Howard on their first (double) date, she reacted in very nerdish/literal ways to Howard’s attempt at humor, etc. In the scenes of the three women together, Penny seems to be the odd man out of the three. Bernadette seems to “get” Amy a lot better than Penny does. That plus actually agreeing to marry Howard distinguishes her from the norms. (I don’t think Howard has a CS degree. His occupation is Aerospace Engineer. Engineers get fussy about people calling themselves “Engineer” without the proper credentials.) ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2012, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-1-12-the-shiny-trinket-maneuver/609314/49 "2012-01-14T18:10:31Z")
I loved the tiara moment! Yes, it was telegraphed…I mean, where would be the comedy if she took one look at what he bought and either still stayed mad or was neutral? But since I at least thought it was going to be the tennis bracelet that he was looking at in the shop, the surprise of the tiara and Amy’s amazingly funny reaction was great! I’ve really liked Mayim’s acting in this series, better than anything she did before, but that scene was so funny I’m sorry I erased the show! I really want to watch it again! And the look on Penny’s face was great…she knew exactly what would melt Amy, and she made it happen. Plus the smile at the conductor’s comment…she’s really like the mom those boys didn’t have! ---
**Author:** ![PandaBear77](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@PandaBear77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PandaBear77)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2012, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-1-12-the-shiny-trinket-maneuver/609314/50 "2012-01-14T18:13:23Z")
Kittenblue, go to CBS’s website, they have the episode posted. Start it up at around 17:20. 🙂 The tiara scene is the funniest scene they’ve ever done … although the Leonard Nimoy Christmas napkin was pretty hysterical too. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2012, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-1-12-the-shiny-trinket-maneuver/609314/51 "2012-01-14T18:22:05Z")
> [@PandaBear77](#): > > Kittenblue, go to CBS’s website, they have the episode posted. Start it up at around 17:20. 🙂 > > The tiara scene is the funniest scene they’ve ever done … although the Leonard Nimoy Christmas napkin was pretty hysterical too. It’s all over [youtube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duiKAT-33Ss) as well. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2012, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-1-12-the-shiny-trinket-maneuver/609314/52 "2012-01-14T18:43:42Z")
I’m not a big fan of Amy, but that tiara scene was high-larious. “Put it on me! Put it on me! Put it on me! Put it on me!” mmm ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2012, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-1-12-the-shiny-trinket-maneuver/609314/53 "2012-01-14T19:19:02Z")
In addition to the kiss I think we need to acknowledge that Sheldon embraced AFF (as a separate movement and not just as an instant brainless reaction to her hugging him) AND he told Penny she was right. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2012, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-1-12-the-shiny-trinket-maneuver/609314/54 "2012-01-14T20:06:52Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > I’m not a big fan of Amy, but that tiara scene was high-larious. > > “Put it on me! Put it on me! Put it on me! Put it on me!” > mmm Emmy best actress comedy right there. ---
**Author:** ![JoelUpchurch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f05b48/32.png) [@JoelUpchurch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoelUpchurch)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2012, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-1-12-the-shiny-trinket-maneuver/609314/55 "2012-01-14T20:07:47Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > In addition to the kiss I think we need to acknowledge that Sheldon embraced AFF (as a separate movement and not just as an instant brainless reaction to her hugging him) AND he told Penny she was right. In the interest of accuracy, what Sheldon said was, “ **You’re right. Tiara is too much.** ” Also, if Bernadette is going to be making a ‘buttload’ of money, why don’t they hire a nanny? I was looking at some pictures of a friend of mine from when she was growing up in the Philippines. I asked her who was the woman holding her baby brother and she said it was ‘his’ nanny. It turned out that her and her sister and her brother each had their own nanny. BTW, her reaction to her last visit to Manila sounded a lot like Raj talking about India. "It’s sooo hot and so crowded. You wouldn’t believe how crowded it is. " ---
**Author:** ![Max\_the\_Immortal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Max\_the\_Immortal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_the_Immortal)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-1-12-the-shiny-trinket-maneuver/609314/56 "2012-01-15T01:47:05Z")
The best part is that Penny tried to talk Sheldon out of the tiara the same way she tried to talk him out of the pocket watch. Fortunately, Amy and Sheldon are on the same wavelength, jewelry-wise. ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2012, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-1-12-the-shiny-trinket-maneuver/609314/57 "2012-01-18T16:36:26Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > Not with that voice . . . > > And not with her engagement to Howard . . . > > And not with her getting along with Howard’s mother . . . > > She only appears to be normal when compared with most of the other characters. Hell, even _ **I’d** _ seem normal, compared to them. I got a big laugh out of the fact that when Bernadette was mocking childrens’ whiny, high-pitched voices, she was in fact using her normal voice… Prediction - the next Howard/Bernadette argument will be about whether she takes Howard’s last name after the marriage. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-1-12-the-shiny-trinket-maneuver/609314/58 "2012-01-19T21:15:47Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > I love it, and totally think it fits the character. I’ve always imagined little Aspergersy Sheldon, bursting in on his mom without knocking first; she then proceeds to tell Shelly to knock before entering. Later on, he knocks and opens the door before being told he can come in. So she then tells him “Shelly, you can’t just knock and barge in. I want to you knock three times, say the person’s name, and wait for the person to let you in. Three times.” > > And now you have adult Sheldon who can’t enter a room without knocking and saying a person’s name three times because he understands this to be the only socially acceptable way to do it. Or it could be explained that Sheldon only knocks this way for people he feels a connection with. Since Penny was a stranger the first few times, he did a normal knock. Later, it was (with apolgies to Tony Orlando) knock three times. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-1-12-the-shiny-trinket-maneuver/609314.md?page=2)