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"The Meemaw Materialization" is the fourteenth episode of the ninth season of the American sitcom The Big Bang Theory. This episode first aired on Thursday, February 4, 2016.

Summary[]

Meemaw visits Pasadena and gets to meet Amy. Meemaw seems to have an axe to grind with her over the breakup. Sheldon comes to Amy's defense, but not before Meemaw lets a little secret of his slip out—that he has an engagement ring for Amy. Raj meets a cute blonde woman named Claire who wants to work with him.

Extended Plot[]

Entering the lobby to get his mail, Sheldon tells Leonard and Penny an interesting mail fact. If someone breaks his right thumb outside of the mailbox, they are under the jurisdiction of the Pasadena police. If it's his left thumb is in the mailbox, that is under federal jurisdiction and the F.B.I. would be involved. Leonard quips to Penny that if he were to go to jail, it would be because he killed Sheldon. Sheldon receives a letter from his Meemaw that he lets Penny sniff. Roses, Ben-Gay and Dr. Scholl's foot powder, which Penny describes as "Grandma by Calvin Klein". In the letter she describes how she got a new set of teeth and then found her old ones and that she is coming to visit.

At the airport, Sheldon checks her GPS location through the iPhone that was unknowingly slipped into her luggage by Sheldon's sister; the phone is technically their grandmother's, but she's not aware that she owns one. Meemaw walks into the waiting room calling Sheldon Moonpie. Leonard is pleased to meet her and also calls her Meemaw. Sheldon snaps at Leonard that he has to call her Constance and that he should call his grandmother "Meemaw", even though she died when Leonard was 4 years old. Meemaw makes him apologize for being rude. Leonard asks her if she could live with them forever.

Fe8

Meemaw comes to Pasadena and meets Leonard


MMM4

Raj meets an interesting girl named Claire.

At the comic book store, Howard and Raj are in a long discussion about the attributes of the movie Frozen. A cute blonde woman next to them adds her own factoids to their argument and then joins in. She is shocked that they had been arguing about it for an hour.

Meemaw is resting in Sheldon's spot after climbing what she describes as 800 flights of stairs. Sheldon thinks that her huffing and puffing was so cute. Sheldon gets really excited as Amy arrives to meets Meemaw. He is sure that they will hit it off since they both have the same fashion sense. They both greet each other and Amy asks about her flight. Sheldon wants her to ask for a tissue so that his grandmother can pull one out of her sleeve just like grandma Spiderman. Sheldon runs off to get her room ready, but not to look in her suitcase for any presents. He might find her brassieres and bloomers. Meemaw then gets honest with Amy. She came to Pasadena to "size her up." Amy retorts that she'll probably like her once she gets to know her. Meemaw snaps that she better hope so. Sheldon runs in excited about the train set that she brought him.

At the comic book store, Raj and Howard sit down with the woman whose name is Claire and talk about the comic she was reading. Raj introduces himself and Howard. She is a screenwriter/bartender/a month away from living in her car. Raj admits that he is an astrophysicist which excites Claire. She wants to pick Raj's brain for her screenplay, an animated sci-fi film for kids. She give him her phone number and then takes off. Howard wonders about his girlfriend Emily. Raj is going to help Claire, but not mention it to his girlfriend.

MMM9

Bernadette's fake smile.

Leonard and Penny have joined everyone in 4A. Meemaw turns down Penny's offer of wine, but does want her tall glass of whiskey. Amy asks why she calls him Moonpie. He's so nummy-nummy she "could just eat him up". Leonard and Penny join in the explanation. Penny learned it years ago while going through Meemaw's letters to Sheldon ("The Terminator Decoupling"). Meemaw wants to know why Amy didn't know that. Sheldon replies that she never bothered to ask. "Now I know," snaps Amy. Meemaw talks to Penny about her new job. She thinks it's wonderful that these modern gals have it all. Amy has a job and a relationship which doesn't set well with Meemaw. Besides Sheldon takes a lot of caring for and Leonard's job is more of a hobby according to Sheldon. Amy tells her that maybe she knows more what Sheldon needs. Meemaw appreciates her honesty and is honest with and says that she doesn't like her. Amy replies that maybe she doesn't like her. Sheldon gets upset that they have to like each other. Amy decides that she should leave. Meemaw exclaims that under no circumstances should he give her that engagement ring. That stops Amy cold. What? Leonard tries to get Penny to leave with him, but she is insistent on staying. Sheldon admits to Amy that he has one. Amy then asks Penny if she knew about it; however, realizing the situation, Penny leaves with Leonard since she didn't want to answer Amy's question. Amy finds out that he has had it since before they broke up. Meemaw reiterates that her ring is never going to be on this woman's finger. Sheldon doesn't want to correct her Meemaw and Amy says that she might not want to be engaged to Sheldon or have her old hand-me-downs. Sheldon argues that they have only known each other for less than a day and then wonders if their menstrarion cycle|cycles have synced. Meemaw tells Sheldon to leave so that the grownups can talk.

