These 7 Star Trek references in The Big Bang Theory are a treat for fans

Whether it is dressing up as the characters from the Star Trek universe or Sheldon’s obsession with Mr. Spock, The Big Bang Theory has proudly showcased their love for the space adventure franchise all through their 12-season run.

Since the show, Star Trek: The Original Series first aired in 1966, the franchise has amassed loyal fans. The iconic series has influenced many movies and television shows. The Big Bang Theory was instrumental in introducing it to a whole new audience with their quirky antics and vast knowledge of the franchise.

Sheldon Cooper (played by Jim Parsons), Leonard Hofstadter, (played by Johnny Galecki), Rajesh “Raj” Koothrappali (played by Kunal Nayyar) and Howard Wolowitz (played by Simon Helberg) are well versed in Klingon (the language spoken by the Klingons in Star Trek) and know to play the multi-dimensional chess from the series. Sheldon even once proclaimed that he is an honorary graduate from the Starfleet Academy. We look at some of the more memorable Star Trek mentions on The Big Bang Theory.

Disclaimer: This list is based on the writer's opinion.

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7 Star Trek references in The Big Bang Theory

1) The Bakersfield Expedition

Season 6 - Episode 13

In the episode, we find Sheldon, Leonard, Howard and Raj getting ready to go a Comic-Con in Bakersfield, California. They are all dresses as characters from Star Trek: The Next Generation.

On the way they decide to take a pitstop at the famous Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park, which is known to be one of the Star Trek filming locations. While they strike action poses in their Star Trek get-up near the desert like location, Leonard’s car gets stolen. Defeated at the turn of events, they decide to head home.

2) The Transporter Malfunction

Season 5 - Episode 20

Leonard and Sheldon’s neighbor Penny (played by Kaley Cuoco) knows about their obsession with the Star Trek franchise. Though she doesn’t know much about it herself, she gets her hands on Star Trek transporter collectibles and gifts it to them.

Sheldon did not want to open his toy despite the temptation to do so. That is until the Spock action figure starts talking to him. Leonard Nimoy voiced the action figure for the episode. Sheldon feels bad that he opened his toy so he sneakily tries to replace it with Leonard’s. But his conscience, again voiced by Nimoy, tells him to do better. Sheldon even dreams of being on the planet Vulcan during this episode.

3) The Bath Item Gift Hypothesis

Season 2 - Episode 11

When Penny informs Sheldon that she will be giving him a Christmas gift, he is not happy. Sheldon dislikes the idea of gift exchange as he feels obliged to return a gift of equal value. He buys her different sizes of gift baskets in hopes that once she gives him her gift, he will know the correct one to give her.

But when Sheldon opens his gift and finds a napkin, which Penny informs is signed by Leonard Nimoy, he goes speechless. She says that he was at her restaurant, and she asked him to sign it for her. She also says that it is not clean because Nimoy had used it. An ecstatic Sheldon gives her all the gift baskets he bought. Feeling it is not enough, he hugs her, a gesture he seldom makes for anyone.

4) The Lizard-Spock Expansion

Season 2 - Episode 8

This episode saw Sheldon introduce the group to the famous hand-sign game - Rock, Paper, Scissors, Lizard, Spock. Originally invented by Sam Kass and Karen Bryla, Sheldon takes a liking to the game and familiarizes it to his friends.

This is how Sheldon explains the game in the show -

Scissors cuts Paper, Paper covers Rock, Rock crushes Lizard, Lizard poisons Spock, Spock smashes Scissors, Scissors decapitates Lizard, Lizard eats Paper, Paper disproves Spock, Spock vaporizes Rock, Rock crushes Scissors.

5) The Codpiece Topology

Season 2 - Episode 2

The Big Bang Theory guys would take on any opportunity to put on a costume. In this episode, the group decides to visit a Renaissance Fair. But to Sheldon’s annoyance, he finds many historical inaccuracies.

He is reluctant to go back but when Raj suggests that he can go as Spock, he takes it up. Sheldon returns to the Renaissance Fair as Mr. Spock pretending to explore a planet similar to Earth in the 1500s.

6) The Habitation Configuration

Season 6 - Episode 7

‘Sheldon Cooper Presents: Fun with Flags’ is one of the recurring themes on the show, where he and his girlfriend Amy Farrah Fowler (played by Mayim Bialik) talk about various flags from around the world. In this episode, Will Wheaton (as himself) comes as a special guest on the show.

They were supposed to speak about the flags from the Star Trek franchise but Amy keeps pointing out that Will is not delivering his lines properly. Sheldon tries to pacify her but sides with Will, which upsets Amy greatly.

7) The Thespian Catalyst

Season 4 - Episode 14

Sheldon is known for his unyielding personality. After a lecture at a university where the students give him negative reviews, Sheldon is taken aback. Wanting to do better, he asks Penny to give him some acting lessons.

Sheldon reveals that when he was 10, he had written a fanfiction called ‘Where No Sheldon Has Gone Before’, taking a cue from the famous Star Trek opening line. They use the scene from it to help with his acting skills. They go on to act out the script, where Penny decides to take on the role of Spock. At the end, Sheldon has a mini breakdown.

ALSO READ: Star Trek’s popularity influenced NASA and this is how it inspired future astronauts

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