The Big Bang Theory backdrop
Comedy

The Best Episodes of The Big Bang Theory Season 2

Every episode of The Big Bang Theory Season 2 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The Big Bang Theory Season 2!

Binge this in 7h 58m•Peaking at 8.2/10

Physicists Leonard and Sheldon find their nerd-centric social circle with pals Howard and Raj expanding when aspiring actress Penny moves in next door.

Airs on
CBS
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons12

All123456789101112

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    The Big Bang Theory Season 2 Episode 1 - The Bad Fish Paradigm
    7.8/10(66 votes)

    #1 - The Bad Fish Paradigm

    S2:E1

    Penny's first date with Leonard goes awry; Penny finds Sheldon to be an unwilling confidant.

    Director:Mark Cendrowski
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. The Big Bang Theory Season 2 Episode 2 - The Codpiece Topology
    7.6/10(52 votes)

    #2 - The Codpiece Topology

    S2:E2

    A jealous Leonard reacts to Penny's new guy by rebounding with Leslie.

    Director:Mark Cendrowski
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. The Big Bang Theory Season 2 Episode 3 - The Barbarian Sublimation
    7.9/10(59 votes)

    #3 - The Barbarian Sublimation

    S2:E3

    Sheldon creates a monster when he introduces Penny to online gaming.

    Director:Mark Cendrowski
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. The Big Bang Theory Season 2 Episode 4 - The Griffin Equivalency
    7.6/10(55 votes)

    #4 - The Griffin Equivalency

    S2:E4

    Raj gets an inflated ego and makes a play for Penny after being referenced in a magazine article.

    Director:Mark Cendrowski
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. The Big Bang Theory Season 2 Episode 5 - The Euclid Alternative
    7.6/10(55 votes)

    #5 - The Euclid Alternative

    S2:E5

    Leonard and his friends stage an intervention to force Sheldon to face his fear of driving.

    Director:Mark Cendrowski
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. The Big Bang Theory Season 2 Episode 6 - The Cooper-Nowitzki Theorem
    7.9/10(58 votes)

    #6 - The Cooper-Nowitzki Theorem

    S2:E6

    Sheldon and the gang are confused when a young grad student is attracted to him.

    Director:Mark Cendrowski
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of The Big Bang Theory

    READ
  7. The Big Bang Theory Season 2 Episode 7 - The Panty Piñata Polarization
    7.9/10(55 votes)

    #7 - The Panty Piñata Polarization

    S2:E7

    When Sheldon bans Penny from the apartment for numerous minor infractions, she decides to retaliate.

    Director:Mark Cendrowski
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. The Big Bang Theory Season 2 Episode 8 - The Lizard-Spock Expansion
    7.5/10(53 votes)

    #8 - The Lizard-Spock Expansion

    S2:E8

    Leonard inadvertently steals away the new woman Wolowitz thinks is the love of his life.

    Director:Mark Cendrowski
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. The Big Bang Theory Season 2 Episode 9 - The White Asparagus Triangulation
    7.4/10(54 votes)

    #9 - The White Asparagus Triangulation

    S2:E9

    Sheldon is thrilled when Leonard starts dating a woman who meets Sheldon's stringent standards.

    Director:Mark Cendrowski
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. The Big Bang Theory Season 2 Episode 10 - The Vartabedian Conundrum
    7.0/10(56 votes)

    #10 - The Vartabedian Conundrum

    S2:E10

    Leonard asks Penny for advice when his new relationship starts moving too fast.

    Director:Mark Cendrowski
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. The Big Bang Theory Season 2 Episode 11 - The Bath Item Gift Hypothesis
    8.2/10(65 votes)

    #11 - The Bath Item Gift Hypothesis

    S2:E11

    Penny starts dating Leonard's handsome colleague; Leonard and his friends are tortured by Sheldon's obsession with gift-giving etiquette.

    Director:Mark Cendrowski
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. The Big Bang Theory Season 2 Episode 12 - The Killer Robot Instability
    7.5/10(52 votes)

    #12 - The Killer Robot Instability

    S2:E12

    Penny's criticism of Wolowitz's romantic life pushes him into depression and AWOL for a fighting robot battle the rest of guys are depending on him for.

