Now that we're settled into the new season (though I might add that no one has stopped complaining about Penny's haircut yet), it's time for the real drama to begin. Or, of course, more half-assed nerd jokes.

Howard practices pitching while the guys watch baseball on TV, though Raj tries to make it a "real experience" with the addition of some well-timed heckling. Sheldon is almost as supportive. It turns out that as an astronaut, Howard has been selected to throw out the first pitch at an Angels game. However, Sheldon maintains that their tenure on the local Quidditch team is just as  important. Howard continues to practice, but his friends completely hinder him. Opening credits.

Sheldon and Amy come back from a disastrous date, which Amy attributes to Sheldon's constant lecturing and know-it-allism. As Sheldon has missed a bunch of dates while on his Train Trip of Fecklessness, Amy is now holding him to the Relationship Agreement and forcing him to meet the yearly quota. This results in a double date being planned for Penny, Leonard, Sheldon and Amy, though this was initially because Sheldon believed a "double date" counted as two dates. Penny and Leonard take this with a bit of trepidation, to say the least. Meanwhile, Bernadette offers to give Howard some baseball tips, which confuse and intimidate him. She decides that more work is needed.

The double date causes a great amount of strife among the four parties, who can't figure out where to go. While they're heading out, Sheldon mentions that his relationship with Amy is better than Leonard and Penny's - objectively. In fact, they rank below Bernadette and Howard, Raj and his current girlfriend, and Penny and Chardonnay.

Howard, Bernadette and Raj head on their own date, to a gymnasium to practice more pitching. Howard is awkward! Bernadette is bossy! Raj is a third wheel! God, this storyline is getting tedious, fast. The double date is also veering rapidly off course, in which everyone argues about whose relationship is better, Sheldon compares his relationship with the US constitution, and Amy makes an awkward joke about flag underwear. Par for the course.

Over dinner, they continue to argue over the relationship drama. Sheldon insists that a relationship's value is, in fact, quantifiable, and brings out a study to prove it. In fact, they've scored an 8.2, a sure sign of their compatibility. Leonard wants to take it, but Penny refuses, clearly upset, though she insists that it's just a silly quiz. Finally, she confesses to Leonard that she's worried their relationship won't survive, since they have so little in common. Leonard admits similar fears, which worries her even further.

Still an athletic catastrophe, Howard calls his good friend Mike Massimino for advice. The astronaut sensibly tells him that it's all pointless anyway, since he'll either go completely unnoticed or wind up looking like an idiot. Back on the date, Amy attempts to apologize for ruining the evening with the test, but Sheldon pushes them to take the test. Finally, Penny gives up and goes for it. However, Leonard stops her from doing so with a choice romantic comment. Amy sighs with jealousy, but Sheldon maintains that getting an 8.2 speaks for itself.

The entire gang shows up at the baseball game to watch Howard humiliate himself. Before the pitch, he gives a little speech about how he may not be an athlete, but he is a scientist. Instead of throwing the ball, he will have it delivered - by a prototype of the Mars Rover. Because Howard is the real genius on this show. Unfortunately, it moves at a snail's pace, and soon everyone is bored and heckling him, including his so-called friends. See, folks, this is why you should never try. 

Ultimately, though the episode had its moments, it felt rather inconsequential. The conflicts weren't really addressed particularly well, there wasn't really much in the way of jokes, and ultimately, very little actually happened. With this combination, the episode really didn't play very well. I do have to say, though, that Howard's failed performance at the game was inspired. All things considered, though, I would safely classify this one as "forgettable" - as almost all the season has been so far. Er, maybe the fourth time's the charm? We'll find out next week!

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