# The Big Bang Theory 5/3--The Launch Acceleration **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 3, 2012, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-5-3-the-launch-acceleration/620782 "2012-05-03T20:07:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2012, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-5-3-the-launch-acceleration/620782/21 "2012-05-04T15:22:11Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > Is Bernadette’s mom still around? Has her father met Mrs. Wolowitz yet? Who knows what may ensue. I don’t think so. During the “I don’t want kids” episode, she complained that she basically had to raise her younger siblings. ---
**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 4, 2012, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-5-3-the-launch-acceleration/620782/22 "2012-05-04T15:26:44Z")
> [@PunditLisa](#): > > I don’t think so. During the “I don’t want kids” episode, she complained that she basically had to raise her younger siblings. But when we first meet Bernadette, Howard’s date with her is crashing and burning until they start talking about their overbearing mothers. The raising of her siblings was because her mother worked full-time, and I remember something about an illegal daycare in the basement. ---
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2012, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-5-3-the-launch-acceleration/620782/23 "2012-05-04T15:47:13Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > I like Howard’s character development. The horndog angle was played out far too long. I just saw a re-run of the one where he and Raj go to a Goth club. It was cringe-worthy. > The question is whether Howard goes up or gets married. I’d love to see him be able to counter the no-PhD dig with, “astronaut.” In a way, I will miss the “horndog” days for Howard – it was very amusing that he considered himself a “ladies’ man”! But I can see how that might have grated on the nerves if played out too long. ---
**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 4, 2012, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-5-3-the-launch-acceleration/620782/24 "2012-05-04T17:12:23Z")
I thought the best moment was Amy smiling as Sheldon realized that the conditioning was working. ---
**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 4, 2012, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-5-3-the-launch-acceleration/620782/25 "2012-05-04T17:13:22Z")
Side question that has bugged me all night: What the hell is Howard’s ring-tone? I know it, but can’t place it. If it’s a standard tone that comes with the phone I’m going to feel really stupid. ---
**Author:** ![tim-n-va](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim-n-va/32/3001_2.png) [@tim-n-va](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim-n-va)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2012, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-5-3-the-launch-acceleration/620782/26 "2012-05-04T18:03:30Z")
> [@Sitnam](#): > > Their relationship failed before because he got too attached. Had it failed before because he cheated on her I’m sure admitting cheating again while having sex is valid. NEVER admit to cheating whether having sex or not, especially if you live on a TV show. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2012, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-5-3-the-launch-acceleration/620782/27 "2012-05-04T18:53:05Z")
> [@tim-n-va](#): > > NEVER admit to cheating whether having sex or not, especially if you live on a TV show. “Wasn’t me.” ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2012, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-5-3-the-launch-acceleration/620782/28 "2012-05-04T19:24:51Z")
> [@Max\_the\_Immortal](#): > > I thought the best moment was Amy smiling as Sheldon realized that the conditioning was working. i think she has used that “i’m winning” grin her whole career from what i can recall from clips and photos. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2012, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-5-3-the-launch-acceleration/620782/29 "2012-05-04T20:19:52Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Side question that has bugged me all night: What the hell is Howard’s ring-tone? I know it, but can’t place it. > > If it’s a standard tone that comes with the phone I’m going to feel really stupid. Kind of sounded like something out of a video game to me, but yeah maybe just a standard ringtone. Another funny moment. …COOOOKIEEEEEEES! ---
**Author:** ![Albert\_Rose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de053/32.png) [@Albert\_Rose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Albert_Rose)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2012, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-5-3-the-launch-acceleration/620782/30 "2012-05-05T01:25:42Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Side question that has bugged me all night: What the hell is Howard’s ring-tone? I know it, but can’t place it. > > If it’s a standard tone that comes with the phone I’m going to feel really stupid. I thought it was the [National Geographic Explorer theme](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIJ_LpXGnUE), but I may be misremembering. ---
**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:** [May 5, 2012, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-5-3-the-launch-acceleration/620782/31 "2012-05-05T02:03:18Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Side question that has bugged me all night: What the hell is Howard’s ring-tone? I know it, but can’t place it. It sounds like a Thomas Newman (_American Beauty / Six Feet Under / etc_) composition to me, but I can’t _quite_ place it. Great, now it’s going to drive me nuts, too. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2012, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-5-3-the-launch-acceleration/620782/32 "2012-05-05T02:08:31Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Side question that has bugged me all night: What the hell is Howard’s ring-tone? I know it, but can’t place it. > > If it’s a standard tone that comes with the phone I’m going to feel really stupid. Prepare to feel stupid. It’s called [Xylophone](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbwZhVyzovU), and is indeed standard with the iPhone. One of the things I like (because it’s a hit show, I suppose) is that they can get away with using genuine brands like iPhone, Skype, and various games. I’m sure it’s great publicity for those slightly lesser known geeky products (like the Donkey Kong Jenga, or Settlers of Catan). Though they do use generic soda brands. ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2012, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-5-3-the-launch-acceleration/620782/33 "2012-05-05T02:13:59Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Side question that has bugged me all night: What the hell is Howard’s ring-tone? I know it, but can’t place it. > > If it’s a standard tone that comes with the phone I’m going to feel really stupid. It’s the [iPhone “Xylophone” ringtone](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbwZhVyzovU). ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2012, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-5-3-the-launch-acceleration/620782/34 "2012-05-05T10:53:27Z")
Another good line - “Strawberry Quick is my favorite pink beverage, followed closely by Pepto Bismal” I liked the all the Amy “seducing” Sheldon bits Brian ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2012, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-5-3-the-launch-acceleration/620782/35 "2012-05-08T14:29:20Z")
> [@Max\_the\_Immortal](#): > > I thought the best moment was Amy smiling as Sheldon realized that the conditioning was working. It looks like Babinski eats Dirac for breakfast and defecates Clarke-Maxwell. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2012, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-5-3-the-launch-acceleration/620782/36 "2012-05-09T16:44:53Z")
I missed the episode. Has Howard gone into space yet? If not, I have a theory about the season finale: the producers are going to kill off Howard by having the rocket blow up. He’s probably the least-interesting of the nerds, and Bernadette really isn’t very interesting either, so if the producers are looking to shake up the show, Howard is the most expendable. ---
**Author:** ![slitterst](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecc23a/32.png) [@slitterst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slitterst)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2012, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-5-3-the-launch-acceleration/620782/37 "2012-05-09T18:10:25Z")
> [@Diceman](#): > > I missed the episode. Has Howard gone into space yet? If not, I have a theory about the season finale: the producers are going to kill off Howard by having the rocket blow up. He’s probably the least-interesting of the nerds, and Bernadette really isn’t very interesting either, so if the producers are looking to shake up the show, Howard is the most expendable. I think Raj is the least interesting. Why does the show need a second theoretical physicist? And one who wastes half his lines whispering them in Howard’s ear just because Penny or Bernadette are in the room? Howard’s a necessary part of the group because with all those PhDs around, they need an engineer who can actually make the things they’re dreaming of. No, they’ll let Howard go into space. It’ll finally give him a topper for all those times Sheldon looks down on his Master’s from MIT. ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2012, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-5-3-the-launch-acceleration/620782/38 "2012-05-09T18:20:38Z")
> [@Diceman](#): > > I missed the episode. Has Howard gone into space yet? If not, I have a theory about the season finale: the producers are going to kill off Howard by having the rocket blow up. He’s probably the least-interesting of the nerds, and Bernadette really isn’t very interesting either, so if the producers are looking to shake up the show, Howard is the most expendable. Let’s just say I’ll be _very_ surprised if your theory turns out to be correct. But, no, he hasn’t gone yet. In this episode, he learns the mission has been scrubbed. He pretends to be disappointed, but is actually relieved because he has secretly been absolutely terrified the whole time. However, it turns out that NASA is highly interested in Howard’s experiment\* and slots him for an earlier flight, that happens to launch the day before his and Bernadette’s wedding. Howard tries to use this as an excuse to get out of the launch, but Bernadette is supportive, and her intimidating father tells him he’d be a fool to pass up the opportunity, banquet hall deposits be damned. So it now looks like he’s going after all. \*…or whatever he’ll be doing up there. I’m really not sure exactly _why_ he needs to go, but it’s entirely possible I haven’t been paying close enough attention. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2012, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-5-3-the-launch-acceleration/620782/39 "2012-05-09T18:43:35Z")
> [@Sitnam](#): > > It looks like Babinski eats Dirac for breakfast and defecates Clarke-Maxwell. Oh, snap! Now I have a disturbing visual of Sheldon whispering this in a _come-hither_ tone as he gently pulls AFF towards his bedroom. :: shiver :: > [@Diceman](#): > > I missed the episode. Has Howard gone into space yet? If not, I have a theory about the season finale: the producers are going to kill off Howard by having the rocket blow up. He’s probably the least-interesting of the nerds, and Bernadette really isn’t very interesting either, so if the producers are looking to shake up the show, Howard is the most expendable. LOL! Consider the foreshadowing from the Bollywood episode. If Howard does die, I predict that Raj loses the power of speech entirely, out of sheer guilt for wanting to “comfort” Bernadette. ---
**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 9, 2012, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-5-3-the-launch-acceleration/620782/40 "2012-05-09T19:04:19Z")
It’s a sit-com, so Howard is safe. His trip will take place over the summer, and he’ll come back to earth sometime at the start of next season. Just like the trip to the magnetic North Pole. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-5-3-the-launch-acceleration/620782.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-5-3-the-launch-acceleration/620782.md?page=3)