The Big Bang Theory: The Hamburger Postulate

By Reggie's Take on April 22, 2013

The guys are at the Cheesecake Factory as they recreate the Battle of Gettysburg with major alterations. Penny comes to take their order, but Sheldon having never eaten there before asks what’s good. Penny tries to tell him it’s all good, but Sheldon begs Leonard as to why they can’t just go to Big Boy.

When Leslie Winkle shows up she asks Leonard if he would want to fill in on the physics department string quartet. Leonard agrees to fill-in seeing as he plays the cello and to have the practice at his apartment. Penny asks whether there is anything going on between Leslie and Leonard. Leonard denies it, but Sheldon speaks as he always does letting Penny know “He asked her out once, it was an embarrassing failure”. Penny makes the remark they would make a cute couple.

While the Physics Department Orchestra is rehearsing Leslie remarks to Leonard “I admire your fingering, maybe next time you can try that on my instrument”. After the rest of the Orchestra leaves for the night, Leonard and Leslie continue practicing alone, during such Leslie lets it be known she’s sexually available. After a brief conversation about Penny and “musical foreplay” Leonard and Leslie rush to his room.

A distressed Sheldon calls Penny to his apartment to interpret a “tie on the doorknob”. Penny explains to him that a tie on the doorknob usually means someone doesn’t want to be disturbed because they’re, you know, getting busy. When Penny inquires as to who might Leonard have with him, Sheldon, picking up a violin case, tells Penny he’s either with Lesley Winkle or a 1930’s gangster.

The following morning, Sheldon wakes up to a surprise. The equations on his white board have been tampered with. Although it solves the problem he was having, it still infuriates him. Leslie admits that she corrected his equations. Leonard bumps into Penny who asks him how it went last night, which makes Leonard ponder on whether he wants Penny or Leslie, though he settled for Leslie as she is currently making him happy.

Leonard tries to make his moments with Leslie more intimate, but Leslie reveals that there sexual intercourse had no emotional ties and that she’s good till New Years. This leaves Leonard a little heartbroken.

When Penny sees Leonard and Sheldon at the Cheesecake Factory she inquires as to how it’s going with Leslie. Leonard lets her know he doesn’t think it’s going to work out. Sheldon explains his interest for the Cheesecake Factory’s hamburger over Big Boy’s claiming the Cheesecake Factory’s has a much more satisfying meat to bun to condiment ratio.

The Big Bang Theory
The Hamburger Postulate
Season 1
DVD: Disc One
5th Epsiode
Aired: October 22, 2007