The Unforgettable Episodes of The Big Bang Theory That Kept Viewers Hooked

The popularity of The Big Bang Theory increased as the hit sitcom continued, and the most-watched episodes from each season provided insight into what fans desired from the show. Although the show was created by Chuck Lorre, a reliable producer of successful sitcoms who had previously worked on Roseanne, Dharma and Greg, and Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory surpassed all expectations and became his most renowned series during its third season.

Despite always retaining a substantial audience, The Big Bang Theory experienced exponential growth in popularity as it progressed. Unlike its spinoff Young Sheldon, the original series followed a traditional format, complete with a laugh track and a multi-camera setup, which was considered somewhat outdated compared to the groundbreaking sitcoms like Malcolm in the Middle and Scrubs that had revolutionized the genre in the mid-2000s. Nonetheless, The Big Bang Theory defied these conventions and achieved tremendous success, as substantiated by its impressive ratings.

Season 1, Episode 1, "Pilot"

Season 2, Episode 15, “The Maternal Capacitance”

The pilot episode of The Big Bang Theory season 1 garnered the highest ratings among viewers. Since the show was still establishing itself and did not have an existing fan base, it is understandable that viewers were curious and eager to watch. As a result, the pilot episode attracted a significant audience share, with a total of 9.5 million viewers tuning in.

In its second season, The Big Bang Theory came into its own, resulting in improved ratings for the sitcom. Unlike many shows that struggle to surpass the viewership of their pilot episodes, The Big Bang Theory's season 2, episode 15 titled "The Maternal Capacitance" outperformed its season 1 counterpart with an impressive 12.7 million viewers. This episode became a fan favorite as it featured a close encounter between Penny and Leonard, driven by the presence of Leonard's mother.

Season 3, Episode 17, "The Precious Fragmentation”

Season 4, Episode 1, The Robotic Manipulation"

The popularity of The Big Bang Theory surged during season 3 with episode 17, titled "The Precious Fragmentation," attracting a staggering 16.3 million viewers. Interestingly, this particular installment deviated from the usual focus on intense character drama and instead centered around a comical storyline involving the group of friends vying for possession of a prop ring from the Lord of the Rings films. Although not immediately noteworthy, this episode became a comedic gem, thanks to Sheldon's hilarious portrayal of a Gollum parody.

The Big Bang Theory season 4, episode 1, titled “The Robotic Manipulation,” achieved remarkable ratings for two key reasons. Firstly, being the season premiere, it naturally garnered more attention and interest from the audience. Secondly, the episode featured a hilarious plotline where Penny accompanied Sheldon on his first genuine date, ensuring its status as a timeless masterpiece. The undeniable consensus among a staggering 14 million viewers is a testament to its success.

Season 5, Episode 15, “The Friendship Contraction”

With a staggering 16.5 million viewers, season 5, episode 15, known as “The Friendship Contraction,” made a tremendous impact on the sitcom. What made this episode particularly remarkable was that it wasn't the Leonard/Penny storyline that captivated the audience. Instead, it revolved around a momentary fallout in the friendship between Leonard and Sheldon. Consequently, this episode's remarkable success established that Young Sheldon could effectively center on the show's protagonist without necessarily relying on the return of his original co-stars.

Season 6, Episode 13, “The Bakersfield Expedition”

In season 6, episode 13 of The Big Bang Theory, titled "The Bakersfield Expedition," a staggering 20 million viewers were captivated by the storyline. This episode shattered the notion that relationship conflicts were the sole driving force behind the show's popularity. Taking place at Comic Con, "The Bakersfield Expedition" portrayed the group's misadventures as they found themselves stranded. Meanwhile, Penny, Bernadette, and Amy grappled with comprehending the allure of comic books in their absence.

Season 7, Episode 2, “The Deception Verification”

A remarkable

Season 8, Episode 2, “The Junior Professor Solution”

viewers were captivated by the second episode of season 7, titled "The Deception Verification." This installment focused on a timeless clash between Sheldon and Leonard, driven by Sheldon's realization that his roommate had craftily evaded him to spend time with Penny. Although the premise was modest, the comedic impact was undeniably strong.

"The Junior Professor Solution," the second episode of season 8, may not have been as popular as the standout episode from season 7, but it still attracted an impressive audience of 18.3 million viewers. This can be attributed to the dynamic storyline, in which Sheldon takes on the role of a teacher for Howard, while Penny and Bernadette find themselves caught in a feud. The resulting mix of comedy and drama demonstrated the comedic potential of these two pairs, who were not previously given enough credit.

Season 9, Episode 1, "The Matrimonial Momentum”

Season 10, Episode 12, “The Holiday Summation”

The 9th season premiere titled "The Matrimonial Momentum" took the sitcom in a new direction with an intense plotline. Penny's discovery of Leonard's infidelity caused her to question their upcoming wedding. Although the storyline eventually lost momentum, it managed to captivate a staggering 18.2 million viewers.

The Big Bang Theory's season 10, episode 12, titled "The Holiday Summation," featured Sheldon and Amy recounting their trip to Texas, while Leonard and Penny faced difficulties in finding a Christmas tree. Although the Christmas episode followed the show's usual style, it stood out with a unique storytelling approach reminiscent of How I Met Your Mother, where the narrative was divided between the main characters. This creative twist garnered a significant audience of 16.8 million viewers.

Season 11, Episode 1, "The Proposal Proposal”

Season 12, Episodes 23 and 24, “The Change Constant” and “The Stockholm Syndrome”

The season 11 premiere of The Big Bang Theory brought an abundance of drama as Sheldon popped the question to Amy, and Howard and Bernadette grappled with the news of another bundle of joy. Despite the weighty storyline, the sitcom managed to maintain its signature lightheartedness, attracting an impressive 17.7 million viewers. However, some viewers were less than enamored with the episode, expressing disappointment with Sheldon's predictable behavior and tired characterization.

The final season of The Big Bang Theory saw consistently high ratings, but it was the two-part finale that truly captured the attention of viewers in season 12. With a staggering audience share of 18.5 million viewers, episodes 23 and 24, titled "The Change Constant" and "The Stockholm Syndrome," brought together Sheldon, Leonard, Amy, Bernadette, Raj, Penny, and Howard for their last hurrah. Despite its flaws, the series finale of The Big Bang Theory proved to be a resounding success, further solidifying the show's enduring popularity with audiences.