Join or Sign In
Sign in to customize your TV listings
By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.
23 Episodes 2009 - 2010
The sitcom's third season begins with the guys returning from the North Pole, and Leonard (Johnny Galecki) and Penny (Kaley Cuoco) enthusiastically jump-starting their relationship. Meanwhile, Howard (Simon Helberg) begins dating Penny's coworker Bernadette (Melissa Rauch). Wil Wheaton appears as an archnemesis of Sheldon (Jim Parsons); and Marvel comics creator Stan Lee has memorable cameo appearance. Kunal Nayyar also stars.
Episode 1
Mon, Sep 21, 2009 30 mins
In the third-season opener, Sheldon feels betrayed when his friends alter his arctic-expedition data, so he takes off for Texas. The guys follow him, which kills Leonard's chance for a romantic meeting with Penny.
Episode 2
Mon, Sep 28, 2009 30 mins
Sheldon and Howard consult an entomologist to help settle a bet regarding a species of cricket. Meanwhile, Leonard and Penny try to figure out what's next after an awkward first attempt at intimacy.
Episode 3
Mon, Oct 5, 2009 30 mins
Sheldon tries to change Penny through behaviour modification, using chocolate as motivation. Meanwhile, Howard and Raj try to pick up women at a Goth nightclub.
Episode 4
Mon, Oct 12, 2009 30 mins
Raj needs to find a new job or he will be sent back to India, so Sheldon hires Raj to work for him. Meanwhile, Leonard and Penny need to explain the "three's company" concept to Howard.
Episode 5
Mon, Oct 19, 2009 30 mins
Sheldon enters a trading-card competition when he hears Wil Wheaton, for whom he harbours resentment, is also participating. Meanwhile, Wolowitz asks Penny to set him up with one of her friends.
Episode 6
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 30 mins
Sheldon tries to teach Leonard the fundamentals of football, while Raj and Howard quarrel over an incident involving kites.
Episode 7
Mon, Nov 9, 2009 30 mins
Leonard and Penny fight, and Sheldon mediates.
Episode 8
Mon, Nov 16, 2009 30 mins
After the guys, except for Sheldon, go camping, Penny is injured and left with only Sheldon to come to her rescue.
Episode 9
Mon, Nov 23, 2009 30 mins
Sheldon is humiliated on National Public Radio and vows vengeance on Kripke; and Wolowitz begins a relationship with Katee Sackhoff.
Episode 10
Mon, Dec 7, 2009 30 mins
Sheldon tries to teach Penny physics so she'll understand Leonard's work; Wolowitz is jealous when Leonard bonds with his girlfriend.
Episode 11
Mon, Dec 14, 2009 30 mins
Leonard's mother (Christine Baranski) visits, which pleases Sheldon but upsets Leonard.
Episode 12
Mon, Jan 11, 2010 30 mins
Sheldon helps Koothrappali pick up women at a university mixer; and Leonard is shocked to learn that Penny believes in psychics.
Episode 13
Mon, Jan 18, 2010 30 mins
Leonard and Sheldon's apartment is robbed, so they create an elaborate security system with the help of their friends.
Episode 14
Mon, Feb 1, 2010 30 mins
Newton had his apple. Sheldon has cheesecake. An impasse in his work leads Sheldon to get a job working with Penny at a restaurant known for that dessert.
Episode 15
Mon, Feb 8, 2010 30 mins
Leonard is only allowed to bring one guest for his trip to the CERN science complex in Switzerland, and he's forced to choose between Sheldon and Penny.
Episode 16
Mon, Mar 1, 2010 30 mins
Sheldon misses an opportunity to meet comics mogul Stan Lee, who appears in a cameo, when he has to go to traffic court after getting a ticket because of Penny.
Episode 17
Mon, Mar 8, 2010 30 mins
The guys go to a garage sale and find a ring from "The Lord of the Rings" film, and the rare find threatens their friendship.
Episode 18
Mon, Mar 22, 2010 30 mins
The friends try to help Sheldon overcome his fear of speaking in public.
Episode 19
Mon, Apr 12, 2010 30 mins
Wil Wheaton returns and once again battles with Sheldon, this time in a bowling match; and Penny and Leonard have a fight that threatens their relationship.
Episode 20
Mon, May 3, 2010 30 mins
Sheldon tells a lie to appease Penny and Leonard, who aren't speaking to each other, but then he gets caught.
Episode 21
Mon, May 10, 2010 30 mins
The arrival of a famous physicist, has Sheldon and Leonard competing for her attention.
Episode 22
Mon, May 17, 2010 30 mins
Leonard tells Penny the story of how he met Sheldon.
Episode 23
Mon, May 24, 2010 30 mins
In the third-season finale, Wolowitz and Koothrappali play matchmaker for Sheldon by setting up an online-dating profile for him. Meanwhile, Penny thinks that her relationship with Leonard has affected her ability to date "normal" men.