The Herb Garden Germination
🎞️ S4 E20 🤔 Gray area

The Big Bang Theory

Is The Big Bang Theory S4 E20 OK for kids?

The Herb Garden Germination

Sheldon and Amy experiment on their friends by spreading gossip, while Howard takes a big step in his relationship with Bernadette.

📺 Where to watch

Netflix, HBO or Disney+ — catalogs differ by country.

🛒 Where to buy

Digital seasons or a box set to keep.

Content guide

👊 Violence
💋 Sex
🙊 Language
⭐ Overall

Preview first — about 10+

The Big Bang Theory S4 E20, “The Herb Garden Germination”, scores 2/5 for violence, 3/5 for sex and 3/5 for language, for an overall kid-rating of 3/5 — Preview first — about 10+. Sheldon and Amy experiment on their friends by spreading gossip, while Howard takes a big step in his relationship with Bernadette.

Across the episode we counted 10 flagged moments in 3 themes: Sex & hookups (5); Violence & injury (1); Swearing (4). 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.

Watch for — every moment, theme by theme

Sex & hookups 5 moments

How Sex & hookups shows up in The Big Bang Theory S4 E20:

  • Amy Yes. He looks much cooler than the non-smoking monkeys. Although it’s not much of a contest. The other monkeys just sit around and masturbate.
  • Penny All right, try thinking about this. Sheldon and Amy had sex.
  • Leonard Do you think a sexually ambivalent Indian astrophysicist with selective mutism and alcohol issues is better than a hundred-pound Jewish guy who lives with his mom?
  • Amy Sheldon and I engaged in sexual intercourse. In other news, I’m thinking of starting an herb garden. Mum’s the word. Gotta go.
  • Amy Bernadette just asked about my sexual encounter with you. The meme has reached full penetration.

Violence & injury 1 moment

How Violence & injury shows up in The Big Bang Theory S4 E20:

  • Sheldon (Leonard mimes drawing an arrow and stabbing Sheldon with it.) That was uncalled for, but I’ll play along.

Swearing 4 moments

How Swearing shows up in The Big Bang Theory S4 E20:

  • Penny Oh, that gossipy bitch! No offense.
  • Penny Oh, damn it. I told Amy that in the strictest confidence. Boy, some people are such blabbermouths. Well, whatever, I’m sure Bernadette can do better.
  • Leonard Lucky bastard.
  • Penny What the hell are you doing? Howard is your best friend, and that is his girlfriend. You should be ashamed of yourself.

What to watch in The Big Bang Theory · Season 4 guide

Watch With The Kids · You kids — your rules! · Informal parent guidance, not an official rating.