The Big Bang Theory S7E9 - "The Thanksgiving Decoupling" Recap

Howard tells the gang that they have all been invited by his mother to spend Thanksgiving with them. Before heading off, Penny says that she once spent a Thanksgiving in Vegas with Zack and how they had one of those "silly fake weddings." The group learns on at her in horror and tell her that those are real. Penny is horrified and says that it didn't seem real.

Bernadette's father, Mr. Rostenkowski, is also spending Thanksgiving with the group and brings 2 six-packs of beer. Amy repeatedly chides Sheldon for comparing his being forced to attend Thanksgiving to being a slave brought to American from Africa. Things are tense between Leonard and Penny after the marriage revelation. Bernadette and Raj are in the kitchen and Bernadette tells Howard to go out and spend time with her father. He tries to bond with him but it's to no avail. Sheldon, Amy, Penny, and Leonard arrive  in low spirits. Howard laughs when he learns about Penny's marriage.

Amy joins Bernadette and Raj in the kitchen. Raj delegates the tasks to prepare the dinner amongst the three of them. Howard continues to struggle with making conversation with Mr. Rostenkowski. When Sheldon unexpectedly reveals he has extensive knowledge of football, since his father forced him to watch it before he could do his homework. Mr. Rostenkowski begins to bond with Sheldon, happy to have someone to discuss the game with. Penny informs Leonard she has invited Zach to Thanksgiving so he can sign annulment papers, but Leonard is initially upset at his being invited to their holiday festivities.

Mr. Rostenkowski asks Sheldon if his father still lives in Texas and Sheldon tells him he died when he was 14. He decides to give Sheldon a beer to make up for the missed experience of having his first drink with his father. Zach arrives and is reluctant to sing the papers, saying that splitting up can be rough on kids. Penny reminds him that they have no kids and he asks if he is sure, since she didn't even know they were married until that morning. She then gets into an argument with Leonard, who she resents for throwing all her mistakes into her face. But she then insists that Zach sign the papers, which he does.

Sheldon has been knocking back more beers with Mr. Rostenkowski and enjoy the drunken merriment. He says that he didn't want to come at first but is now having a great time. Bernadette comes out demanding that the pair apologise to Howard for making fun of him all day but Sheldon merely finds her anger funny when combined with her small stature. Amy tells him to apologise and he does so, attributing his bad behaviour to the alcohol he has consumed. Howard and Bernadette accept his apology. Sheldon then gestures to Amy and says to Mr. Rostenkowski, "Ain't she great?" He then tells Amy, "Now how's about you get us a couple more beers?" and smacks her on the bum. She heads to the kitchen with a mischievous grin on her face.

The gang gathers around for Thanksgiving dinner. Penny and Leonard make up. Mike pays Howard a compliment and says he is saying this because he is drunk. Sheldon steps out of the room and comes back in, announcing he has just thrown up on some clowns. He laughs and sits back down.

The Big Bang Theory airs on Thursdays on CBS at 8PM.