# The Big Bang Theory, Season 8, Episode 11 (December 11, 2014) -- "The Clean Room Infiltration" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 11, 2014, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-8-episode-11-december-11-2014-the-clean-room-infiltration/706983 "2014-12-11T23:53:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2014, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-8-episode-11-december-11-2014-the-clean-room-infiltration/706983/1 "2014-12-11T23:53:13Z")
I am starting this thread in anticipation of tonight’s episode. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2014, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-8-episode-11-december-11-2014-the-clean-room-infiltration/706983/2 "2014-12-12T02:39:13Z")
The local station in St. Louis is showing the Rams game tonight, so we won’t get BBT until 11:00 p.m. Saturday. ---
**Author:** ![Idilia\_Dubb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c2a13f/32.png) [@Idilia\_Dubb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idilia_Dubb)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2014, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-8-episode-11-december-11-2014-the-clean-room-infiltration/706983/3 "2014-12-12T11:21:24Z")
It was nice seeing Dr. Koothrappali actually sitting there and not merely Skyped in. I like Brian George, the actor who plays him. A question: Leonard referenced an occasion when Howard supposedly almost drove off with a baby. Did that happen in one of the old episodes? I don’t remember it. ---
**Author:** ![Idilia\_Dubb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c2a13f/32.png) [@Idilia\_Dubb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idilia_Dubb)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2014, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-8-episode-11-december-11-2014-the-clean-room-infiltration/706983/4 "2014-12-12T11:44:44Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > The local station in St. Louis is showing the Rams game tonight, so we won’t get BBT until 11:00 p.m. Saturday. **Kunilou** , you don’t have to wait until Saturday night. You can watch TBBT on CBS online at [http://www.cbs.com/shows/big\_bang\_theory/video/](http://www.cbs.com/shows/big_bang_theory/video/) I’m not in the States and that’s how I watch it. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/22080_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2014, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-8-episode-11-december-11-2014-the-clean-room-infiltration/706983/5 "2014-12-12T12:49:51Z")
I really, really hate how Sheldon has evolved from socially clueless to a total asshole. And I hate that none of his friends call him on it. In earlier seasons, there was an affectionate tolerance for his lack of social skills. But this change into a totally self-centered jerk makes no sense, and that his friends would tiptoe around it is equally inane. The whole show needs an intervention. ---
**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:** [December 12, 2014, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-8-episode-11-december-11-2014-the-clean-room-infiltration/706983/6 "2014-12-12T13:43:24Z")
I fully expected Sheldon to drop to one knee when he tasted that cookie. I think that’s where we may be headed. Sheldon and Amy could beat Penny and Leonard down the aisle. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2014, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-8-episode-11-december-11-2014-the-clean-room-infiltration/706983/7 "2014-12-12T15:02:32Z")
I’m not quite as down on the Sheldon arc of the show, at least he discovered the spirit of Christmas and inadvertently made Amy’s heart melt. The whole bird thing was silly and a waste of time. I wish they had shown a few more lame Victorian parlor games, they could have had some fun with that. ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2014, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-8-episode-11-december-11-2014-the-clean-room-infiltration/706983/8 "2014-12-12T15:26:47Z")
> [@Idilia\_Dubb](#): > > A question: Leonard referenced an occasion when Howard supposedly almost drove off with a baby. Did that happen in one of the old episodes? I don’t remember it. I don’t remember it either and Howard hasn’t had a car for all that long. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2014, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-8-episode-11-december-11-2014-the-clean-room-infiltration/706983/9 "2014-12-15T07:29:09Z")
Well, on the upside, at least they didn’t present the umpteenth retelling of _A Christmas Carol_ or _It’s a Wonderful Life._ On the downside, it might have been better if they did. Just a bland, nothing happening, going through the motions of phoning it in mess of an episode. ---
**Author:** ![yellowjacketcoder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/4bbf92/32.png) [@yellowjacketcoder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowjacketcoder)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2014, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-8-episode-11-december-11-2014-the-clean-room-infiltration/706983/10 "2014-12-15T14:42:49Z")
> [@Idilia\_Dubb](#): > > A question: Leonard referenced an occasion when Howard supposedly almost drove off with a baby. Did that happen in one of the old episodes? I don’t remember it. I think it was just an off-camera reference. > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > I really, really hate how Sheldon has evolved from socially clueless to a total asshole. And I hate that none of his friends call him on it. No kidding. Informing Sheldon that something is a non-optional social obligation has room for humor. Sheldon whining until everyone gives in to shut him up - hell, I don’t put up with that from my three year old. > [@BobLibDem](#): > > The whole bird thing was silly and a waste of time. I wish they had shown a few more lame Victorian parlor games, they could have had some fun with that. Indeed. While I can expect them being upset, I would have expected them to resign themselves to getting chewed out and calling building services immediately. Although, when they hit the bird with the fire extinguisher and it dropped dead, I laughed hard at the ‘splat!’ ---
