Episode 3 – The Barbarian Sublimation (203)
Sheldon becomes distracted from playing Age of Conan by Penny who has accidentally attempted to use her car keys to open her apartment door. Sheldon learns that Penny is frustrated by her failures in life specifically her not getting into any of the parts in plays she’s tried out for, not having sex for six months, not receiving a raise at work and, on her way up the stairs, she swallowed a fly. Sheldon invites her into his apartment to wait until the locksmith arrives to open her door. Penny becomes curious about the game Sheldon is playing and quickly becomes addicted. They quickly try to help her regain her regular life back as they try to set her up with an online dating service which failed miserably. After falling deep into her addiction, she inadvertently accepts an online date consisting of questing and drinking ale at the local virtual tavern with Howard. She quickly realizes what she’s done and promptly stops playing the game as the episode ends.
The title refers to Sheldon and Penny playing Age of Conan (Conan the Barbarian) as the characters “Sheldor, The Conqueror” and “Queen Penelope”, respectively, and to the psychological concept of sublimation – transformation of sexual energy into non-sexual endeavors (in this case, into online gaming).
Directed by Mark Cendrowski.
Written by Nicole Lorre, Steve Molaro & Eric Kaplan.
Originally aired on October 6, 2008.
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