Accessibility Links
Skip to Main Content
Skip to Main Navigation
Skip to Footer
magazine
holidays
win
offers
money
book club
Sign In
Register
Sign In
Register
Settings
Sign out
My account
On TV
On TV
Now
On TV
Tonight
Search
On TV
On TV
Now
On TV
Tonight
TV Guide
News
News
View all News
Entertainment
Entertainment
View all Entertainment
Strictly Come Dancing
X Factor
The Apprentice
I'm a Celebrity
Sci-Fi/ Fantasy
Sci-Fi/ Fantasy
View all Sci-Fi/ Fantasy
Doctor Who
Game of Thrones
Black Mirror
Soaps
Soaps
View all Soaps
Coronation Street
EastEnders
Emmerdale
Hollyoaks
On Demand
On Demand
View all On Demand
Netflix
Amazon Prime Video
Movies
Comedy
Drama
TV
TV
View all TV
TV News
TV On Demand
TV Listings
On Demand
On Demand
View all On Demand
Netflix
Netflix
View all Netflix
Best movies
Best TV shows
Amazon Prime Video
Film
Film
View all Film
Film News
Film on TV
Film On Demand
Radio
Sky Originals
magazine
holidays
win
offers
money
book club
The Big Bang Theory
E23 of 24
About
Episode Guide
Series 8 - Episode 23
The Maternal Combustion
ADVERTISEMENT
Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share on Pinterest
Share on Google Plus
Share on Reddit
Email to a friend
Review
by
Mark Braxton
The writers never get tired of the bringing together of opposites. And why would they, when it works every time? In the penultimate episode of the series, Sheldon and Leonard’s mothers – one a drawling creationist, the other a purse-lipped psychiatrist. It’s like a summit of superpowers: we know there will be fireworks, the fun is anticipating what will light the touchpaper.
The meeting raises at least two questions: why is Beverly so ghastly to Leonard, and how could Mary possibly have given birth to Sheldon? Those answers may prove elusive, but the story does end with a very surprising hug. Laurie Metcalf is hilarious as Mary; we don’t see nearly enough of her.
There is a sub-plot about Raj, Howard and Stuart being slobby, but that’s a bit like the third bout on a fight night, when most people have gone home.
Summary
There is a clash of personalities when Sheldon and Leonard's mothers finally meet, while Howard finally decides to do his fair share of the housework - but not without a little help from his friends. Guest starring Christine Baranski and Laurie Metcalf.
Cast & Crew
Leonard Hofstadter
Johnny Galecki
Sheldon Cooper
Jim Parsons
Penny
Kaley Cuoco
Howard Wolowitz
Simon Helberg
Raj Koothrappali
Kunal Nayyar
Amy Farrah Fowler
Mayim Bialik
Bernadette Rostenkowski
Melissa Rauch
Mary Cooper
Laurie Metcalf
Dr Beverly Hofstadter
Christine Baranski
see more
Sitcom
Full Episode Guide
ADVERTISEMENT
The Big Bang Theory could get a second spin-off
There could still be more stories from Sheldon and co to come…
Big Bang Theory’s Jim Parsons reveals why the cast wanted the show to end
Big Bang Theory reveals how Young Sheldon appears in the final series
Young Sheldon cast to appear in The Big Bang Theory's final season
Johnny Galecki promises tears in the last Big Bang Theory episode
Kaley Cuoco has a great idea for how The Big Bang Theory should end
The Big Bang Theory to end with "epic" final episode in 2019
The Emmy Awards forgot to announce one of The Big Bang Theory's nominations
ADVERTISEMENT
Related News
Young Sheldon's Iain Armitage wants to be James Bond or Meryl Streep when he grows up
07 Jun
CBS is "hopeful" that The Big Bang Theory will continue beyond 2019
17 May
Big Bang Theory brings laughter and tears as Amy and Sheldon finally get married
11 May
Big Bang Theory: Here’s your adorable first look at Sheldon and Amy’s wedding
04 May