Friction ensues when a magazine fails to mention Leonard in an article about the paper he co-wrote with Sheldon. Also, a blackout at Mrs. Wolowitz’s home leads to a final family dinner in her honor.

When Leonard and Sheldon are invited to speak at UC Berkeley, they take a detour to try to meet an idol. Also, when Bernadette and Howard battle over the fate of his Doctor Who TARDIS, Raj and Amy offer to settle the dispute with a game of ping pong.

When Sheldon and Amy build a blanket fort, they come to major crossroads in their relationship. Also, Howard meets the half-brother he never knew he had. Meanwhile, Penny is invited to appear on Wil Wheaton’s podcast, but things turn awkward when Leonard joins them.

When Raj is asked to create a message in case a NASA mission discovers alien life, the guys fight over what he should do. Also, Penny is torn between auditioning for a movie or keeping her successful pharmaceutical sales job.

Howard questions his engineering abilities when he and Sheldon can’t get a toy drone to fly. Meanwhile, a cancelled flight nearly prevents Leonard from giving the commencement address at his former high school, and Raj pits his parents against each other when his father cuts him off financially.

Personalities collide when Sheldon and Leonard’s mothers finally meet. Meanwhile, Howard finally decides to “man up” and do his fair share of the housework – but not without a little help from his friends.

As Sheldon presses Leonard and Penny to set a wedding date, he encounters major changes in his own relationship with Amy. Meanwhile, Raj contemplates breaking up with Emily, and Howard and Bernadette struggle with asking Stuart to move out of their house.