Season synopsis
Contains spoilers for this season and earlier seasons.
Howard begins the season still aboard the International Space Station, where he worries about telling his mother that he and Bernadette plan to live together. Once back on Earth, he struggles to stop making the mission the centre of every conversation and to settle into married life. Bernadette helps him adjust, and their home becomes part of the group’s routine. The distance and return have tested the newlyweds, but the season shows them sharing ordinary domestic problems as well as the memories of his flight.
Penny and Leonard remain together, though Penny briefly questions whether she is ready to stay in the relationship. Leonard proposes again, and Penny admits that the prospect of marriage frightens her even though she is happy with him. He promises not to keep proposing and leaves the decision with her. Near the end of the season, Leonard is offered a four-month research expedition in the North Sea. Penny encourages him to take the opportunity, and he departs with their relationship intact. Sheldon also grows more attentive to Amy, but his cautious approach to physical intimacy continues to set the pace.
Raj meets Lucy at the comic-book store and starts dating her, but her social anxiety makes dates and group introductions difficult. He tries to arrange a gradual introduction to his friends; Lucy is overwhelmed by the group meeting and does not arrive at Leonard’s going-away party. Raj receives her breakup text there and leaves hurt. After Leonard’s airport send-off, Penny checks on him. Raj realizes he can now talk with her without needing a drink, a change that emerges as he discusses losing Lucy.