The Big Bang Theory: "The Friendship Contraction" Review

Note: Full spoilers for the episode follow.

Once again using the "roommate agreement," the ever mysterious contract between Sheldon and Leonard, "The Friendship Contraction" focused on the ever-brewing tensions between Leonard and Sheldon, who exuded the kind of selfishness fit for kings and pop divas in this episode. After one of Sheldon's quarterly apocalypse drills drives Leonard to his edge, the two decide to break their "friendship clause," thus removing most obligations Leonard has to Sheldon.

While Sheldon seems OK with this, it becomes clear rather quickly that he's frustrated, and maybe even a little hurt, by Leonard's quick decision to enact the clause. But when a blackout strikes their apartment building -- one of Sheldon's apocalypse scenarios -- Leonard and Sheldon are forced to hash things out.

Meanwhile, Wolowitz is getting ready for his big trip into space, but is frustrated that he doesn't yet have a NASA nickname, like everyone else on the team. Raj devises a plan to help him out by making the song "Rocket Man" Wolowitz's ring tone and then calling him while he's video chatting with his supervisor. Alas, in typical Wolowitz/Raj fashion, things don't go as planned, and he ends up with the nickname "fruit loops."

"The Friendship Contraction" felt like a second season episode, and I mean that as a compliment. The female leads were scaled way back, focusing on the male dynamic instead. Sheldon and Leonard hash out their frustrations, each with selfish motivation. Wolowitz and Raj hold their own in a fairly silly and ultimately very funny B-plot. We even get to visit Stuart (Kevin Sussman) at the comic book shop. (When are they going to give Stuart his own geeky comic shop spin-off already?)

Unfortunately, like many episodes of the show, none of the characters really grow or change in any way. Sheldon is still a selfish egomaniac, Leonard doesn't really stand up for himself, Wolowitz fails to escape the cloud of his mother, and Raj – well, nothing really happens to him. For a moment, the episode seemed like it was going somewhere interesting, exploring how Sheldon reacts when his feeling get hurt. But ultimately, this idea is tossed out in favor of a last-minute twist that ruins much of the progress he makes with Leonard.

The episode was, at least, quite funny. The Wolowitz/Raj B-plot was great. You knew it wasn't going to go well for Wolowitz, and it was a gas seeing it unfold. It's always a hoot when the "roommate agreement" comes into play, too. I really wish Chuck Lorre or CBS would provide a copy of the agreement for fans. I'd love to see the thing. And I imagine friends, couples and future roommates would jokingly use the contract in jest. Exploring the dynamic of Sheldon's selfishness is certainly interesting, and often ripe with comedy. But once again, it doesn't really go anywhere healthy, painting Sheldon as a crazy person on the edge of his own sanity. And like Leonard tells Penny, "sometimes crazy looks like sad so to suck you back in." Couldn't agree more.

Please note: I will be on vacation next week and won't be able to catch The Big Bang Theory on Thursday. But be sure to check back for my review of The Big Bang Theory on Saturday or Sunday.

R.L. Shaffer is a writer for IGN Blu-ray and IGN TV. You can follow him on Twitter @rlshafferIGN.

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