# Big Bang Theory 5/17 "The Staircase Implementation" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 18, 2010, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-5-17-the-staircase-implementation/539873 "2010-05-18T13:12:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**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:** [May 18, 2010, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-5-17-the-staircase-implementation/539873/1 "2010-05-18T13:12:52Z")
I laughed. I howled. From beginning to end. This flashback episode alone is going to have me buy the Season 3 DVD. Best line: Howard: I don’t know what happened to the Oreos, Ma. Can’t you take your bath without them? ---
**Author:** ![Panthan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Panthan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Panthan)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-5-17-the-staircase-implementation/539873/2 "2010-05-18T13:27:56Z")
Leonard initials the time travel clause … five beats … “Well, that’s disappointing.” ---
**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:** [May 18, 2010, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-5-17-the-staircase-implementation/539873/3 "2010-05-18T13:43:03Z")
Finding out how the elevator got disabled. How it was exlained was something I couldn’t have dreamed up in a million years. Leonard: You saved my life. Thank you so much. Sheldon (in Jim Parson’s deadpan): You’re welcome. And Sheldon pausing at the frig to turn the flag upside down. How dows Jim Parsons make you laugh at such minor things like that? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-5-17-the-staircase-implementation/539873/4 "2010-05-18T13:50:10Z")
Sheldon’s flag looked like an old Saab logo. “Die Sheldon die” ---
**Author:** ![TV\_time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f17d59/32.png) [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-5-17-the-staircase-implementation/539873/5 "2010-05-18T16:41:42Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > “Die Sheldon die” “You may want to repaint.” I loved the explanation about the Korean spy. And the guy in drag warning about Sheldon. And even Penny’s flashback. But I have to agree the pause waiting for the time traveler, was a moment in TVdom up there near Jim taking the driving test on Taxi. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-5-17-the-staircase-implementation/539873/6 "2010-05-18T16:59:03Z")
After five seconds, the “non-event” was funny, but would it have been better if something “spooky” (but very explainable) happened? A knock on the door or a mild earthquake? ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-5-17-the-staircase-implementation/539873/7 "2010-05-18T17:16:29Z")
I had a lot of fun with this one. It may be the best this season. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-5-17-the-staircase-implementation/539873/8 "2010-05-18T17:25:15Z")
I liked the subtle touch of having everybody in the flashbacks wear period-appropriate clothing and hairstyles, but Sheldon was wearing what he still does today. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-5-17-the-staircase-implementation/539873/9 "2010-05-18T17:26:07Z")
> [@TV\_time](#): > > But I have to agree the pause waiting for the time traveler, was a moment in TVdom up there near Jim taking the driving test on Taxi. Agreed. I lost it at that point, and had to rewind. Simply brilliant. The fact that both of them understood the implications of him initialing the clause pushed it over the top. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-5-17-the-staircase-implementation/539873/10 "2010-05-18T17:33:17Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > I liked the subtle touch of having everybody in the flashbacks wear period-appropriate clothing and hairstyles, but Sheldon was wearing what he still does today. Raj’s Miami Vice suit was 2003 appropriate? ---
**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:** [May 18, 2010, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-5-17-the-staircase-implementation/539873/11 "2010-05-18T17:39:19Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > Raj’s Miami Vice suit was 2003 appropriate? I doesn’t have to be 2003-appropriate. It just has to be Raj-appropriate for 2003. My favorite joke was Sheldon’s assuming that Firefly would be on the air for many years to come. I discovered that I can laugh bitterly and heartily at the same time. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-5-17-the-staircase-implementation/539873/12 "2010-05-18T17:54:24Z")
One thing kinda bugged me- the “cat playing piano” video Leonard sent Sheldon didn’t exist in 2003. At least, I don’t think it did, if they’re talking about the “Play him off, Piano Cat” video. ---
**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:** [May 18, 2010, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-5-17-the-staircase-implementation/539873/13 "2010-05-18T18:29:17Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > I liked the subtle touch of having everybody in the flashbacks wear period-appropriate clothing and hairstyles, but Sheldon was wearing what he still does today. I’ve said it before and I’ll probably say it again: Sometimes Sheldon reminds me of myself so much that it’s both hilarious and frightening. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-5-17-the-staircase-implementation/539873/14 "2010-05-18T18:33:46Z")
> [@Max\_the\_Immortal](#): > > My favorite joke was Sheldon’s assuming that Firefly would be on the air for many years to come. I discovered that I can laugh bitterly and heartily at the same time. I also enjoyed his dig at Microsoft and the iPod. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-5-17-the-staircase-implementation/539873/15 "2010-05-18T18:59:09Z")
I laughed my ass off, beginning to end. “Sheldon was _worse_ seven years ago.” Oh, yeah, he was. He couldn’t even make eye contact with Leonard. “Howard, are you having a play date?” “Is that your dad?” ETA: And Raj in the Miami Vice look in 2003 was _perfect!_ ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-5-17-the-staircase-implementation/539873/16 "2010-05-18T21:45:23Z")
What was up with the laughter? I watched this twice and I swear it’s a laugh track. Is it? I liked the episode though why Raj would go from being a handsome guy with a nice haircut to a nerdy guy who looks like he cuts his own hair is beyond me. Raj also seemed far too outspoken. Sure he is afraid of girls but at the series start he was always less sure than the others and this flashback didn’t reflect that. I hope we get to see how Leonard meets Raj and Howard at some point. Also I wasn’t it a joke that Leonard’s North Korean girlfriend defected BACK to North Korea? Sort of a play on him, as no one in their right mind would go back. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-5-17-the-staircase-implementation/539873/17 "2010-05-18T22:19:43Z")
> [@Markxxx](#): > > What was up with the laughter? I watched this twice and I swear it’s a laugh track. Is it? > … It’s a [studio audience](http://www.chucklorre.com/images/vc282big.jpg), although that audio is mixed into the final cut at whatever levels they feel like. I’ve never been bothered by the laughter, probably because I’m busy laughing. ---
**Author:** ![Leiko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Leiko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leiko)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-5-17-the-staircase-implementation/539873/18 "2010-05-18T22:43:09Z")
> [@Lightnin](#): > > One thing kinda bugged me- the “cat playing piano” video Leonard sent Sheldon didn’t exist in 2003. At least, I don’t think it did, if they’re talking about the “Play him off, Piano Cat” video. Was it a video? I could have sworn it was just a picture. Gosh- not even a macro! I’ve done online stuff since I was about 4 (18 years ago) but the idea that a funny picture of a cat didn’t come with a caption or dialogue in Impact or a similar font already seems weird to me. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-5-17-the-staircase-implementation/539873/19 "2010-05-18T22:55:42Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > Raj’s Miami Vice suit was 2003 appropriate? I think in 2003, Raj had only recently come to the US, so the Miami Vice suit was meant to emphasize how out-of-touch he was with current trends. ---
**Author:** ![Auntbeast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Auntbeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Auntbeast)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-5-17-the-staircase-implementation/539873/20 "2010-05-18T23:28:42Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > It’s a [studio audience](http://www.chucklorre.com/images/vc282big.jpg), although that audio is mixed into the final cut at whatever levels they feel like. I’ve never been bothered by the laughter, probably because I’m busy laughing. As sad as I am to say this, that photo is shopped like a mofo. It is done so poorly, I noticed it. Look at the girl in the blue and white striped shirt, the guy in the khaki overshirt with his hand in the air. There are a lot of twins in that audience. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-bang-theory-5-17-the-staircase-implementation/539873.md?page=2)