**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:** [December 15, 2014, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-8-episode-11-december-11-2014-the-clean-room-infiltration/706983/11 "2014-12-15T15:48:45Z")
After the emotional turmoil of the first bird, I expected them to say “the hell with it” and blast the second bird. ---
**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:** [December 15, 2014, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-8-episode-11-december-11-2014-the-clean-room-infiltration/706983/12 "2014-12-15T15:58:40Z")
> [@Idilia\_Dubb](#): > > **Kunilou** , you don’t have to wait until Saturday night. You can watch TBBT on CBS online at [http://www.cbs.com/shows/big\_bang\_theory/video/](http://www.cbs.com/shows/big_bang_theory/video/) You know what’s the best thing about watching it there? There’s a white dot to tell you where the end of that damn theme song is. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2014, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-8-episode-11-december-11-2014-the-clean-room-infiltration/706983/13 "2014-12-15T18:18:30Z")
> [@Kimballkid](#): > > I don’t remember it either and Howard hasn’t had a car for all that long. Pretty sure it was not an actual ep reference. My only complaint is that Amy should have used real Victorian parlor games but bungled them without mercy. OR gone for a homage to the “Blind Man’s Bluff” in A Christmas Carol in which either A.) Dr. K always manages to grab Penny… tight, or B.) whoever is blindfolder stumbles aimlessly around in that big apartment while the other two successfully avoid capture with minimum effort. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2014, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-8-episode-11-december-11-2014-the-clean-room-infiltration/706983/14 "2014-12-15T19:22:01Z")
> [@Idilia\_Dubb](#): > > A question: Leonard referenced an occasion when Howard supposedly almost drove off with a baby. Did that happen in one of the old episodes? I don’t remember it. > [@yellowjacketcoder](#): > > I think it was just an **off-camera reference.** I prefer the phrase “noodle incident”. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2014, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-8-episode-11-december-11-2014-the-clean-room-infiltration/706983/15 "2014-12-15T19:40:48Z")
Apparently the show knows as much about how clean rooms are set up (apparently it just means a plastic curtain in the doorway) as they do about how tenure is achieved. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2014, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-8-episode-11-december-11-2014-the-clean-room-infiltration/706983/16 "2014-12-15T21:20:15Z")
The smash cut from them realizing no one knows they’re there to them gleefully singing Christmas carols was funny. ---
**Author:** ![Fair\_Rarity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fair_rarity/32/153_2.png) [@Fair\_Rarity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fair_Rarity)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2014, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-8-episode-11-december-11-2014-the-clean-room-infiltration/706983/17 "2014-12-16T02:27:11Z")
I didn’t think it was a particularly great episode, but the cookies were so sweet. I don’t always want to watch The Shamy Show, but I love their tender moments. ---
**Author:** ![Idilia\_Dubb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c2a13f/32.png) [@Idilia\_Dubb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idilia_Dubb)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2014, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-8-episode-11-december-11-2014-the-clean-room-infiltration/706983/18 "2014-12-16T07:40:22Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > I prefer the phrase “noodle incident”. 🆒 “Noodle incident?” 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2014, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-8-episode-11-december-11-2014-the-clean-room-infiltration/706983/19 "2014-12-16T07:46:01Z")
> [@Idilia\_Dubb](#): > > “Noodle incident?” 😕 Calvin and Hobbes reference. The “Noodle Incident” is something indescribably bad that Calvin did once that was never described. Much like the rules for Calvinball. ---
**Author:** ![Idilia\_Dubb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c2a13f/32.png) [@Idilia\_Dubb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idilia_Dubb)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2014, 9:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-8-episode-11-december-11-2014-the-clean-room-infiltration/706983/20 "2014-12-16T09:40:16Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > Calvin and Hobbes reference. The “Noodle Incident” is something indescribably bad that Calvin did once that was never described. Much like the rules for Calvinball. Thanks, **Justin**. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-8-episode-11-december-11-2014-the-clean-room-infiltration/706983.md?page=2)