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In The Big Bang Theory, we typically witness plots concerning Sheldon and Leonard, Sheldon and Penny, Leonard and Penny, Howard and Raj, or all five characters together. Even though those episodes are typically well-written and strong, it’s nice every once in a while to shake things up, and see some atypical character interactions.

Tonight’s episode features Leonard and Howard on a double date with respective girlfriends Penny and Bernadette. The pairings, by default, leave Raj and Sheldon alone for a plotline of their very own. Raj, realizing the pair would be alone for the evening, and possibly many times in the near future, reaches out to his socially moronic friend. Unfortunately, Sheldon’s idea of a riveting evening involves backing up his hard drive and installing Linux.

Not looking forward to an evening with Tux the Penguin, Raj bribes Sheldon into attending a singles mixer at the University for the mere price of a novelty Green Lantern lantern, which Sheldon insists on bringing to the party. Unfamiliar to the assumed role of Raj’s wingman, Sheldon hesitantly observes the strange lands surrounding him. Alien concepts abound, such as parties without ice cream and root beer floats, the process of “checking women out” including which women are the intended targets, and how soon after introductions it is appropriate to reveal to women intentions of copulation.

Despite all contrary logic, Sheldon inadvertently catches the attention of Abby, played by the always welcome in any format Danica McKellar. Swooping in, a confident and loquacious Raj sweeps Abby off her feet with talk of India. Abby’s friend Martha (Jen Drohan) immediately takes notice of Sheldon’s limited edition Green Lantern lantern. Upon recognition of the coveted object, Sheldon recites the first half of The Green Lantern Oath. Sheldon’s natural Sheldonness is misinterpreted by Martha as flirting; Sheldon of course realizes nothing. After an evening of hobnobbing, the four excuse themselves to Sheldon’s apartment and cap the night with an intense bout of Guitar Hero: World Tour.

Leonard and Penny’s and Howard and Bernadette’s evening turned out nowhere near as successful. On the way to the restaurant, trying to engage in small talk, the conversation turns to Penny taking career advice from a psychic. As a scientist, the idea of psychics and all things paranormal is apparently so laughable to Leonard, he blatantly guffaws and insults his girlfriend for believing in it. This sets off a long examination of Leonard’s relationship with Penny; the importance of the two sharing a set of beliefs is so necessary, he actually considers a belief in fortune telling a dealbreaker.

After a necessary amount of mocking, Howard has a heart-to-heart with Leonard. Leonard is upset that, in order to be with Penny, he must compromise his beliefs. Howard explains via a Venn Diagram that the odds of two lovers being an absolute match are astronomical. The very fact Leonard has found somebody who loves him is good enough. He doesn’t have to change his beliefs, just accept Penny is entitled to her own convictions. In addition, he asks Leonard to consider how much crap Penny must be putting up with.

The old battle of give-and-take is a sitcom staple, but here the argument seems fresh and new. Ideas and beliefs are more personal than material goods, and understanding subjective ideals are not universal is conflict ground not typically seen in the sitcom medium. Although, I can’t shake the feeling that the original plotline was an examination of religion, changed during the writing process to avoid offending viewing audiences. The pieces fit; many relationships hit trepidations upon learning of incompatible faiths. Leonard, a man of science, could easily have a Richard Dawkins-like view of religion. The final moral is that people should be open minded, and should believe whatever they choose to believe with Penny inviting Sheldon to visit her psychic and “see what it’s all about.”

If not changed to satiate audiences, it was most certainly scrapped due to inconsistency. In the show’s run, Leonard has never shown a distaste for any belief system. In fact, in the previous episode, he showed a significant liking towards Christmas and the Christmas season. In any case, the similarities still exist, the metaphor is pitch-perfect, and the lesson taught is well done.

Allegories aside, the wacky escapades of Raj and Sheldon were still this week’s strongest point. After their successful evening with Martha and Abby, Raj stumbles in on Sheldon learning Finnish on a whim while waiting for Linux to load on his hard drive. Raj declares jubilantly the girls wish to hang out again, much to Sheldon’s chagrin. While the freakish shut-in had a modicum of fun the night before, he feels the experience is behind him and he must move on to other things, like learning Finnish. Predicting Sheldon’s stubborn nature, Raj once again bribes Sheldon, this time with a pair of toy Hulk fists autographed by Stan Lee. Once again, Sheldon accepts the bribe. And once again, Sheldon insists on bringing his newly acquired treasure on the date.

Sheldon concludes tonight’s episode with a series of obscure references to the novella Flatland, a satirical novella about shapes in a 2-dimensional world. Not only has Martha unbelievably heard of this book, she has several opinions about it. Despite the captivating discussion on experimental English literature, it should be noted that Raj and Abby are a mere seven feet over, french kissing like a pair of teenagers. Martha eyes the kissing couple jealously, attempting to give non-verbal hints to Sheldon. Unfortunately, before Martha can make headway, Sheldon tires of the conversation and retires to his bedroom, leaving Martha abandoned and perplexed. Martha’s eyes convey a level of self-esteem so low, it’s if you dig up, you’ll hit sewer pipe. Not only were her constant advances ignored by a man wearing Hulk fists, she was actually attempting to woo him in the first place.

The cast of characters in The Big Bang Theory have evolved greatly over the course of the show. Tonight’s episode is a prime example of this evolutionary change. Instead of the typical nerd/bimbo dichotomy, the entire cast exhibited growth. Leonard is insecure and flawed, Penny has beliefs, Howard is philosophical and supportive, Raj is outgoing and confident, and Sheldon… Well, Sheldon is still Sheldon, but he’s lovable for that reason.