"The Locomotion Interruption" is an episode of The Big Bang Theory that first aired on September 22, 2014, beginning the show's eighth season. Directed by Mark Cendrowski. Teleplay by Steven Molaro, Steve Holland and Eric Kaplan, based on a story by Jim Reynolds, Maria Ferrari and Tara Hernandez.
After a month and a half, Sheldon's tour of train stations comes to an abrupt end when his personal possessions (including his pants) are stolen. Leonard goes in his car to Arizona with Amy to bring Sheldon back to Pasadena. Amy's upset that Sheldon called Leonard instead of her.
Penny would have gone with Leonard to Arizona, except Bernadette scheduled a job interview at the pharmaceutical company where Bernadette works. Dan (Stephen Root) interviews Penny. The interview's a disaster, until Penny mentions Bernadette. Then Dan and Penny bond over how scared they are of Bernadette.
Meanwhile, Howard is grossed out over how "chummy" his mother (Carol Ann Susi) has gotten with Stuart (Kevin Sussman).
Tropes
- Bait-and-Switch: While stuck in a car, Sheldon asks Amy to plug her ears so he can talk to Leonard in private. He then tells Leonard he's interested in a sexual relationship with Amy. A few beats later, he reveals it as a ploy to see if Amy really can't hear them, and then moves on with his true intentions.
- Comedic Underwear Exposure: When we first see Sheldon, he is only wearing a shirt and briefs because his pants were stolen along with the rest of his luggage.
- Freudian Slip: Howard accidentally calls Bernadette his mother during an argument with Stuart, highlighting his Oedipal complex.
- Important Haircut: Penny sports a shorter pixie haircut as part of a new adult look. Sheldon, of course, hates it, because it's yet another departure from the status quo that he's so used to.
- New Job Episode: With Bernadette's help, Penny applies for a job as a pharmaceutics representative.
- Previously on…: We're reminded of how and why Sheldon left Pasadena last season.
