It's been four months since we were last treated with a new episode of The Big Bang Theory.  When we last saw TV's smartest leading duo, Leonard finally asked Penny out on a date after she broke up with her boyfriend while Sheldon became the reluctant advisor of the budding couple.

After the first season's first date “cliffhanger,” The Big Bang Theory returns tonight at 8pm ET/PT on CBS.

Read on for a preview.
Warning: May contain spoilers.

In the second season opener called "The Bad Fish Paradigm," Sheldon's not-exactly-peripheral role plays a big part in the unlikely romance between Leonard and Penny.  After a less-than-stellar first date, Leonard attempts to kiss Penny in the hallway and realizes the guys have secretly rigged camera's to spy on them.

Penny, on the other hand, confides in a Leonard's reluctant and anti-social roommate Sheldon about an embarrassing secret that threatens to derail her budding romance with Leonard.

“But there's not another single other person she could go to, Jim Parsons, who plays Sheldon, told TV Guide about Penny.  “She could go to Rajesh or Wolowitz, but they're not going to be any help either.  I really enjoy any time that they stick Sheldon and Penny in a scene together. Of the five major cast members, they are the two opposite ends of the pole, the north and the south.  They are the least likely to understand what the other is saying.”

Returning for the sophomore season of Big Bang Theory are Jim Parsons as Sheldon, Johnny Galecki as Leonard, Kaley Cuoco as Penny, Kunal Nayyar as Rajesh Koothrappali, and Simon Helberg as Howard Wolowitz.

Also joining cast of The Big Bang Theory in tonight's episode is Sara Gilbert, who reprises her role as Leslie Winkle, and Carol Ann Susi, who guest stars as Mrs. Wolowitz.


Kris De Leon, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: CBS, TV Guide
(Image courtesy of CBS)