5 Best The Big Bang Theory Episodes of All Time, and 5 Worst

While fans of The Big Bang Theory campaigned to bring the show back, it actually had a very good 12-year run on television. With each season consisting of about 20 episodes, viewers got hours and hours of content with their favorite characters.

Rewatching the entire series could take weeks, but if you don't have that much time, or you're just not ready to fully commit to it, check out the list of the 5 best The Big Bang Theory episodes to include in your rewatch, and the 5 worst episodes you can easily skip, according to IMDb.

BEST: The Bow Tie Asymmetry (S11E24) – 9.0/10

Many people thought the 11th season of the show was a little slow compared to others, but the finale made up for it in just half an hour. It was a fun and dynamic episode with great dialogue, lots of guest stars, and of course Sheldon and Amy at the center of everyone's attention as newlyweds. All in all, a very positive episode.

WORST: The Planetarium Collision (S12E05) – 6.8/10

By the end of the show, The Big Bang Theory felt increasingly tired. The actors were still as brilliant as ever, but the rudeness presented as humor, and some attempts to enter ‘woke’ territory by having Sheldon acknowledge the concept of mansplaining, didn't sit well with viewers. The episode ended up being everything fans of the show hate.

BEST: The Opening Night Excitation (S9E11) – 9.0/10

This is the perfect episode not only for fans of The Big Bang Theory, but also for anyone who enjoys Star Wars, as it revolves around the premiere of the new movie. The Opening Night Excitement is a perfect example of how the show used to incorporate pop culture into its storyline while still keeping it fun and lighthearted.

WORST: The Athenaeum Allocation (S11E17) – 6.8/10

As mentioned above, season 11 was not a fan favorite in any way, save for the final episode. The struggle everyone went through to make Sheldon and Amy's wedding great was drawn out, and the problems the characters faced throughout the season were more depressing than entertaining. This episode is one of the best illustrations of that.

BEST: The Staircase Implementation (S3E22) – 9.0/10

By the end of season three, viewers had already fallen in love with the entire group of friends, but they were in for an even better surprise when they got an entire episode to celebrate the beginning of their favorite characters' friendship. Plus, the episode answers one of the biggest questions out there: what happened to the elevator?

WORST: The Cognition Regeneration (S10E22) – 6.8/10

Many fans of The Big Bang Theory feel that the show has been unnecessarily unfair to Penny and her career path. This time, when the opportunity for a great job presented itself, she had to deal with another wave of Leonard's insecurities, simply because it was her ex, Zack, for whom she would be working. Very cringey!

BEST: The Bath Item Gift Hypothesis (S2E11) – 9.1/10

Penny and Sheldon's relationship was one of the most precious things about The Big Bang Theory. Though their love for each other was never romantic, they shared a perfect sibling bond that viewers couldn't get enough of. Nothing translates their love for each other better than this sweet Christmas special.

WORST: The Matrimonial Momentum (S9E1) – 6.8/10

The wedding day is supposed to be the happiest day of any couple's lives, but Leonard ruined it by confessing that he had kissed another woman. The fact that they went through with the wedding infuriated many fans who weren't able to forgive Leonard as quickly as Penny, so it wasn't well received overall.

BEST: The Stockholm Syndrome (S12E24) – 9.5/10

It's not often that the last episode of a show becomes its best, but that's the case with The Big Bang Theory. The writers have managed to create a finale that perfectly wraps up all the ongoing storylines and leaves its viewers with a hopeful feeling that life will go on in the fictional universe even after the credits roll.

WORST: Unaired Pilot – 6.5/10

There is a reason why the first pilot of The Big Bang Theory did not air. Audiences did not like the female lead, the jokes felt a little too cruel, and the show did not have the friendly vibe it ended up with after all the changes were made. Still, the unaired pilot is a fun watch, especially if you want to learn more about the show's history.