Big Bang Theory Recap: The Tenure Turbulence
Kripke informs the group of guys during their lunch break of a tenured position that just opened. At first they agree to allow their work speakfor themselves, but that quickly changes as they begin to one up each other in getting close to those involved with the Tenure Board, especially Mrs. Davis head of the Human Resources Department.
Leonard decides to get to close to Mrs. Davis by working out on the elliptical next to her. He lets her know of his decision to throw is hat into the ring, but it becomes evident that Kripke has been doing some schmoozing of his own, and it is lot better at it.
Raj decides to send Mrs. Davis a ninety minute YouTube video describing his life and his love affair with science. Fortunate, for Mrs. Davis Sheldon interrupts the lengthy video, try his hand at some schmoozing, but he ends up failing spectacularly. Sheldon while trying to win Davis’ favor for tenure, ends up insulting her instead by gifting the complete collection of “Roots,” cause as Sheldon would say it is “fun for the whole family.” Now this isn’t the only Tenure Board member, he decides to give Professor Woo, the complete Jackie Chan collection.
The memorial for the professor whose tenure position is up for grabs ends up turning into a schmooze fest with Sheldon bringing Amy, a respected scientist in her own right, to help raise his academic profile and as a tenure candidate. Leonard brings Penny who has decided to wear a very revealing little black dress to help swing some votes. As for Raj well has the same idea as his fellow contenders, but the night ends up taking a sour turn with Sheldon and Raj trading “Yo Momma” jokes.
As they trade quips back in forth, Leonard speaks out stating that they are throwing their friendship away for some stupid job position. They all agree to leave, but when they see Kripke arriving for the memorial, all bets are off.
In the end, Mrs. Davis recommends all three for tenure and Sheldon goes to thank her. She is shocked by his sincerity, but that quickly changes as he insults her yet again without realizing.
Originally posted on Affairs Magazine
