Hey, loyal FJ readers. Let's join our intrepid nerds for another week of Big Bang fun!

Sheldon and Amy are on another awkward date at the Cheesecake Factory, where they are entertained by their various nerdly pursuits. Penny is sarcastic as usual, Sheldon doesn't get it. Amy has news for him - she's going to work on a CalTech experiment for several months! Sheldon's thrilled to have a new driving buddy, and ignores all the workplace drama this could cause. No way this will ever come back to haunt him. Amy uses the expression "don't defecate where you eat," but has to explain its metaphorical meaning to Sheldon. He's thrilled that it doesn't mean (as he previously thought) that you can't use restaurant bathrooms, and heads off to do so. Opening credits.

Over an RPG, the guys discuss workplace romance. Howard thinks it's stupid, Raj claims his parents met in the workplace (except his mom was his dad's patient, ugh). Leonard's just happy to stop having to babysit Sheldon all the time. Howard insists he will never work with Bernadette, because spending so much time with Raj in and out of work "drove me into the arms of another woman". Sheldon is still okay with it - until he is told that the work hours will not, in fact, be deducted from their "weekly quota" of time spent together.

Amy tells her friends about her new job, which leads to Bernadette trying to cover up her semi-ethical experiments and Penny showing off her new science knowledge (courtesy of Mr. Phone). Sheldon bangs on the door. He tells Amy she can't work there, then tries to leave. She says it's too late. Sheldon explains that he was inspired by Howard's lack of interest in working with Bernadette. Amy says she is working there, and that is that. Since they're in a different building, it will be easy to keep their distance. Sheldon reluctantly accepts - or rather, gives permission.

Howard tries to dig his way out of the situation, saying that working together and living together is a bad combo (very true, just ask my roommate), but Bernadette's not having any of it. Sheldon keeps putting in comments to make it worse. Bernadette wonders if it's her voice, or perhaps her bossiness. Howard tries to fake a heart attack. Unfortunately, he grabs the wrong arm. For his troubles, he is kicked out of his home for the night. Sheldon takes this moment to rub in that he and Amy are fine.

The next day, Leonard taunts Howard and Raj over their "pajama party". Howard claims Sheldon caused this, but Sheldon recites physics facts to point out that everything causes everything. Amy walks by the table with a brief greeting, leading Leonard to comment that she must be upset. Sheldon assures him they're just fine. Riiiight.

Though Amy appears to be having a good time on her own, Sheldon decides she must be lonely and goes over to save her. Raj suggests to Howard that maybe Bernadette won't just give in and apologize. They start to argue - you guessed it - just like a couple. Over at Amy's table, Sheldon meets a Swedish professor and makes an ass of himself with stereotypes. He then humiliates himself and Amy further by getting all sentimental about their relationship. He thinks he's helping. He really does. Amy is furious, the other profs are mostly confused.

Amy continues her experiments, which mostly seem to involve scaring monkeys. Sheldon walks in, addressing her as Dr. Fowler and dismissing her work as "goofing off". He's done with work, so she "gets" to drive him home. She points out that she's busy, and doesn't feel like doing things for him after what he did at lunch. Sheldon is totally confused by this, but Amy explains how embarrassed she felt. He understands her "get out", all right.

Sheldon arrives home, having taken a very roundabout bus through "Little Sri Lanka" to get there. Penny and Leonard are wrapped up in each other but vaguely sympathetic. He also mentions that Amy was mad, but he doesn't know why. This gets their attention. Penny and Leonard are firmly Team Amy and tell him so, dismissing his protests. He is flummoxed.

Raj and Howard are continuing their buddy sleepover. There's a knock on the door. Bernadette arrives, and admits she overreacted. She feels insecure about his friends' position in his life, and was very hurt. It's a very tender moment between them. Naturally, Howard has to ruin by saying he'll turn over a new leaf - tomorrow.  Tonight he has to finish the new Batman game. Bernadette walks out, Raj suggests he go after her. "Thanks for getting me in trouble," Howard says, to Raj or Batman, I don't know which.

Sheldon turns up at Amy's place in the middle of the night to apologize. She is not thrilled to see him. He launches into his speech. All relationships are difficult, especially with weird people. She assures him he's not a weirdo, to which Sheldon says he wasn't talking about himself. Okay, she's finally going to break up with him, right? But no, no, he says he likes her just the way she is, she's charmed by it - until he makes another stupid comment and gets the door slammed in his face. Naturally, he just attributes this to her "weirdness". Another day, another ridiculous conflict. Grow a spine, Amy!

Bernadette swears that she will never apologize to Howard. Amy is the same way with Sheldon. Penny agrees, and says she's sure they've learned their lesson. Cut to the guys, who have most decidedly not learned any lessons and are instead popping balloons with lasers. Nerd on, boys, nerd on. End credits.

This episode was a tad repetitive, but I enjoyed the mellow pace. Even if Shamy never goes anywhere, it's still enjoyable. Bossy Bernadette can get boring, however. Also, did anyone feel like Penny and Leonard were barely in this? Oh well. Next week promises to be romance-heavy. Hold on to your hats. Until next time, I am CFK and this is Worldly Distractions!

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