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As I’ve said previously, The Big Bang Theory survives solely because of its humorous components. If said humor disappeared from the show, its appeal would be nonexistent. This week’s episode proves this axiom, dropping everything appealing in favor of displaying its poorest quality: storytelling.

This week’s episode begins with a plotline appearing from nowhere; resident butt-monkey Howard is culminating his third date with Bernadette, a waitress alongside Penny at The Cheesecake Factory. Despite never being mentioned before, we are expected to sympathize with this character as if she has been a frequently appearing guest star. Worse, we’re apparently supposed to recognize her and her relations with the other characters without any sort of logical context. This is a grievous error on the part of the writing staff, CBS shuffled the broadcast order of this episode, or perhaps a wormhole opened and spat out this episode from another dimension, where all of this makes sense.

Anyway, Howard and Bernadette have finished their third date, which is sitcom euphemism for characters either fully consummating the relationship, or abandoning it fully. Howard, terrified by commitment, eschews the relationship for a full week until backed into a corner by Penny. Here, we learn Howard likes Bernadette, but simply not enough for exclusivity; in his own words, “(he) always thought that when (he’d) settle down… it would be with someone different… like Megan Fox from Transformers.” As Howard reveals his aspirations in front of the main cast, one thing comes abundantly clear: Howard is partially shallow, but completely a moron.

Meanwhile, Sheldon is excited because he has been asked for an interview on National Public Radio. As part of Ira Flatow’s “Science Friday,” Sheldon eagerly anticipates sharing his scientific research with the common man. Jealous, fellow scientist and recurring character Barry Kripke offers a sarcastic congratulation in his usual rhotacistic, Elmer Fudd voice. Claiming NPR is “scraping the bottom of the scientific barrel,” Kripke seeks to negate Sheldon’s achievement via a helium tank emptied discreetly into his office during the time of the interview. Wackiness ensues.

Only halfway through this episode do we see how terribly lazy the writers can be; both plotlines have eerily similar counterparts to episodes of Saved by the Bell, and possibly dozens of other lesser quality shows. Apart from that, where did these fluctuations in character come from? Howard is normally terrified of women to the point he freezes when he sees one; how has he achieved three successful dates? Sheldon is socially inept, and would normally scoff at the chance to present his scientific work to a non-scientific community; why would he not only accept such an opportunity, but be excited for the privilege? And why would anyone think an escalating prank war would be fresh and original television?

As if the already appropriated plotlines weren’t enough, Howard soon fantasizes about Battlestar Galactica’s Katee Sackhoff, another unabashedly announced proposed future wife, telling him to abandon his fantasies and find someone in his own league. The b-grade celebrity guest starring as an avatar for a conscience/fantasy has been done.

Heeding his overactive imagination’s words of wisdom, Howard rushes to The Cheesecake Factory and haphazardly proposes to Bernadette. The awkwardly spontaneous and ill-prepared proposal in order to demonstrate potential for commitment has been done.

Being rightfully rejected, Howard notices to the questionably available drum set and sings a heartfelt ballad to Bernadette, proving his love for her, thus effectively cementing the relationship. Using music to woo a girl in a public setting has been done.

This week’s episode is just plain disappointing. The jokes are few and far between. The characters are so inconsistent with the norm they might as well have been from a Harry Turtledove book. Worst of all, the plots seem to be the product of hitting the “random article” button on TVTropes.org. All in all, the delicate Jenga-like structure of The Big Bang Theory is finally starting to show hairline cracks. If the producers truly wish to reach the 100 episode milestone, they must seriously dedicate themselves to their product.