- The guys struggle to cope with Raj's arrogance after he is featured in a People magazine article.
- Because of his finding and reporting of a previously unknown planetary object, Raj has been named one of People magazine's "30 Under 30 to Watch". In his usual manner, Sheldon mocks this achievement, which hurts Raj's feelings. Regardless, Raj becomes Gablehauser's new star because of the notoriety of the article and the associated money coming into the department. Along with Gablehauser's gushing comes some perks available only to Raj. Raj's fifteen minutes of fame starts to go to his head. He starts to alienate Leonard, Sheldon and Howard. Penny doesn't understand why his friends aren't providing Raj with the support he deserves, especially in attending the magazine's reception on the article. She's the only one of the four attending the function with Raj, hence she'll be his "date", which silently gnaws at Leonard. But Sheldon sees Raj's absence from the group as a potential opportunity.—Huggo
- Raj's discovery of a trans-Neptunian object called 2008 NQ17, (which he nicknames "Planet Bollywood") gets him noticed by People Magazine who want to put him in their "30 under 30 to watch." The guys, especially Sheldon, are not very supportive of his new found semi-fame. The next day they try and apologize to him, only to find that fame has gone to his head, making him insufferable. Penny is angry about their frustration and agrees to go with him to the VIP party, which puts their friendship on the line when he comes on to her.—Jerry Roberts
- Raj is included in People magazine's "30 Visionaries Under 30 Years Old to Watch" list for his discovery of the trans-Neptunian object 2008 NQ17, making his friends jealous (Sheldon questions the quality & credentials of the people who selected him). Raj insists that it was the people's choice and not a jury of academic or scientific peers. Sheldon also questions why accidentally seeing a lump of rock spinning across the solar system for billions of years is more noteworthy than any other scientific accomplishment from anyone under 30 yrs of age), though Leonard argues that they should be happy for him. Leonard forces Sheldon to smile for the sake of their friend, a feat that puts a lot of strain on Sheldon's facial muscles.
Raj becomes arrogant after receiving star treatment from Dr. Gablehauser (he gets his choice for a new and much bigger office) and being given an assistant, so all the guys ditch him (Raj wants them to come for the Magazine's after party, but says they are not invited to the VIP section as they are only P's and not VIPs), and he invites Penny to his People reception. This is the point where even Leonard loses all respect and patience for Raj and the friends ditch him en-mass. Sheldon suggests that this is an opportunity to create a better group by replacing Raj with someone more worthy and fitting in their group
Raj is drunk when he picks up Penny (they had champagne in the limo). He is not impressed with Penny's dress and wanted it to be more "Ridonkulous". Penny is offended by the suggestion that she needs to show more skin, but still decides to go with Raj as she wants to be supportive to her friend
After the party, a very intoxicated Raj returns home with Penny (who practically carries Raj home on her shoulders), and via webcam he introduces her to his parents (Mr and Mrs Koothrapalli, Brian George & Alice Amter) as his girlfriend (Penny objects as she is not Raj's girlfriend). His parents object that she is not Indian, though his father likes Penny's resolute nature (he calls her feisty). Penny denies being Raj's girlfriend, and escapes after he becomes sick from over drinking. Before running away she insists that Raj's parents would be lucky to have her as a daughter in law. The following morning, a sober and shy Raj attempts to give Penny a written apology, but she opens the door and forces him to utter a barely audible "sorry" (as he is sober now, and again cannot talk to women) before forgiving him.
Title reference: Sheldon wanting a griffin (Half Eagle and Half Lion) as his ideal pet (but his parents refused to get him eagle eggs and lion semen) and considering a substitute for Raj as a friend (Howard wants someone with a lot of money and a cool place to live. Sheldon wants a tech lover, Leonard wants him to know a lot of women). They finally agree that the ideal person to replace Raj in their group would be Iron Man.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content