He won the MacArthur Fellowship, better known as the Genius Grant.
Sheldon is not only jealous of Berts professional success, but the attention that comes with it.
Sheldon agrees and pursues the research.
Credit: Monty Brinton/CBS
His range of facial expressions prove why Jim Parsons is an award-winning actor.
Penny described it best.
It did look like scrolling through emojis on a phone.
It also appears Berts work is completely legitimate.
This sends Sheldon into a bigger tailspin.
Like an angsty dog or sleep-deprived toddler, Leonard takes his roommate on a walk to calm him down.
While Sheldon addresses his anger issues, Howard introduces Bernadette to an old friend.
Howard basks in the creativity of his invention.
Bernadette points out the toy is entirely offensive.
Amy and Leonard agree.
Meanwhile, Sheldon spies a rock on his stroll with Leonard.
How in the world can someone study rocks for a living?
Moreover, if rocks are so great, then how come paper beats it?
Leonard encourages Sheldon to channel all of his anger into the rock.
He then instructs his friend to throw it as hard as he can.
Leonard laughs so hard he gets a nose bleed.
(This is why we love Leonard.)
Sheldon approaches the next day with a new zest for life.
Sure, hes hobbling along like C-3PO, but that doesnt stop him from offering Bert a proper congratulations.
Bert informs Sheldon that since hes a MacArthur winner, he can nominate someone for the award next year.
Hes thinking about nominating Howard.
Cue Sheldon head-butting a water fountain.
Raj is jealous of the married couples.
Leonard is envious of Rajs family money.
Amy longs for Pennys beauty.
And everyone hated when Penny cut her hair off.
This has nothing to do with jealousy, but the series writers needed to address the issue.
Sheldon finally confesses to Bert that hes having a hard time with his success.
He thought admitting his weakness would help, but the burden is still there.
Cut to Amy wrapping a bandage around Sheldons hand.
Well, hesort ofpunched Bert.
It was more of a Captain Kirk karate chop, but a knight-in-shining-armor reaction nonetheless.
Amy and Leonard eye one another with an understood wall of silence.
Howard will never hear of this conversation.
Theoretical Laughter
Sheldon:I admire you, Leonard.
You are happy with who you are.
You dont get jealous of other people.
Instead of being weighed down by ambition, you just float along like a dead body down a river.
Sheldon:Bert did quality research.
Howard:Did you upgrade Sheldons software last night?
Leonard:Hes learning on his own.
Raj:The robot uprising has begun.
