So while the rest of you were binge watching Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, I took a break and caught up with this week's Big Bang. Was it worth it? Well, nothing's worth missing Ellie Kemper in light-up shoes, but it's close.

Sheldon recites Pi to 1,000 places, which Amy pretends to enjoy. Leonard and Sheldon's paper has been covered in a magazine. The article doesn't mention Leonard at all, making it seem as if Leonard had no part in it. Sheldon claims he didn't intend this. Amy feels bad for him. Sheldon doesn't understand why - after all, he did nothing wrong. Finally, he figures it out. He decides to try to make Leonard feel better. Be very afraid. Opening credits.

Howard, Raj and Bernadette sort through Debbie Wolowitz's things. Howard thanks his friend for providing moral support. Sheldon tries to broach the magazine story tactfully, which does not go well. However, I will give it to him that he tries his best. He even gives Lenny a shoulder massage. Leonard tries to put it nicely, saying that the theory is all that matters. Sheldon ruins the moment by comparing himself to the massively wealthy and famous Stan Lee.

Meanwhile, everyone arrives at Debbie's, where Stuart is still living. They discover that the power's been out for hours. Howard freaks out because the food in the fridge is melting - the last food his mother ever made. Bernadette suggests putting it in their own freezer. Howarrd rejects this idea, declaring that they will instead eat it on the spot. They'll make it into a group dinner and invite all their friends. It'll be Mrs. Wolowitz's last hurrah.

Penny tries to comfort Leonard about the article, but since she knows nothing about science, her words don't mean much. Instead, she decides to take him shopping. Sheldon even tries to correct things with the magazine's editor. However, the journalists are seriously into Sheldon's work and are perfectly happy ignoring his collaborator.

On their way to Wolowitz's, Amy and Sheldon argue about whether Leonard should be credited or not. Penny and Leonard, in another car, have the same conversation. Still without power, Raj and Howard and Bernadette clean out the freezer, which includes cake from Howard's bar mitzvah (shudder). He remarks that his mother thought she could cure anything with cooking, including food poisoning from said cooking. Bernadette embraces him, and they promise to keep it together. Everyone arrives for a candlelit dinner. Sheldon and Leonard are still very much on the outs. Howard assures his friend that despite the circumstances, it's not a sad occasion. Penny urges the guys to behave, since Howard is the important one in this scenario. Stuart innocently asks how their paper is going.

The dinner turns out to be delicious, and no one has died yet. Sheldon compares it to a salon. Raj introduces a "salon topic", which involves gender equality in popular franchises. Penny is not into it, and soon makes fun of the topic. Leonard introduces a new topic about ideas vs execution, which is very clearly about the article. Soon enough, the men start to argue. Everyone else urges them to shut up. Soon enough, though, the two are scrapping like it's The View. Finally, Bernadette gets sick of it and drags the two into the living room. Sounding exactly like Mrs. Wolowitz, she completely chews them out and threatens to take away their dessert.

After the meal, they're so overstuffed that they can't get off the couch. Sheldon finds an article that mentions the paper and gives Leonard his due. However, everyone is much more interested in Bernadette bringing Tums. Ah well, you can't win 'em all.

And really, that's what I have to say about this week. It rehashed endless elements of the show (Leonard vs Sheldon, Penny being not-so-bright) without adding much that was new. The only highlight was Howard's poignant goodbye to his mother, acted beautifully by Simon Helberg. So it wasn't the greatest episode. But well, there's always next time.

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