[meka3000]

Original Air Date: November 17, 2008

Howard accidentally gets the Mars rover stuck in a ditch while trying to impress Stephanie Barnett (Sara Rue). Stephanie finds herself more interested in Leonard than Howard and dates Leonard instead.

This episode airs in about less than 30 minutes where I live on TBS, so if anyone wants to discuss this season 2 episode after it airs, let's have at it.

[meka3000]

So this episode introduced Stephanie Barnett, Leonard's first girlfriend in a 3 episode arc. This one was probably the best of the dr. Stephanie arc.

Some didn't like Leonard making out with Stephanie right away, but he's not perfect and I liked seeing his flaws, and how he wrestles with him.

Speaking of wrestling with flaws. Penny isn't shown as jealous here, but supportive. I interpreted this as her thinking a relationship with Leonard being a pipe dream. But once she sees that a smart guy (who's also more physically masculine something she related to easier once upon a time) in David Underhill is no guarantee to be worth it. And once they bonded over feeling unloved by their specific parents it was only a matter of time (sure Leonard made it awkward, partially due to alcohol, but the point was made that it was possible for them to find common ground, and the fact that they made a connection was in her subconscious as the season 2 penultimate episode showed). The season also showed she tried expanding to different versions of Leonard in Dave & Stuart (along with her old habits).

The Mars rover is something we'd hear about many times in future episodes.

Galecki and Rue making out was pretty hott. Not Lenny hott, but hott none the less.

Wish the show would've expanded rock-paper-scissors-lizard-Spock with batman-superman last season when batman v superman came out.

Howard shows some potential for pathos for the first time with him hopelessly pinning for Stephanie even though he has no chance.

Did somebody have a hate crush on Babylon 5 in the first 3 seasons? That was the engineering joke before engineering came along.

"Three words for you, WRATH OF KHAN". Preach it, Raj!

Wonder what Sheldon would think of Star Wars: Rebels? That show is awesome.

Anyways, a solid episode.

[FileXxX]

Funny enough it's not been that long since I watched this episode. I guess what I like the most about the whole Stephanie arc is that it showed Leonard is indeed desirable.

[BlackWhiteRose]

Nice episode. I learned the Rock, paper scissors , lizard Spock explanation from Sheldon
I still remember it

Howard´s mom was the most fun in that episode. Loved her screaming (Man I miss that lady!)