"The Hook-up Reverberation" is an episode of The Big Bang Theory that first aired on October 6, 2014. Directed by Mark Cendrowski. Teleplay by Steven Molaro, Eric Kaplan and Jim Reynolds, based on a story by Steve Holland, Maria Ferrari and Tara Hernandez.
Raj introduces Emily (Laura Spencer) to his friends, and Emily takes an instant dislike to Penny because of Penny's very brief sexual encounter with Raj three years ago (see "The Roommate Transmogrification"). Since Emily's a doctor, Bernadette suggests that Penny should try to use her sales techniques to "sell" herself to Emily.
Also, Howard, Leonard, Raj and Sheldon consider investing in Stuart's comic book store, which has been closed since "The Status Quo Combustion". No need, though, Howard's mother has decided to just give Stuart (Kevin Sussman) the money he needs to reopen the store. Howard is annoyed and goes confront his mother.
Tropes
- All Women Hate Each Other: When Penny meets Raj's girlfriend Emily, she finds that Emily acts distant towards her. She later finds out it's because Raj told Emily about the time he and Penny shared a bed, even though nothing happened. (Raj: "In my defense, I'm telling everybody.") In the end, they seem to patch things up, but after Penny sees Emily out, after the door closes they both say to themselves "I hate her."
- Brick Joke: Sheldon makes a sociology-based prophecy that Raj will lose one or two friends now that he has a girlfriend. Later, Penny gets mad at him because he told Emily about their hook-up and storms out, and Sheldon points out that his Oxford study-based premonition came true.
- Call-Back: Penny's drunken fooling around with Raj comes back to bite her.
- Green-Eyed Monster: Emily's initial dislike for Penny is that she hooked up with Raj that one time. She thought it was fine until she saw how pretty Penny is.
- Mistaken for Pedophile: Invoked when Howard, Raj and Sheldon suggest a way to bring more customers to Stuart's comic book store.Leonard: So your idea is to get a van and cruise the streets looking for kids to pick up?
Sheldon: Yes.
Leonard: And are you going to use candy to lure them in?
Raj: We are now! - Plot-Mandated Friendship Failure: Discussed when Sheldon mentions research suggesting that a man entering a romantic relationship loses an average of two friends as a result, in regard to Rajesh and Emily's relationship.
