The Big Bang Theory (Season 5)

Smart is the new sexy.

Physicists Leonard and Sheldon find their nerd-centric social circle with pals Howard and Raj expanding when aspiring actress Penny moves in next door.

The Skank Reflex Analysis 7.4
Air date: 2011-09-22
Runtime: 21 min
Overview: Penny is worried with how damaged her friendship with the guys will be in the aftermath of her sleeping with Raj while Sheldon becomes the leader of the paintball team.
The Infestation Hypothesis 7.6
Air date: 2011-09-22
Runtime: 20 min
Overview: A fight between Sheldon and Penny leaves Amy caught in the middle, while Leonard tries to spice up his long-distance relationship with Priya.
The Pulled Groin Extrapolation 7.3
Air date: 2011-09-29
Runtime: 20 min
Overview: Leonard and Amy get to know each other better, while Howard and Bernadette spend the weekend with Mrs. Wolowitz.
The Wiggly Finger Catalyst 7.4
Air date: 2011-10-06
Runtime: 20 min
Overview: Penny plays Matchmaker for Raj, which results in him finding a girl he is comfortable talking to.
The Russian Rocket Reaction 7.5
Air date: 2011-10-13
Runtime: 21 min
Overview: Sheldon and Leonard get invited to a party at Wil Wheaton's house, and Howard gets an out-of-this-world opportunity.
The Rhinitis Revelation 7.4
Air date: 2011-10-20
Runtime: 21 min
Overview: Sheldon's mother, Mary Cooper, comes to visit, but Sheldon is annoyed that she also spends time with the rest of the gang, instead of catering to his every demand.
The Good Guy Fluctuation 7.6
Air date: 2011-10-27
Runtime: 20 min
Overview: A cute comic book artist puts Leonard and Priya’s relationship to the test, while Sheldon tries to scare the guys for Halloween.
The Isolation Permutation 7.3
Air date: 2011-11-03
Runtime: 21 min
Overview: Amy becomes heartbroken when she discovers that Penny and Bernadette went wedding dress shopping without her.
The Ornithophobia Diffusion 7.4
Air date: 2011-11-10
Runtime: 21 min
Overview: Leonard and Penny try hanging out as friends on a 'non-date', but end up purposely ruining each others chances with perspective dates. Meanwhile, Sheldon enlists the help of Bernadette and Amy to overcome his fear of birds.
The Flaming Spittoon Acquisition 7.2
Air date: 2011-11-17
Runtime: 21 min
Overview: When Stuart asks Amy out on a date, Sheldon must confront his feelings and consider where his relationship with Amy is going.
The Speckerman Recurrence 7.2
Air date: 2011-12-08
Runtime: 20 min
Overview: Leonard must face his fears after being contacted by his high school tormentor.
The Shiny Trinket Maneuver 7.1
Air date: 2012-01-12
Runtime: 21 min
Overview: Sheldon gets in trouble with Amy when he isn't impressed by her recent accomplishment, and Howard must come to grips with Bernadette's dislike of children.
The Recombination Hypothesis 7.4
Air date: 2012-01-19
Runtime: 21 min
Overview: Leonard, who broke up with Priya, asks Penny out to a spur-of the-moment romantic dinner for two, and the duo contemplates on their relationship.
The Beta Test Initiation 7.4
Air date: 2012-01-26
Runtime: 20 min
Overview: Leonard and Penny deal with the idea of starting a relationship again and Raj finally finds a "woman" he can talk to without being drunk, in the form of Siri on his new phone. Meanwhile, Sheldon decides to start a YouTube series entitled "Sheldon Cooper presents Fun with Flags" with the help of Amy.
The Friendship Contraction 7.2
Air date: 2012-02-02
Runtime: 20 min
Overview: Sheldon's selfish demands force Leonard to reconsider their friendship. Meanwhile, Wolowitz tries to pick his astronaut nickname.
The Vacation Solution 7.1
Air date: 2012-02-09
Runtime: 21 min
Overview: When Sheldon is forced to take his vacation, he goes to work with Amy in her neurobiology lab.
The Rothman Disintegration 7.4
Air date: 2012-02-16
Runtime: 21 min
Overview: Sheldon battles Kripke for a coveted office at the university. Penny receives a very unusual gift from Amy.
The Werewolf Transformation 7.7
Air date: 2012-02-23
Runtime: 21 min
Overview: Sheldon becomes agitated when his regular barber is out sick. Astronaut training causes Howard to reconsider wanting to go into space. Penny beats Leonard in chess, the first time she plays.
The Weekend Vortex 7.2
Air date: 2012-03-08
Runtime: 20 min
Overview: Sheldon must choose between joining Amy at her aunt's birthday party or playing videogames all weekend with the guys.
The Transporter Malfunction 7.3
Air date: 2012-03-29
Runtime: 21 min
Overview: Penny buys Leonard and Sheldon “Star Trek” collectibles as a thank-you, leading Sheldon to be haunted by Mr. Spock. Meanwhile, Raj decides he has met the “Future Mrs. Koothrappali” after his parents set him up on a date.
The Hawking Excitation 7.8
Air date: 2012-04-05
Runtime: 19 min
Overview: When Wolowitz gets to work with Stephen Hawking, Sheldon is willing to do anything to meet his hero.
The Stag Convergence 7.0
Air date: 2012-04-26
Runtime: 21 min
Overview: After the guys throw Howard a bachelor party, Bernadette reconsiders marrying him after learning about his sexual history.
The Launch Acceleration 7.4
Air date: 2012-05-03
Runtime: 21 min
Overview: When NASA moves up Howard's mission, he must face his fears and Bernadette's dad, thus putting the wedding plans in jeopardy. Meanwhile, Leonard says something surprising to Penny in the bedroom.
The Countdown Reflection 8.0
Air date: 2012-05-10
Runtime: 20 min
Overview: The fifth season ends with Howard and Bernadette deciding to get married before his NASA mission, causing the gang to scurry into overdrive in an effort to stage the wedding. NASA astronaut Mike Massimino has a cameo as himself.