While fixing dinner, Bernadette summarizes Raj's dilemma as they met, exchanged phone numbers and are meeting just to discuss her screenplay. That seemed okay with her. Howard insists that something was going on between them. "A little flirting never hurt" replies Bernadette, "but don't you do it, my dear husband." Raj still wonders if Emily is the right person for him.

Leonard and Penny are in her apartment talking about Penny's grandmother. The most exciting thing about her was wondering if the ash from her cigarette would fall into her pudding, which it did (she even ate it). Sheldon joins them and explains that Meemaw and Amy are having a private discussion. And he wants one of them to go over and get his train set.

While having dinner, Raj has decided to call Claire and also tell her that he is in a relationship. Howard and Bernadette figure that he has decided to breakup with Emily. He gets Claire at her job and she wonders when he is free. Raj first wants to tell her that he has a girlfriend. She thinks that that is great. Raj doesn't want to mislead her since she asked him out. It was only to discuss her screenplay she insists. Raj thought they had a vibe together which she reluctantly admits to. Raj asks them what his next move should be. Bernadette says that he still has a girlfriend. Raj agrees and wishes Claire good luck on her screen play. Claire wonders why two adults can't get together. Raj was already planning their wedding. It's just coffee, science and if Raj proposes she promises to say "no". She'll text him later. Raj is still not planning on telling Emily about this. 

MeemawMat

Sheldon standing up for Amy.

Amy tells Meemaw that she is still Sheldon's best shot and that she has no idea how much she had to put up with. Meemaw replies that she knows her better than she thinks. She had to live with Sheldon's Pop-pop who was also a stubborn, egotistical man. On some days, she wanted to fill his pockets with corn and throw him to the hogs. Then why was she giving Amy such a hard time? She says it's because Amy broke up with him and it hurt him really deeply and she doesn't want that to happen again. The other guys return with Penny explaining that Sheldon has something to say. He disagrees, but then tells his grandmother that he has to defend his girlfriend. Amy is very thankful. Sheldon watched his grandparents and saw how she made his Pop-pop a better person. He has been working on improving Amy the last five years. Amy rephrases it as they have grown together. Sheldon gawks at it until Penny makes him agree. Meemaw concedes that if they feel that strongly, she won't stand in their way. Sheldon thanks her and then Amy asks if it's okay for Sheldon to give her the ring. Meemaw says "I suppose", as Amy breaks into a big smile and strokes Sheldon's shoulder. Sheldon tells her to cool her jets since he just gave her his virginity.

Raj is helping Claire at the comic book store. She doesn't want her screenplay to be too scary for children. Raj starts dreaming about having a family with her. They have a son and baby who is currently being fed by Claire. Raj is finishing explaining to his son how his parents met. Claire asks if he is ever going to tell Emily. He still plans to.

Credits[]

Notes[]

  • Title Reference: Meemaw visits Sheldon and Amy in Pasadena.
  • Taping date: January 12, 2016
  • This episode was watched by 15.17 million people with a rating of 3.7 (adults 18–49).
  • Total viewers including DVR users 20.62 million.
  • The Big Bang Theory was ranked #1 for the week ending February 7, 2016.
  • This episode aired in Canada on February 4, 2016.
  • In the United Kingdom, this episode aired on April 7, 2016.
  • Chuck Lorre's vanity card
  • Episode transcript [1]

Critics[]

  • Jesse Schedeen of IGN - The idea that Meemaw would finally appear in the flesh was an enticing one. Sadly, "The Meemaw Materialization" did very little with this long-awaited guest appearance....The conflict did take an interesting swerve when it became clear that Meemaw wasn't simply paying a friendly visit to Pasadena. It was interesting to see so much friction between Meemaw and her potential future granddaughter-in-law, especially since Amy is poorly equipped to handle that sort of situation on the best of days. But this conflict lost its edge when it was revealed that Meemaw was simply worried about Sheldon getting hurt again. That made the whole ordeal seem like a lot of fuss over nothing. Not to mention that Sheldon more than deserved that breakup, so seeing Amy taken to task for hurting his feelings was a little frustrating. The best that can be said for this storyline is that it forced Sheldon to choose between his devotion to his grandmother and his loyalty to his girlfriend. [2]
  • IMDb user reviews [3]

