Top 10 Times Sheldon Was the Best Character on The Big Bang Theory
#10: When He Says His Vows
“The Bow Tie Asymmetry”
The first time Amy asked Sheldon to say something romantic and from the heart, he just quoted the “Spider-Man” movie. And while that was good enough for Amy at the time, it certainly would not have gone over too well at their wedding. Wedding vows are supposed to be honest and genuine, and truly express your feelings for the person you’re marrying. Or if you’re going to quote a movie, at least quote “Toy Story.” But Sheldon doesn’t need help from a Superhero this time, even though he is at a loss for words. In fact it is his loss for words that leads to some of the most romantic words ever spoken on the show.
#9: When He Moons the Audience
“The Pants Alternative”
Sheldon doesn’t drink alcohol very often, but when he does, he gets drunk, and drunk Sheldon is comic gold. This was the case with his Chancellor's Award for Science acceptance speech. His friends all try to help him get over his fear of public speaking, but nothing works as well as the bottles of wine on the table at the banquet. By the time Dr. Cooper hits the stage to accept his award, he is good and drunk, which leads to a great speech filled with bad jokes, science puns, a few insults and Sheldon mooning the audience… which he doesn’t remember until watching it on YouTube the next morning.
#8: When Howard's Mom Dies
“Comic Book Store Regeneration”
Saying the wrong thing at the wrong time is kind of Sheldon Cooper’s forte. Think making out with Amy on their anniversary and stopping to ask her if he should start watching “The Flash”. So, when Howard got the sad news that his mother had passed away, you can understand everyone being a little nervous when Sheldon asks if he could say something. But, having suffered through the loss of a parent himself, Sheldon understands Howard’s grief better than anyone else there, and is actually able to say the right thing at the right time.
#7: When He Gives His Nobel Prize Speech
“The Stockholm Syndrome”
Sheldon loves to talk about how smart he is, and has always dreamed of winning the Nobel Prize. So you would think that a Nobel Prize acceptance speech would be the perfect storm of those two things coming together. But in a heartwarming and tear-inducing moment, Sheldon uses the platform as a way to honor his friends, rather than selfishly praise himself. The scene comes at the end of the final episode of the series and truly exemplifies just how far Sheldon’s character has evolved over the course of 12 years.
#6: When He Gives Howard His Spot
“The Apology Insufficiency”
There are few things, if any, in the world that Sheldon cares more about than his spot on the couch. It is the center of his universe, and unless you’re his Meemaw you ain’t allowed to sit there. But when he is the reason that Howard doesn’t get security clearance to work on a DoD project, Sheldon feels so bad that he gives Howard his spot. It’s a truly great moment that elicits a genuine reaction of shock and amazement from the studio audience, and tears from Raj. And sure, within a minute and a half he takes his spot back, but for those 94 seconds, Sheldon definitely was the best.
#5: When He Saves Leonard's Life
“The Staircase Implementation”
While some might find a little ambiguity as to what makes someone the “best” character in any given situation, we assume we can all agree that saving someone’s life earns you a “best” moniker. And that is exactly what Sheldon did shortly after Leonard moved into the apartment. In the great flashback episode, we find out that the elevator broke when a canister of rocket fuel exploded. We also learn that Leonard had created the explosion, and would have blown up with it had Sheldon not pushed him out of the way and closed the elevator doors. He saved Leonard’s life, and didn’t narc on him to the authorities.
#4: When He’s Smart Smashed Sheldon
“The Positive Negative Reaction”
When Howard finds out Bernadette is pregnant, he starts freaking out about how much it’s going to cost. To calm him down, the guys take him out for a drink, and Sheldon downs a few cocktails. And while alcohol tends to make most of us less intelligent, a drunk Sheldon is still a genius Sheldon. So, when Howard comes up with a great idea for a guidance system and the guys need Sheldon to focus and confirm their math, he is able to do so without hesitation. He then throws in words of encouragement about Howard’s ability to be a good father, and there he is being the best again.
#3: When He Stands Up for Amy
“The Confirmation Polarization”
Sheldon and Amy’s road to the Nobel Prize definitely had a few bumps in it. But possibly the biggest one is when the two FermiLab scientists want Sheldon to kick Amy off of the nomination to increase the chances that the three of them will win. Since he was a child, there was nothing that Sheldon wanted more than a Nobel Prize, but that was before he met Amy and discovered what it felt like, and what it meant, to be in love. So, even though Amy tells him to do it because she knows how important it is to him, he again avoids the selfish route and instead puts his foot down with the university president.
#2: When He Takes Penny to the Hospital
“The Adhesive Duck Deficiency”
Sheldon loves superheroes, and in one uplifting episode, it’s he who dons the metaphorical superhero cape and comes to the aid of an ailing woman in need. That woman is Penny, and she needs him because she fell in the shower and dislocated her shoulder. It isn’t the smoothest ride, but Sheldon does help her get dressed, drives her to the hospital and brings her home. But this hero’s job isn’t done yet. In one final act of caring heroism, Sheldon sings Penny “Soft Kitty.” Isn’t he just the best!?
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
When He Tells Amy He Loves Her, “The Prom Equivalency”
Before She Can Say It First
When He Asks Penny Not to Crush Leonard, “The Decoupling Fluctuation”
Tries to Protect His Friend
When He Gets Bongos, “The Werewolf Transformation”
No Haircut, So Carefree Sheldon Totally Rocks
When He Builds Shelbot, “The Cruciferous Vegetable Amplification”
Now That’s the Best Mobile Virtual Presence Device
When He Explains Rock Paper Scissors Lizard Spock, “The Lizard-Spock Expansion”
Just Being Able to Recite the Rules So Smoothly
#1: When He Proposes to Amy
“The Long Distance Dissonance”
Sheldon is the kind of guy who likes to plan, research and really think things through before making any major decisions... such as buying a new gaming system. But when it comes to proposing to Amy, all it takes is a kiss. Sure, the kiss comes from another woman, but the second it happens, there’s no hesitation on Sheldon’s part as he stands up, walks out of the room, gets on a plane and arrives at Amy’s door. Deciding between PS4 or XBOX One is hard, but when the choice is Amy or any other woman in the world, Sheldon knows exactly what he wants.
