The Big Bang Theory Review: The Recollection Dissipation (Season 10 Episode 20)

On The Big Bang Theory Season 10 Episode 20, “The Recollection Dissipation,” “Soft Kitty” is back… and not only in English, but also in German and Mandarin.

“The Recollection Dissipation” juggles two storylines with success, which results in a satisfying and funny episode on which especially Jim Parsons has a chance to shine.

Sheldon, now involved on two different projects, decides to prove that he is very much capable of multitasking, as he takes on both projects simultaneously.

Everything starts out well — probably too well — as Sheldon juggles between the two projects, solving equations like a boss while occasionally sipping and slurping lentil soup from his hydration backpack. His efficiency is entertaining to watch, mostly because one knows this can’t last for long.

By the end of the long working day, Sheldon starts to show signs of getting sick but insists that he must keep working. I must admit that it is kind of strange to see Sheldon on his feet while being sick, since I clearly remember him transforming into a big baby on previous occasions he has caught a cold on the show.

While this new “sick Sheldon” does not last for long, since by the end of the episode he returns to being pampered by Amy, it lasts just long enough to cause problems, which luckily results in hilarious and entertaining scenes.

Sheldon: My pants are missing, I don’t remember anything. Penny, this is your youth. What do I do?

After telling Amy that cold medicine and tea will no doubt help him get healthy again, Sheldon wakes up, naked from the waist down, at 9:00pm with no recollection of what has happened within the last few hours.

For some reason, he is sleeping on Leonard and Penny’s couch, and as the situation starts to unfold, Sheldon realizes his notebook including classified information about the project he is working on with Leonard and Howard is missing.

Sheldon panics, as he knows that losing classified information could lead to punishment. 

Sheldon: You know what happens to people like me in prison. I’ll be forced to be some large man’s tutor.

The tracking record from Sheldon’s phone reveals that in addition to being at the apartment building and the university, he went to a cowboy bar on Colorado Avenue. Fortunately, this somewhat surprising action is visualized as a short flashback.

The cowboy bar proves to hold the answers to Sheldon’s questions of what happened to him while under the influence of cold medicine, and by the end of the episode, the fear of punishment for losing classified information seems like something Sheldon won’t have to worry about any longer.

The other storyline introduced on the episode is focused on Bernadette and the problems and conflicting emotions she has to deal with as she is getting closer to the end of her maternity leave.

I am not a mother myself, but I imagine the struggle Bernadette goes through, the battle between the desire to return to her career and the instinct to stay at home with her child, is something a lot of women can relate with.

As Bernadette says, “It’s like there’s no right choice” — staying at home would mean she would have to say goodbye to something she has worked so hard for, whereas going to work would mean she would have to get used to spending less time with her child.

Obviously, Bernadette is very privileged in the sense that she has the possibility to even consider the idea of not going back to work, but I think in general the episode approaches this topic with honesty and care by, in a way, offering the conclusion that Bernadette and Howard themselves must figure out what works for them.

The decision not to include Halley as an actual character on the show has allowed Bernadette to really develop as a character, and I really hope that the upcoming seasons (we reported about the future of the show here) continue to focus on Bernadette as a mother and a career woman.

Also, while I do think the inclusion of Halley as an actual character would definitely throw the balance of the show to a different direction, it could be that someone is cast to play Halley in the upcoming seasons. I definitely would love to see the characters interacting with a toddler; especially scenes with Sheldon and a toddler could potentially be extremely hilarious!

Stray observations:

• The cold open is really good! It introduces the premise of the episode, Sheldon’s plan to work on both projects simultaneously, effectively in addition to which it offers a few solid laugh out loud, or at least chuckle-worthy, moments.
• Sheldon’s decision to save time by using fewer words fails as he deems it necessary to explain the acronyms he uses for those around him.
• I want to Cowboy bar to become a sort of Cheers-style hang-out place for Sheldon.

What did you think of this episode of The Big Bang Theory? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

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The Big Bang Theory airs Thursdays at 8/7c on CBS.

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