Plot
Raj turns to Sheldon for help with his finances. Raj agrees to let Sheldon enforce financial discipline. That means, for one thing, that Raj can't afford to go to the upcoming comic book convention. Howard probably can't go either on account of being a new father. Penny considers going to Comic Con with Leonard, but mostly to make him happy.Sheldon suggests that Raj earn money somehow to afford his ticket to go to the convention. At the comic book store, Raj sells Stuart some collectibles he bought there, for a lot less than he paid for them. Also, Raj takes a job at the comic book store, and his first job is to put price tags on the collectibles for more than Stuart paid Raj for them.
In the end, Raj, Howard and Leonard decide not to go. Nothing will dissuade Sheldon from going, however, not even Amy.note
Tropes:
- Abilene Paradox: Leonard invites Penny to Comic-Con solely because he thinks she wants to go, and Penny accepts solely because she thinks Leonard wants her to come along. Both want the other to be happy, so it becomes an emotional Game of Chicken as neither wants to be the one to admit that they'd rather Penny not come.
- Bait-and-Switch: In The Stinger, Sheldon tries to convince Amy to go to Comic-Con with him.Sheldon: Well, maybe what's in my pants will change your mind. [Amy turns around, smiling; Sheldon then pulls a piece of paper from his pocket] It's a list of this year's panelists. It's long, isn't it?
- Bankruptcy Barrel: Invoked. After reviewing Raj's spending, Sheldon suggests he buy a barrel and a pair of suspenders.
- Bread, Eggs, Breaded Eggs: Done in reverse.Sheldon: She's gonna hate waiting in line for the panels.
Howard: She's gonna hate the crowds at the panels.
Sheldon: She's gonna hate the panels.
Leonard: She's gonna hate how often we say the word "panels". - Continuity Nod: The silly Aquaman costume Raj wore in the fourth season episode "Justice League Recombination" returns as a costume he wears while holding a sign advertising Stuart's comic book shop.
- Continuity Snarl, averted: Sheldon says "I've never missed a Comic Con with you guys." This is correct even though he missed a 2009 Comic Con, because Howard, Leonard and Raj also missed that Comic Con because the four of them were on an Arctic expedition. See "The Electric Can Opener Fluctuation".
- Cutting the Knot: The above paradox is resolved when Sheldon and Amy, when discussing the situation realize that neither Leonard and Penny want her to come, resulting in Amy later blurting it out to them.
- Goofy Suit: Raj wears his Aquaman costume to advertise the comic book store.
- Hypocritical Humor: Amy tells Sheldon not to inform Leonard or Penny about neither of them wanting to go to Comic-Con, but then she's the one who blurts it out in the middle of an argument.
- Jerkass Has a Point: When Stuart tries to angle for some money after Howard and Bernadette offer Raj some backpay for taking care of Halley, Bernadette not so subtly tells him he's not getting any because he lives with them for free. She's not wrong and Stuart does agree with her point.
- Oblivious to His Own Description: The guys discuss getting Raj a business manager to handle his spending.Sheldon: Absolutely not! You can't afford to hire somebody who'll forbid you from spending your money on foolish expenses. It's a foolish expense, and I forbid it.
Howard: Oh, what if there's somebody who just likes controlling other people and stealing joy from their lives?
Sheldon: He sounds like a sociopath.
Leonard: We don't know, his mother never had him tested.
Sheldon: You're talking about me. Very funny. Although, I would enjoy drawing up a budget and forcing Raj to adhere to it without an ounce of compassion. - Reverse Psychology: Leonard tries to dissuade Penny from going to the convention by subtly suggesting that it will be an unpleasant experience for her.
