Leonard Nimoy's TBBT cameo paid the perfect homage to the legendary Star Trek actor and I couldn't have been happier about it

In The Big Bang Theory, Sheldon Cooper’s (played by Jim Parsons) admiration for Star Trek especially Mr. Spock (played by Leonard Nimoy) is an established fact.

Sheldon’s fascination with the character has been frequently explored in the storylines through the show’s twelve-season run. Leonard Nimoy did not appear on the show, however, he did provide his voice in one of the episodes in Season 5, episode 20 titled ‘The Transporter Malfunction.’

As per The Hollywood Reporter, Nimoy had shared his appreciation for the show after filming for the episode. He said,

“I thoroughly enjoyed myself. (They’re) a talented company and a smart show; they made me welcome.”

Star Trek: The Original Series first aired in 1966. Mr. Spock, the half-human, half-Vulcan first officer aboard the USS Enterprise became a global sensation and remains an iconic character even after decades. The Big Bang Theory was also instrumental in introducing Star Trek to a whole new audience.

Whether it is the famous ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors, Lizard, Spock’ hand sign game or dressing up as the character in the Starfleet uniform, Sheldon would time and again showcase his obsession for Mr. Spock. When Nimoy passed away on February 27, 2015 at the age of 83, the vanity card at the end of the Season 8, episode 17 titled ‘The Colonization Application’ read,

"The impact you had on our show and on our lives is everlasting."

Leonard Nimoy’s cameo in The Big Bang Theory

In Season 5, episode 20 titled ‘The Transporter Malfunction’, Leonard Hofstadter (played by Johnny Galecki) and Sheldon’s neighbor Penny (played by Kaley Cuoco) gift them vintage mint-in-box 1975 Mego Star Trek Transporter collectibles. When Penny asks them to play with the toy, the two of them reject the idea saying that the toy loses its value once it is opened.

Sheldon who has a Mr. Spock figurine, starts talking to it in his dreams. Spock’s figurine, voiced by Nimoy, tells him that a toy should be played with as that is the only ‘logical’ thing to do. He struggles with his temptation, but finally gives in. Sheldon ends up breaking his toy. He secretly replaces it with Leonard’s, which was still in the box untouched.

In Sheldon’s dreams, Nimoy says that his actions are disappointing. After he throws the figurine, he is attacked by a Gorn.

When Leonard decides to play with his toy, he finds it broken. Sheldon makes up several lies to cover up his mistake. But seeing that it is going nowhere, he finally confesses that he had interchanged the toys after being persuaded by Spock in his dreams.

Mentions of Spock in The Big Bang Theory

While 'The Transporter Malfunction’ is the only episode where he made a cameo, his presence was there in several other episodes in the series. One of them is in Season 2, episode 11 titled ‘The Bath Item Gift Hypothesis.’' In the episode, Penny tells Sheldon that she will be giving him a Christmas gift. Sheldon does not like the idea as he feels forced to give her a gift in return.

On Christmas, Penny gives Sheldon a napkin signed by Leonard Nimoy from when he had come to her restaurant. The writing on the napkin reads, ‘To Sheldon, Live Long and Prosper.’ When Penny informs that the napkin is dirty as Nimoy had used it, Sheldon contemplates cloning his DNA. Sheldon is ecstatic and ends up giving all the gift baskets he got for her. Her gift is beyond his wildest dreams, and he ends up even hugging her, something he never does.

In Season 9, episode 7 titled ‘The Spock Resonance’, Adam Nimoy, Nimoy’s son makes a special appearance. Adam and Wil Wheaton are making a documentary about the legendary Star Trek actor, for which Sheldon is to be interviewed.

During the interaction, Sheldon shares his great regard for Nimoy’s portrayal of Spock and reveals that he would often make decisions by thinking 'what would Spock do?'. He says that the idea of the world devoid of human emotions appeals to him and that is the reason he was captivated by Spock.

Sheldon also had Spock’s Starfleet uniform handy, as seen in Season 2, episode 2 titled ‘The Codpiece Topology’. Sheldon and his friends visit a Renaissance Fair, which Sheldon categorically disapproves of it due to historical inaccuracies. Nonetheless, he does return to it dressed as Mr. Spock and pretending to survey an Earth-like planet in the 1500s.

There are frequent mentions of the legendary actor and his celebrated character in The Big Bang Theory. However, Nimoy's cameo was the perfect homage to the actor's legacy.

ALSO READ: I firmly believe that this Star Trek legacy character deserves more screen-time

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