Trivia[]

  • Meemaw makes her first appearance in the show, played by June Squibb.
  • Meemaw is similar to Amy Farrah Fowler as she put up with her husband, who was similar to Sheldon Cooper.
  • Meemaw's first name is Constance.
  • Amy finally finds out about the engagement ring. Penny didn't tell her.
  • Amy meets another member of Sheldon's family while being his bona fide girlfriend. They had just met when Sheldon's mother got them back together in season 4.
  • New story arc for Raj - a love triangle involving new character Claire, played by Alessandra Torresani.
  • Meemaw, unfortunately, doesn't meet Raj, Bernadette and Howard throughout this episode.
  • Bernadette is only seen in two scenes at the kitchen of the Wolowitz house with Howard and Raj in this episode and each of those three (Bernadette, Howard and Raj) don't come to Apartment 4A to meet Meemaw with Sheldon, Amy, Leonard and Penny throughout this episode. 
  • Bernadette doesn't get to meet another member of Sheldon's family (Meemaw). Bernadette still hasn't met Sheldon's mother since the previous season episode of "The Maternal Combustion" (S8E23) and her two non-appearances in Season 4's "The Zazzy Substitution" (S4E3) and Season 5's "The Rhinitis Revelation" (S5E6).
  • Bernadette, Raj and Howard share no Apartment 4A scenes with the 'Lenny' couple and the 'Shamy' duo in this episode and those three gang members (Bernadette, Raj and Howard), unfortunately, don't meet Meemaw with Penny, Leonard, Amy and Sheldon throughout this episode either, which is similar to Penny, Leonard, Sheldon and Amy not coming to the Wolowitz house to meet Bernadette's father (Mike Rostenkowski) with Bernadette, Raj and Howard in the other season 9 episode "The Spock Resonance" (S9E7) or Howard's half-brother Josh Wolowitz in season 8's "The Fortification Implementation" (S8E20) (whom they should meet soon).
  • The Wolowitz's remodeled kitchen is seen for the first time.
  • As soon as Sheldon leaves the room, Meemaw attacks Amy and says she doesn't like her, but in "The Clean Room Infiltration", Amy says she had called Meemaw and asked for the recipe for her special cookies.
    • Though, she was just angry with Amy for hurting Sheldon when she broke up with him. As for the recipe, Meemaw could've relented when she learned it was for her Moonpie.
  • Howard said he had no reservations about dating Bernadette, even though he felt she wasn't pretty enough for him in The Vengeance Formulation.
  • Leonard and Penny found out about the nickname 'Moonpie' in The Terminator Decoupling (S2E17).

Quotes[]

Sheldon: Here's a fun Postal fact. Yeah, the inner side of our mailbox is under federal jurisdiction. So, if you broke my right thumb, that's Pasadena city police. But if you broke my left thumb, that's the FBI.
Leonard: If I'm going to jail, I'm killing him, not breaking his thumb.
Penny: Yeah.
Sheldon: Oh, I got a letter from my Meemaw. Umm. Smell this.
Penny: What is that?
Sheldon: Uh, roses, Ben-Gay, and Dr. Scholls' foot powder.
Penny: Yeah, "Grandma", by Calvin Klein. Yeah, the last time I got a hand written letter, it was from someone who told me I parked like a blind person.
Leonard: That someone has a name.
Sheldon: Uh, thank you. Oh, Meemaw got a new set of teeth. Oh, but then she found her old ones. Oh, so now the new ones are just gonna be her church teeth. Fun.
Leonard: Like your Comic-Con Spock ears and your around the house Spock ears.
Penny: I park fine.
Sheldon: Oh, my goodness, she's coming to visit!
Leonard: Oh, it'll be nice to finally meet her.
Sheldon: Oh, you are going to love her. She is the kindest, sweetest woman you'll ever meet. Yeah, unless you're a gopher digging up her vegetable garden. In that case, you can expect to have your head bashed in with a shovel.