    Director:Mark Cendrowski
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. The Big Bang Theory Season 2 Episode 13 - The Friendship Algorithm
    7.6/10(56 votes)

    #13 - The Friendship Algorithm

    S2:E13

    Sheldon creates a scientific procedure for making friends.

    Director:Mark Cendrowski
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. The Big Bang Theory Season 2 Episode 14 - The Financial Permeability
    7.5/10(53 votes)

    #14 - The Financial Permeability

    S2:E14

    Sheldon's solution to Penny's financial difficulty leads to a confrontation between Leonard and Penny's ex-boyfriend.

    Director:Mark Cendrowski
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. The Big Bang Theory Season 2 Episode 15 - The Maternal Capacitance
    8.2/10(53 votes)

    #15 - The Maternal Capacitance

    S2:E15

    Leonard and Penny are drawn together after a disastrous visit from Leonard's mother.

    Director:Mark Cendrowski
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. The Big Bang Theory Season 2 Episode 16 - The Cushion Saturation
    7.5/10(55 votes)

    #16 - The Cushion Saturation

    S2:E16

    A paintball game leads to a fight between Sheldon and Penny, and romance for Leslie and Wolowitz.

    Director:Mark Cendrowski
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. The Big Bang Theory Season 2 Episode 17 - The Terminator Decoupling
    7.6/10(58 votes)

    #17 - The Terminator Decoupling

    S2:E17

    Leonard, Sheldon and Wolowitz are ecstatic to learn that a famous science-fiction actress (Summer Glau) is on board the train they are taking to San Francisco.

    Director:Mark Cendrowski
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. The Big Bang Theory Season 2 Episode 18 - The Work Song Nanocluster
    7.6/10(54 votes)

    #18 - The Work Song Nanocluster

    S2:E18

    Penny's home business turns into a complete nightmare when Sheldon takes over.

    Director:Peter Chakos
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. The Big Bang Theory Season 2 Episode 19 - The Dead Hooker Juxtaposition
    7.6/10(54 votes)

    #19 - The Dead Hooker Juxtaposition

    S2:E19

    Penny squares off with a new beautiful female neighbor who may become the building's "new Penny."

    Director:Mark Cendrowski
    Writer:Steven Molaro

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. The Big Bang Theory Season 2 Episode 20 - The Hofstadter Isotope
    7.6/10(52 votes)

    #20 - The Hofstadter Isotope

    S2:E20

    A fellow comic book enthusiast's hitting on Penny leads to Leonard and Howard going to a bar's Ladies' Night.

    Director:Mark Cendrowski
    Writer:David Goetsch

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. The Big Bang Theory Season 2 Episode 21 - The Vegas Renormalization
    7.5/10(57 votes)

    #21 - The Vegas Renormalization

    S2:E21

    Leonard and Koothrappali escort a heartbroken Wolowitz to Las Vegas, and Sheldon becomes locked out of his apartment and must stay with Penny.

    Director:Mark Cendrowski
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. The Big Bang Theory Season 2 Episode 22 - The Classified Materials Turbulence
    7.5/10(51 votes)

    #22 - The Classified Materials Turbulence

    S2:E22

    Penny's second date with Stuart sees her making a comment that gives Leonard new hope for a relationship with her. Wolowitz realizes there's a crucial error in a NASA project he's working on.

    Director:Mark Cendrowski
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. The Big Bang Theory Season 2 Episode 23 - The Monopolar Expedition
    7.5/10(53 votes)

    #23 - The Monopolar Expedition

    S2:E23

    The guys' plan to work over the summer at the North Pole makes Penny revaluate her feelings for Leonard.

    Director:Mark Cendrowski
    Writers:Eric Kaplan, Richard A. Rosenstock

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Season 2 Ratings Summary

"The Bad Fish Paradigm" is the best rated episode of "The Big Bang Theory" season 2. It scored 7.8/10 based on 66 votes. Directed by Mark Cendrowski and written by Unknown, it aired on 9/22/2008. This episode is rated 0.2 points higher than the second-best, "The Codpiece Topology".