"The Itchy Brain Simulation" is an episode of The Big Bang Theory that first aired on November 14, 2013. Directed by Mark Cendrowski. Teleplay by Eric Kaplan, Steve Holland and Maria Ferrari, based on a story by Steven Molaro, Bill Prady and Jim Reynolds.
Leonard attempts to try and keep Sheldon from overreacting to a minor mistake, forcing Sheldon to make Leonard experience first hand what it's like to be him.
Meanwhile, Penny sets Raj up on a date with Lizzy (Morgan Hewitt). Also, Penny runs into Raj's ex-girlfriend Lucy (Kate Micucci).
Tropes
- All for Nothing: After Leonard fails to pay for the late DVD, Sheldon informs him that he already paid for it seven years ago; he never told him because it might make a "teachable moment" later on.
- The Chain of Harm: Happens in The Stinger, after Raj's date with Lizzy, the woman Penny set him up with, goes south.Lizzy: [to Penny] What is wrong with you?!
Penny: [to Raj] What is wrong with you?!
Raj: [to himself in the mirror] What is wrong with you?! - Deliberately Painful Clothing: While not its intended purpose, the itchy sweater is used by Sheldon to teach Leonard a lesson.
- Extremely Overdue Library Book: In this case, an overdue rental DVD.
- Homemade Sweater from Hell: Leonard's aunt made him an ugly red sweater that is also incredibly itchy. After Sheldon makes him wear it all the time with nothing underneath, his body is covered in rashes.Penny: Oh, my God! Is that sweater made of bees?
- In Another Man's Shoes: Sheldon makes Leonard wear the itchy sweater to show Leonard how unresolved issues to him are "like an itch in my brain that I can't scratch." He even mentions this phrase, stating that it's metaphorical, as Leonard can't literally wear Sheldon's shoes for having "the feet of a toddler".
- Noodle Incident: Penny asks about the dartboard on Leonard and Sheldon's apartment door and why she's never seen them play. Leonard replies that they did play once, and he wound up breaking the outside window on the other side of the apartment.
- Rage Against the Reflection: The episode ends with Raj yelling "What is wrong with you?" at his reflection after he botches yet another date.
- "The Reason You Suck" Speech: Penny gives Lucy a brutal one, mainly calling her out for bailing too easily in her relationship with Raj. She even flat out calls her a bad person.
- Shout-Out: The late DVD is Super Mario Bros. (1993)
- Squirting Flower Gag: In a subplot, Sheldon tries to get people to "smell" the novelty flower he bought.