Bernadette: (she's very cross with Raj) Okay, so you met this girl, you exchanged numbers, and you're gonna meet up with her.
Raj: Just to help her with her screenplay.
Bernadette: Oh. Well, I guess that's not so bad.
Howard: You weren't there. He was really flirting.
Raj: Hey, it's not my fault if American women project their fantasies on foreigners with the kind of magical voice that grants wishes.
Bernadette: I'm sure it was harmless. People flirt. No big deal.
Howard: Really? So it's okay if I fl...
Bernadette: (crossly) Not you. I own your ass. (To Raj) The real question is, where are you with Emily?
Raj: Uh, it's hard to say. I think we're good, but things like this make me wonder if Emily's really the right person for me. I mean, did you guys ever have doubts about each other?
Howard: No. Never.
Bernadette: Absolutely.
Howard: What?
Bernadette: Howie, you forget how much of our early dates involved you doing magic and me doing this. (nodding with a fake smile.)
Howard: Fine. I had reservations about you, too.
Bernadette: No, you didn't.
Howard: No, I didn't.
Bernadette: Well, it doesn't matter now, 'cause I love how things worked out.
Howard: Me, too. And I think you're even more beautiful than this rose. (nods and fake smiles again)

Raj: Yeah, see, if you just change the story to the destruction of our galaxy, then a super massive black hole could work.
Claire: This is great. Thank you so much. I just got to figure out a way for everyone to die that isn't too scary for children.
(cut to Raj's daydream)
Raj: And that's how Mommy and Daddy met.
Claire: Hey, did you ever tell Emily about us?
Raj: I will!

[Leonard and Sheldon are at the airport terminal, waiting for Meemaw to depart the plane]

Sheldon: [has been saying "That's not her." every time he sees someone leave the plane who isn't her, eventually getting on Leonard's nerves when he says it too many times; an elderly man walks past Sheldon] That's not her.

Leonard: [sarcastically] Really, the old Asian man is not your Meemaw?


Sheldon: Are you comfortable?
Meemaw: Very. It’s nice to rest after 800 flights of stairs.
Sheldon: You were so cute huffin’ and puffin’. [Knocking.] There’s Amy. I know you’re gonna just hit it off. You have the same fashion sense. Hello. Come in, say hi to my Meemaw.
Amy: Hi. Nice to meet you. How was your trip?
Meemaw: Wonderful. And the pilot did such a good job, I gave him a butterscotch.
Amy: That’s great. And look at you, sitting in Sheldon’s spot. You’ know, I don’t even get to sit there.
Sheldon: Yeah. And you never will. Oh, hey, oh. Ask her to do the tissue thing. Do it, ask her.
Amy: Can I have a tissue?
Meemaw: Of course. (does the tissue trick: pulling one out of her sleeve)
Sheldon: [Laughs] Isn’t that the best? She’s like Grandma Spider-man.
Meemaw: He’s been saying that since he was little. I still don’t know what it means.
Sheldon: Oh well, you two sit down and get to know each other. I’ll get your room ready.
Meemaw: Oh, don’t you go looking through my suitcase for presents.
Sheldon: If I did, would I find any?
Meemaw: Maybe. But you might also find my brassieres and bloomers.
Sheldon: That’s a risk I’m willing to take.
Amy: Well, this is nice. He’s so excited to have you here and…
Meemaw: Okay. Now let’s you and me get something straight. He may think I came here to bake him cookies, but the real reason is to size you up.
Amy: S..s..size me up?
Meemaw: Sheldon’s mother may be okay with you, but I’m not so easy.
Amy: Well, I’m…I’m sure you’ll like me once you get to know me.
Meemaw: Oh, you better hope so.
Sheldon: A Texas Special cattle and calf car train set with authentic horn and bell! Thank you, Meemaw!
Meemaw: Oh, you’re welcome, Moonpie.
Sheldon: Amy, why don’t you look excited? You get to watch me play with it.

