30 of the most-memorable moments from

‘The Big Bang Theory’ (part 1)

“The Big Bang Theory” is ending after more than a decade on air.
It’s had plenty of memorable moments.
Penny and Leonard’s engagement was definitely one.
Sheldon and Amy’s wedding was another.
This post contains spoilers from “The Big Bang Theory.”
On Thursday, May 16, millions of fans will finally say goodbye forever to smash-hit CBS sitcom “The Big Bang Theory.”

For more than 12 years and 276 episodes, Sheldon, Leonard, Howard, Raj, Amy, Bernadette, and Penny brought smiles to our faces with their unapologetically nerdy banter, love for one another, and of course, the bazingas.

To prepare you for the upcoming series finale, INSIDER compiled a list of Big Bang Theory’s best scenes over the past 12 years.

Check out our roundup below to revisit some of the show’s most-memorable moments:

When Penny kissed Leonard for the first time.

After watching her jock ex-boyfriend nearly get into a fight with Leonard at her Halloween party, Penny heads over to the latter’s apartment and kisses him for the first time. It’s the kiss that set up the beginning of their will-they-won’t-they dynamic and helped to establish them as the show’s OG couple.

When the guys went to their first party at Penny’s.

If you’re looking for a scene that illustrates the essence of all the guys’ in the earlier seasons, look no further than that first Halloween party at Penny’s apartment in season one.

Between Sheldon getting frustrated at the party guests inability to guess his Doppler effect costume and Leonard yelling “That’s how we do it in the Shire!” in his Frodo costume after kissing Penny, this season one episode showed viewers that the characters’ unapologetic nerdiness would define the show.

When the “soft kitty” song became a thing.

Of all the recurring bits on the show, few are sure to make you melt the way the “Soft Kitty” does. Viewers are first introduced to the lullaby when a bedridden Sheldon asks a hesitant Penny to sing it to him. She agrees after learning that Sheldon’s mother used to sing it to him every time he was sick.

The moment brings the two closer together and lays the foundation for their unique friendship dynamic that would continue for the next eleven seasons. Throughout the remainder of series, the two occasionally sang the song to each other, and one point, Leonard and Penny even sang it to a sleeping Sheldon.

When the gang found out the power of liquid courage on Raj.

One of the defining characteristics of Dr. Rajesh Koothrappali during the first half of the series was his inability to speak to women. But when Penny practices her bartending skills on the guys and hands him a drink, it suddenly works magic on his social skills.

When Penny gave Sheldon the best gift.

Thanks to Sheldon’s compulsive need to ensure gift exchanges are even, he buys a series of generic baskets at varied price points to give to Penny for the holidays. Since he anticipates her gift to him will be a superficial and meaningless he believes this is the only acceptable way to return the gesture.

Of course, Sheldon soon realizes he underestimated how well his neighbor knows him. When he opens the gift box and finds a tissue that was one used by his hero, a.k.a “Star Trek” legend Leonard Nimoy, he is stunned. The result? He decides to give Penny literally every basket he bought.

When Penny punched Sheldon.

If you needed a reminder that the guys love Lord of The Rings (Leonard did dress as a Hobbit during the first Halloween episode) this was it. After the group comes upon an actual ring that was used in the Lord of the Rings movies, each guy becomes determined to be the sole owner. As expected, tricks, deception, and near chaos ensues.

But once Penny uppercuts Sheldon in the mouth for sneaking up on her in her sleep, it becomes clear this game involves no funny business.

When Sheldon and Penny met Stan Lee at his house.

“The Big Bang Theory” has been well lauded for its memorable roster of guest stars over the years, including Judy Greer, Steve Yeun, Stephen Hawking, Neil Degrasse Tyson, and more. But if there’s one celebrity cameo that’s to be cherished forever, it’s the appearance of the late comic book legend Stan Lee way back in season three.

During this episode, Sheldon scrambles to get out of court so he can meet the esteemed Marvel comics creator at Stuart’s comic book shop. When his plan fails, he and Penny decide to show up at his house, and Sheldon incorrectly reads social cues and invites himself inside.

When Sheldon gave a drunk speech in front of all of his colleagues.

When Sheldon enlists his friends to help him give a proper speech upon accepting The Chancellor’s Award for Science, nothing works. Instead, he takes Penny’s last-minute advice of turning to liquid courage but doesn’t quite know his limit. What follows is a hilariously cringe-worthy speech packed with bad science jokes, a periodic table song, and Sheldon de-pantsing himself on camera.

When Raj gave Howard the funniest best man toast ever.

Speaking of embarrassing drunk speeches, if it’s going to be passionate, you better believe it’s from Rajesh. Despite Howard’s protests, a drunk Raj loudly tells stories about his best friend’s awkward encounters before reminding everyone of his love for his best friend. The scene also features more memorable drunk Sheldon lines, making it the perfect mix of messy and downright hilarious.

When viewers first met Amy.

For the first three seasons, Sheldon Cooper was once thought of as someone who would never in a million years be compatible with another human being. So when Howard and Raj decide to set Sheldon up on a date for their own amusement, they think they’re in for a hilarious evening.

Of course, the joke’s on them when it turns out Amy Farrah Fowler hits it off with Sheldon immediately, displaying similar idiosyncrasies and aversion to social convention. Cue Howard saying to Raj in total disbelief, “What have we done?”

to be continued….