"The Financial Permeability" is an episode of The Big Bang Theory that first aired on February 2, 2009. Directed by Mark Cendrowski. Teleplay by Richard Rosenstock and Eric Kaplan, based on a story by Chuck Lorre and Steven Molaro.
Howard, Leonard and Raj try to figure out a way to go to the movies with Sheldon while satisfying his onerous requirements. Finally Howard suggests the three of them go to the movies without Sheldon. After they have left, Sheldon thinks it over and concurs that it was the only viable solution.
Penny asks Sheldon to hide her in Apartment 4A. The landlord is in the building and Penny's behind on her rent, because her car needed expensive repairs and the restaurant cut her hours. Sheldon offers Penny a cash loan, which she reluctantly accepts.
Soon Penny's solvent, but she feels pressure to pay Sheldon back even though he's actually not pushing the issue at all, instead of being an obnoxious jerk like he's about pretty much everything else. Leonard explains that Sheldon's disinterested attitude towards money is one of the eccentric man's less annoying traits.
Leonard tries to help Penny figure out how to cut her expenses. Thus he discovers that Kurt (Brian Patrick Wade), Penny's ex-boyfriend, owes her $1,800 in court expenses because Kurt engaged in drunk and disorderly conduct.
Without consulting Penny, Leonard decides to go collect the money. At first Kurt just ignores Leonard, but then he writes "I owe Penny $1,800" on Leonard's forehead. Sheldon actually thinks this is progress: it's a formal acknowledgement of the debt.
Penny pays Sheldon back. According to her, Kurt just decided out of the blue to pay her back. Leonard doesn't get thanks for trying to collect, and worse, Penny actually has a dinner date with the jerk.
Tropes
- Analogy Backfire: In an attempt to convince the rest of the group to go with him, Leonard compares getting Kurt to return the money he owes Penny to Sam and Pippin accompanying Frodo on the quest to take the One Ring to Mount Doom. Sheldon points out that said quest was horribly traumatizing for everyone involved.
- Artistic License – Religion: Howard, who's Jewish, crosses himself when Kurt comes out of his apartment.
- Broke Episode: Penny is a little short on cash, mainly because her ex-boyfriend Kurt owed her $1,800 for speeding and peeing on a cop car.
- Captain Obvious:Sheldon: You know, it occurs to me you could solve all your problems by obtaining more money.
Penny: [Blank Stare and then...] Yes, it occurs to me too. - Call-Back: As in the pilot, Leonard proposes confronting Kurt. Sheldon reminds him that the last time they did, he took off their pants.
- Continuity Nod: Penny's check engine light has been on for a while, which Sheldon pointed out in an earlier episode. Now her car has broken down.
- Face Doodling: When Leonard confronts Kurt about the money he owes Penny, Kurt responds by writing an I.O.U. on his face.
- The Ghost: The landlord of the building, who Penny suspects is stalking her for being late on rent.
- Human Pet: Sheldon claims he'd like to be this to super-intelligent aliens because he likes getting his belly scratched.
- Never Lend to a Friend: Subverted. Unlike other examples of the trope, it's Penny who becomes anxious about repaying Sheldon.
- No Good Deed Goes Unpunished:
- Because Sheldon lent her money, Penny becomes even more ashamed of her financial situation and lashes out at him for offering her more money after she already took out a considerable loan from him.
- Leonard confronts Kurt on Penny's behalf and comes out it with his forehead vandalized. Also, while Kurt does return the money, he uses it as an opportunity to get back into Penny's good graces and she's left blissfully oblivious to the part Leonard played in stabilizing her finances.
- Took a Level in Kindness: Sheldon tries to help out Penny with her financial woes. Normally, Sheldon's the one who tries to get rid of Penny for eating his and Leonard's food and using his Wi-Fi.
- Ungrateful Bastard: Penny after being granted thousands of dollars by Sheldon doesn't exactly become so thankful to him, instead she's uneasy and quite ashamed to humiliated of having to borrow money from Sheldon. She even angrily lashes out at Sheldon for having lent her money and starts angrily ranting at him for trying to offer her even more money.
