The Big Bang Theory Review: The Celebration Reverberation (Season 11 Episode 11)

On The Big Bang Theory Season 11 Episode 11, “The Celebration Reverberation,” the rift between Howard and Raj continues while Howard plans for Halley’s birthday. Sheldon also is doing some party planning with horrendous consequences.

I am happy to see that they extended the rift between Howard and Raj from the previous episode onto this, mostly because I was sure that they were just going to solve it in some silly way and let it go. Raj is completely correct in saying that his relationship with Howard is toxic and something needs to be done about it.

Howard, not seeing a fault in his actions (why am I not surprised) thinks Raj is acting like a baby. Soon, he reaches a new low by not inviting Raj to Halley’s birthday party. Eventually, Howard does change his mind about the invitation because he needs Raj to plan the party.

Seriously, Howard, why are you the worst?

I am so frustrated by Howard at times because I know he can be a good guy yet he mostly acts like a douche. He seems not to be able to see any fault in his actions, which is definitely unfortunate because it seemed for a moment on the previous episode that he was actually ready to do some soul-searching to understand where he has done wrong.

Raj, not willing to help Howard, luckily agrees to help Halley and thus proves, once again, what a good guy he really is.

As they test out the bounce house Raj acquires for the party they acknowledge that they have hurt each others’ feelings and it seems like they reach some sort of agreement.

Though I didn’t want to see their rift dragged through too many episodes I think this reconciliation was reached kind of hastily. Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see whether Howard has learned anything from the separation.

While Howard tries to run away from the responsibilities of party planning, Sheldon is working on a plan for an authentic Little House of the Prairie-themed dinner for Amy for her birthday… AWW. The fact that he really isn’t a fan of the show makes this endeavor even sweeter because it shows Sheldon is ready to embrace something just because Amy loves it.

Sheldon: Everyone knows the best foreplay is rigid adherence to a strict schedule.

And instead of just putting together a dinner Sheldon has a whole weekend for birthday activities planned for Amy, including their annual “birthday coitus.”

Unfortunately, Sheldon’s sweet idea turns kind of smelly once Sheldon and Amy both get sick from the food Sheldon has prepared. Hours of horrible torment in stomach pain ensue.

As a result of a Christmas letter from his highly successful brother Leonard gets inspired to write his own Christmas letter featuring all of the cool things he and those close to him did that year. Though it first looks like he and Penny are having a hard time coming up with things to include on the list they end up figuring out that their life is good for them.

It might not be as flashy as the life of Leonard’s brother, but it works for them.

Leonard admits, though, that he feels like they are stuck — should they buy a house or get a baby to move on? Penny, who wants all of that at some point, says there are still things she wants to do before fully settling down but seems unable to really define those things.

Do they need to move on, though?

I guess their storyline could be more interesting if something new happens, but I don’t think a baby or a house are necessarily the only options for development.

One final note: I love how the episode is set in pretty much the current time since the guys go to a premiere of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, which premiered in the US today (December 15th.) A smart choice by the writers and good promo for the film, so it’s pretty much a win-win situation.

The Big Bang Theory will continue on January 4, 2018, with an episode titled “The Matrimonial Metric.”

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

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

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