Penny: Constance, are you sure I can’t poor you some wine?
Meemaw: Oh, no wine for me. Sheldon’s bringing me my whiskey.
Sheldon: Here you go Meemaw. I made it just how you like—a lot in a glass.
Meemaw: Thank you, Moonpie.
Amy: Um, curious. Why do you call Sheldon “Moon Pie”?
Meemaw: Cause he’s so nummy-nummy…
Leonard & Penny: She could just eat him up.
Sheldon: And I call her Meemaw, because, well, just, well, look at her.
Meemaw: It’s interesting that Leonard and Penny know about his nickname and you don’t.
Amy: Oh, well, you know, now-now that I’m hearing it, it does sound familiar.
Sheldon: How could it? I never told you, and you never bothered to ask.
Amy: Well, now I know. Yeah.
Meemaw: Well, Penny I understand you have a new job.
Penny: Yes. I’m a pharmaceutical sales rep.
Meemaw: Oh, it’s so wonderful you modern gals can have it all. A husband and a full-time career.
Amy: I have a relationship and a full-time career, too.
Meemaw: That doesn’t bode well.
Amy: Why not? You-you just said its okay for her to work.
Meemaw: Well, Leonard doesn’t need as much tending to as Sheldon does. And as Moonpie explained, Leonard’s work is more of a hobby.
Leonard: (annoyed) That’s my best friend.
Amy: Look, I-I get your protective of your grandson, but he’s an adult know. Maybe I understand what he needs better than you.
Meemaw: I appreciate your honesty, dear.
Amy: Thank you.
Meemaw: And here’s some more honesty. I don’t like you very much.
Amy: Well, maybe I don’t like you either.
Sheldon: No, no, no, no, no, no, no. Y-you have to like each other. Well, we have a 4:30 reservation at Applebee’s.
Amy: I think I should leave.
Sheldon: But why? Other than you two fighting, we’re having such a good time.
Amy: The minute you left the room, your precious meemaw started giving me a really hard time. I don’t need this.
Meemaw: Let her go. And under no circumstance will you give her that engagement ring.
(Amy stops in her tracks)
Amy: What ring?
Leonard: Maybe we should give them some privacy.
Penny: Yeah, yeah, yeah. You go ahead. I’ll catch up with you.
Amy: You have an engagement ring?
Sheldon: Yes.
Amy: Penny, did you know about this?
Penny: All right, let’s go. [Hofstadters exit]
Amy: When did you get an engagement ring?
Sheldon: My mother gave it to me, and I had been thinking of giving it to you, but then we broke up.
Meemaw: Well, thank heavens for that.
Amy: Sheldon, will you please tell your grandmother to stay out of this?
Sheldon: Oh, I don’t think I could do that.
Meemaw: Sheldon, tell this girl that my ring will never be on her finger.
Sheldon: I’m going to opt out of that one, too.
Amy: Who said I even want to be engaged to him? And if I do, I..I don’t need your hand-me-downs.
Sheldon: All right, all right. Look, let’s all…let’s remain calm and analyze this situation. Now, I realize that you’ve only known each other for less than a day, but is it possible this crankiness is because you cycles have synced?
Meemaw: You leave the room and let the grown-ups talk. Now.
Amy: You don’t speak to him like he’s a child.
Sheldon: Thank you. I’m gonna go next door to play with Leonard.

Amy: Look, I know you don’t think I’m right for Sheldon, but trust me. I’m his best shot. You have no idea how much I put up with!
Meemaw: I know more than you think I do.
Amy: Really? You know what it’s like to have date night ruined because Google changes their font?
Meemaw: Young lady, if you think I don’t know what it’s like to live with a stubborn egoistical man, then you’re wrong. ‘Cause that was my husband.
Amy: Really?
Meemaw: [Sigh.] There were days I wanted to fill his pockets with corn and toss him in the pigpen.
Amy: Well, if you understand, then why are you giving me such a hard time?
Meemaw: Because when you broke up with Sheldon, it hurt him deeply, and I don’t want to see that happen again.
Penny: Hi. Sorry. Sheldon would like to say something to you.
Sheldon: No. I wouldn’t.
Leonard: Just, get in here.
Sheldon: Hello.
Penny: Go ahead.
Sheldon: Meemaw, look. I’m sorry, but…I have to defend my girlfriend to you.
Amy: Oh, Sheldon, thank you.
Sheldon: Oh, great. Now you’re gonna get emotional. I always looked up to you and Pop-pop. I..I know what a challenging man he could be, but I saw how you stand by him and-and make him a better person.
Meemaw: I did.
Sheldon: Yeah, well that is exactly what I have been doing for the last five years with this little work in progress.
Leonard: He never disappoints, does he?
Amy: I think what Sheldon means to say is we’ve both grown together. Isn’t that right?
Sheldon: Well…
Penny: Say yes.
Sheldon: Yes.
Meemaw: Fine. If you feel so strongly, I won’t stand in your way.
Sheldon: Thank you.
Amy: So if he wanted to give me that engagement ring, we would have your blessing?
Meemaw: I suppose.
Sheldon: [Amy, smiles at Sheldon hoping to get engaged.] I just gave you my virginity, woman. Cool your jets.

Gallery[]


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