[s3e11] The Maternal Congruence Guide

: In the opening scene, the gang is watching the 1966 How the Grinch Stole Christmas! . Funnily enough, guest star Christine Baranski also appeared in the 2000 live-action film adaptation.

As Leonard and Penny prepare for Christmas, Leonard fails to mention that his brilliant yet emotionally distant mother is coming to town. When Beverly arrives, the tension quickly mounts: [S3E11] The Maternal Congruence

: Leonard is horrified to discover that Sheldon and Beverly have been in regular contact. Sheldon has known for weeks about major family updates that Leonard was kept in the dark about, including his parents’ pending divorce , the death of the family dog , Mitzy, and Beverly’s recent surgery . : In the opening scene, the gang is

: This episode is notable for being the first of only two in the series where a main character— Raj Koothrappali —appears but has no speaking lines . As Leonard and Penny prepare for Christmas, Leonard

: Sheldon objects to traditional Christmas decorations, instead hanging a bust of Sir Isaac Newton on the tree because Newton was born on December 25th, unlike the historical figure typically associated with the holiday.

Episode Spotlight: " The Maternal Congruence " (Season 3, Episode 11)

In the world of , few characters can unsettle the gang quite like Dr. Beverly Hofstadter . Portrayed with icy precision by Christine Baranski , Leonard’s mother returns in this classic Christmas-themed episode to deliver a holiday visit that is anything but "merry" for her son. Plot Summary: A Holiday of High Tension