- Sheldon gets upset about his career, the destruction of the comic book store and Leonard and Penny's future living arrangements. Howard and Bernadette struggle to keep hold of a caregiver for Mrs. Wolowitz.
- Leonard and Penny's good news that they are engaged and Raj's that he has had sex with Emily are tempered by Howard and Bernadette's problem of not being able to keep any professional help to take care of his mother, and Sheldon's that the university will not let him change his area of research from string theory to inflationary cosmology, as string theory was the reason they hired him and the area for which he has received all his grants. What's worse for Sheldon, who cannot handle change that is not initiated by him, is that Leonard and Penny contemplate a living situation that may not include him, while Amy tries to capitalize on that fact for her own benefit. And a place that Sheldon considers a sanctuary is temporarily out of commission, which may be indirectly a benefit for Howard and Bernadette. With all these changes in his life, Sheldon may have some tough choices to make, all of which, in his mind, are less desirable that what had been his life up to this point.—Huggo
- While unpacking dinner at Sheldon and Leonard's place, Howard explains how to date they have lost two nurses because his mother is so impossible. Leonard reaches for Penny's hand and the two of them announce that their engagement. Raj announces that he spent the night with Emily. The group is more excited for Raj. Leonard and Penny propose all the time, which Bernadette points out, but this never happens with Raj.
At Caltech, Raj says that he is so hungry since he had sex the other night. Sheldon arrives and is upset because President Siebert won't let him change his field of study to inflationary cosmology since he was hired to work on string theory and all his grant money is designated for that field. Sheldon is tempted to leave the university. Howard offers him a job looking after his mother. Leonard tells him to not make any rash decisions.
At his mother's house, Howard and Bernadette lose their third caretaker who leaves saying that life is too short. They are worried that the agency won't send anyone new. Bernie doesn't want to use up her vacation being a nurse; she wants to go to Hawaii, not "Hell". She accepts that Howard's family's problems are hers too and then kids him as she asks for a divorce.
Leonard contacts his mother (Christine Baranski) and has an announcement for her. Sheldon has already told her about his engagement to Penny. He hates that she talks to Sheldon more than him, but declines to communicate to his mother on a more frequent basis. She has had her misgivings about Penny, but because of Sheldon's admiration, she is good enough for her. Leonard is annoyed that his mother's focus is on herself, and not on who might be good enough for him.
Penny calls home and tells her mother about her engagement. She explains that he is the scientist who works with lasers and "atomic magnets" that she has been seeing for years. Her mother is happy that she is not pregnant, which is a first for their family. Amy scoffs at the term "atomic magnets". Bernadette arrives late after caring for her mother-in-law. Her advice to Penny is that she is also marrying his family. Bernadette says the issue is not whether her mother-in-law likes her, but whether she can go to the toilet by herself. Penny quips that she is not working, and Bernadette pipes in with "You're not working?" She offers Penny the job of taking care of her mother-in-law and will pay her "anything she wants". Penny tries to do it; however, after a very short while she tells them to keep their money.
Sheldon is composing a letter to the faculty senate as an appeal to change their decision. His letter contains his usual condescending attitude that they won't understand what he does. Leonard wants to discuss their living arrangements. Sheldon figures that Leonard wants to preserve the myth of Penny's virginity before the get married. Instead, Leonard wants to move in with Penny. Sheldon offers a one-day a week trial period except "when she is cranky during her monthly time shedding her uterus lining". Leonard thanks him; however, he notes that he and Penny want to move in together... without Sheldon. He doesn't understand! Leonard realizes that change is scary for Sheldon. One suggestion is that he and Penny live in apartment 4A and Sheldon could move in across the hall. Sheldon wonders if Leonard has "taken a marijuana", or if he has been hit in the head with a coconut. Sheldon is incensed that Leonard wants to consider his fiance's well-being over his. He stomps off to his bedroom.
Later, Sheldon is at Amy's place complaining about all the changes: the university won't let him change his field of study, and Leonard doesn't want to live with him anymore. Amy points out that he is always complaining how lousy a roommate Leonard is and maybe it would be good for him to live alone. Amy then continues by saying that if it turns out that he doesn't like living alone, and then maybe they could move in together. Sheldon screams that she would "love that", and "why don't we get engaged, buy a house, start a family and spend our sunset years together!" Sheldon demands that nothing change and everything stay the way it is. He also points out that Amy also made the Quik with the syrup instead of the powder; it tastes better this way, and he dislikes it.
Leonard & Penny begin to talk about a date for the wedding. She wants it to fit into her brother's schedule, who is "out in 12 to 18 months depending on good behavior" (meaning he is still in prison). Amy comes in looking for Sheldon who stormed off and isn't answering his phone. She mentions that he flipped out over her suggestion that he move out so they could live together.
Stuart is sweeping his blackened and wet comic book store that is in complete disarray. Sheldon enters and Stuart tells him that the store was damaged by a fire due to an accident with a hot plate. He was across the street using the car wash as a shower. Stuart tells him that he won't re-open until after he talks to the insurance company. Stuart levels with Sheldon that his life is falling apart at the moment. Sheldon then goes on about all his troubles including a girlfriend that loves!! him so much that she wants him to move in with her. Also, the comic book store is damp and smells funny. Sheldon offers to help Stuart get back on his feet and tries to buy a comic book. Stuart asks for $2.99 and Sheldon says that it's wet; Stuart drops the price to a dollar. Sheldon storms out after telling Stuart he is not the only one whose day was a disaster.
Leonard and Penny are watching television, and Leonard gets worried because Sheldon hasn't come home. He uses his cell phone to track him down; Leonard has known his password ever since Sheldon wandered off chasing a balloon when they attended a swap meet. Leonard finds out that he is at the train station. Penny tells him how sweet he is to worry about Sheldon; however, Leonard is just doing it because his mother would kill him if anything ever happened to Sheldon.
Raj and Howard are surveying the damage at the comic book store. They wonder if he did it for the insurance money, which Stuart admits that everybody else thought. Stuart is looking for a place to sleep, but doesn't want to prevent Raj from having his sleepover with Emily. Howard says that he has a place where he could stay and earn some money, but it does come with humiliation, verbal abuse and degradation. Stuart still asks him what the catch is.
Penny and Leonard find Sheldon at the Los Angeles Union train station Sheldon nonchalantly comments that he is merely getting on a train and leaving forever. He has no clothes so he will be stopping at malls and buying what he needs (in his words 'living off the land"). Leonard wants him to come home and work things out, while Sheldon feels that he's passed the breaking point. Penny says that they should let him go and that it will be good for him. Penny tells Leonard that "he taught him well, Padawan". Sheldon scoffs because Padawan was the student and not the teacher in Star Wars. Leonard wishes him good luck and Penny kisses him on the cheek telling him to be safe and call them.
At Howard's mother's house, Stuart loves his new job. He sees Howard and Bernadette sitting in the living room and tells them to go home. Howard's mom calls him "Stewie" and Stuart is calling her "Debbie". Even though the situation is weird, Stuart still insists they leave, and they do so willingly.
At apartment 4A, Amy is on the phone with Sheldon. She finishes her call and says that he was happy and sounded good. Penny says that it is all for the best. Leonard adds that he took a sabbatical as Amy attacks him with a pillow screaming "How could you let him go?!?!"
Title reference: The various changes in the characters' lives changing the current status
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