Content guide
Skip for under 13
The Big Bang Theory S1 E5, “The Hamburger Postulate”, scores 2/5 for violence, 4/5 for sex and 1/5 for language, for an overall kid-rating of 4/5 — Skip for under 13. After sensing his pursuit of Penny isn't going anywhere, Leonard agrees to an unexpected sexual encounter with fellow scientist Leslie Winkle.
Across the episode we counted 13 flagged moments in 4 themes: Sex & hookups (8); Nudity & bodies (2); Violence & injury (2); Alcohol & drugs (1). Every moment below is either a direct quote from the episode transcript or a short description of what happens on screen, so you can decide before you press play.
Parents need to know
Age 13+Sex talk, nudity, drinking in live-action sitcom.
Parents need to know that The Big Bang Theory S1 E5, "The Hamburger Postulate", is a live-action sitcom episode. The series is known for more innuendo than the science jokes suggest, but rarely explicit. Driven by sex & hookups (explicit, in dialogue), with nudity & bodies alongside it. Violence is mild but includes Lesley says, "Because I’ve got a bowl of Cheerios and I couldn’t find a knife". Sexual content is explicit — for example, Lesley says, "You stick electrodes in a rat’s brain, give him an orgasm button, he’ll push that thing…"; Explicit body / sex-act language appears in dialogue. Characters drink or talk about alcohol and drugs — Lesley says, "Well, I thought I saw your pupils dilate when you looked at her, which, unless you’re a…". Every flagged moment below is a direct quote from the transcript or a short description of what happens on screen.
Watch for — every moment, theme by theme
Sex & hookups 8 moments
How Sex & hookups shows up in The Big Bang Theory S1 E5:
- Lesley
You stick electrodes in a rat’s brain, give him an orgasm button, he’ll push that thing until he starves to death.
- Leonard
Oh. Okay. A little musical foreplay. Terrific.
- Penny
Well, a little bird told me that you and Lesley hooked up last night.
- Lesley
Just so we’re clear, you understand that me hanging back to practise with you is a pretext for letting you know that I’m sexually available.
- Lesley
So, you’re open to a sexual relationship?
- Penny
Wait, you had to leave the state because your roommate was having sex?
- Sheldon
Boy, you’re wound awfully tight for a man who just had sexual intercourse.
- Lesley
Well, I don’t know about your sex drive, but I’m probably good till New Years.
Nudity & bodies 2 moments
How Nudity & bodies shows up in The Big Bang Theory S1 E5:
- Explicit body / sex-act language appears in dialogue.
- Lesley
Yep, come for the breasts, stay for the brains. So, I’m glad I ran into you, the physics department string quartet needs a new cellist.
Violence & injury 2 moments
How Violence & injury shows up in The Big Bang Theory S1 E5:
- Lesley
Because I’ve got a bowl of Cheerios and I couldn’t find a knife.
- Leonard
Yeah, my parents felt that naming me Leonard and putting me in advanced placement classes wasn’t getting me beaten up enough.
Alcohol & drugs 1 moment
How Alcohol & drugs shows up in The Big Bang Theory S1 E5:
- Lesley
Well, I thought I saw your pupils dilate when you looked at her, which, unless you’re a heroin addict, points to sexual attraction.
Watch With The Kids · Your kids — your rules! · Informal parent guidance, not an official rating.