We are officially headed into the proverbial home stretch for this 6th season of The Big Bang Theory. Last week brought us the 19th episode of the season, and with it, the writers return us to the heart of the show. In a fantastic and heart-warming outing, we are reminded why we love these characters so much, and why we continue to follow them week after week. ""The Closet Reconfiguration" episode saw fit to give us two story lines this past week: one with Penny and Leonard attempting to throw a dinner party, and the other having Howard revisit the abandonment he felt when his dad left he and his mother all those years ago, by way of Sheldon coming across a letter to Howard from his father. The letter itself had long been packed away, for so long that Howard had forgotten it even existed, and thus it was thrust back into his life like a dagger from the past.
While we spent most of the episode wondering what was inside that envelope, what was most interesting in this episode was how all the characters of the cast came to rally around their friend in his time of need. In each of their own ways they were given a moment to help Howard through his time of crisis, and as a group they pulled together to lift him up in what was certainly his most emotional time from the entire past 6 seasons of the show.
And we can all wonder and even complain that we never received a straight answer as to what was actually in the envelope and the contents of the supposed letter therein, but suffice it to say we really wouldn't want it any other way. The writers of this show have put together a stand alone episode of this series that borders on excellence. And part of their great storytelling is that they keep us as viewers and fans guessing and wondering and discussing long after this episode has come and gone. What's important, though, is that we were invited along the way to share in our gang's journey and experience the comfort and emotion they shared with Howard throughout his heartfelt encounter with the past. Columnist's note: Being a child of divorce myself, and also at a somewhat similar age, I can totally relate to the Howard character and the heaviness a discovery like this can come to bear. This week's episode was very well done and handled with utmost respect for the subject matter; the writers have spent six seasons having us come to understand how important Howard's relationship with his mother really is, and just how much his father leaving all those years ago really affected them both and how it helped forge the bond they share. Let's discuss all things Big Bang!!! On Twitter: @davyshrader