The Big Bang Theory Season 2 Episode 18

Ep 18. The Work Song Nanocluster

  • TV14
  • March 16, 2009
  • 20 min
  • 8.1  (4,341)

Leonard and Sheldon are seen making their way to the university whilst insulting each other’s mother. Upon reaching their lab, they find that they have been kicked out of it by a janitor. The guys push their way into the lab and demand an explanation from the department head, Dr. Gablehauser. He tells them that the janitor was sent to clean their workspace as the lab is now assigned to Dr. Eric Gablehauser, Jr., the department head’s less-than-impressive son. Dr. Gablehauser Sr. then gifts the guys an electrical engineering assignment, involving the creation of a microscopic machine that can do the work of an entire company.

While Leonard and Sheldon work on the project, Howard shows up with Raj, who is very upset because his parents in India have set up an arranged marriage for him. Howard offers a solution: Nanjiani, a grad student at the university who needs a green card. Raj is hesitant, but upon meeting Nanjiani, feels some relief when he realizes he is well-liked by Bernadette, who apparently found him attractive. The two agree to sleep together, but Bernadette shows up and shuts the whole thing down.

While Raj is dealing with his romantic woes, Leonard and Sheldon’s new project runs into a snag. The machine that they’ve been working on is utterly unworkable, as its power consumption is too high. As Sheldon is pondering the problem, Penny shows up, asking for their help with her customer service job, as one customer in particular has become excessively aggressive. Sheldon tasks himself with solving Penny’s problem, and in the process comes up with a solution to their engineering issue.

Penny is still in a bad mood after work, so Leonard invites her up to their apartment to watch a movie and have pizza. During the classic 50’s movie “The Mummy”, Penny and Leonard eventually give in to their strong connection and kiss. When things get heated and somewhat physical, Sheldon and Raj burst into the room, interrupting the moment. To cope with the awkward tension, they all decide to sing a song that Sheldon had come up with regarding their scientific project.

Overall, the episode does a good job of balancing several storylines at once. The main plot with Leonard and Sheldon’s project is intricate and well-presented. It’s satisfying to watch them deal with an engineering problem in their typically meticulous way; it’s also interesting to see Sheldon solve a completely unrelated problem thanks to his unique thought process. The anxiety-inducing plot of Raj's arranged marriage is a stark contrast to the main plot, and provides some valuable character development for the character. The romantic subplot with Penny and Leonard is intriguingly woven throughout the episode, and culminates in a satisfying, though somewhat predictable way.

The highlights of the episode are, without a doubt, the musical numbers involving the titular work song nanocluster. The song itself is catchy and cleverly written, using scientific terms in a way that actually makes sense and is not completely cringe-inducing. The fact that the characters themselves are singing and dancing probably adds to the charm of it all, and the missteps and hijinks that happen during the song are genuinely amusing.

Ultimately, “The Work Song Nanocluster” is a well-executed episode that showcases the strengths of The Big Bang Theory - the smart writing, character development, and humor. It’s unlikely to change anyone's mind about the show if they already hate it, but fans will find plenty to enjoy here.

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Description
Watch The Big Bang Theory - The Work Song Nanocluster (s2 e18) Online - Watch online anytime: Buy, Rent
The Big Bang Theory, Season 2 Episode 18, is available to watch and stream on CBS. You can also buy, rent The Big Bang Theory on demand at Max, Amazon Prime, Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, Vudu, TBS, Microsoft Movies & TV, Google Play, Apple TV online.
  • First Aired
    March 16, 2009
  • Content Rating
    TV14
  • Runtime
    20 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    8.1  (4,341)
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