Content guide
Preview first — about 10+
The Big Bang Theory S5 E16, “The Vacation Solution”, scores 3/5 for violence, 2/5 for sex and 2/5 for language, for an overall kid-rating of 3/5 — Preview first — about 10+. When Sheldon is forced to take his vacation, he goes to work with Amy in her neurobiology lab. Meanwhile, Bernadette wants Howard to sign a pre-nup.
Across the episode we counted 9 flagged moments in 5 themes: Sex & hookups (2); Affairs / cheating (1); Violence & injury (4); Alcohol & drugs (1); Fat-shaming (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 10+Violence, affairs and cheating, sex talk in live-action sitcom.
Parents need to know that The Big Bang Theory S5 E16, "The Vacation Solution", is a live-action sitcom episode. The series is known for more innuendo than the science jokes suggest, but rarely explicit. Sits in the gray area mainly on violence & injury (moderate, in dialogue). Violence includes Penny says, "And you, a grown man fainting at the sight of a little blood". Sexual content is mild but includes Bernadette says, "I don’t know, I don’t want to manipulate him with sex"; Leonard says, "Absolutely not. If I’m gonna be stuck at home with the kids while you’re on location…". Some mild language appears in the dialogue. Characters drink or talk about alcohol and drugs — Penny says, "Once in a while, I think about how I didn’t leave a note on that Mercedes I dinged in…". This episode includes fat-shaming — for example, Sheldon says, "It’s not. I’ll have you know, in the field of physics, we work with particles so small,…". 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 2 moments
How Sex & hookups shows up in The Big Bang Theory S5 E16:
- Bernadette
I don’t know, I don’t want to manipulate him with sex.
- Penny
Oh, sweetie, that’s what sex is for.
Affairs / cheating 1 moment
How Affairs / cheating shows up in The Big Bang Theory S5 E16:
- Leonard
Absolutely not. If I’m gonna be stuck at home with the kids while you’re on location cheating on me with Ryan Gosling, then Leonard gots to get paid. So, you think about us getting married?
Violence & injury 4 moments
How Violence & injury shows up in The Big Bang Theory S5 E16:
- Penny
And you, a grown man fainting at the sight of a little blood.
- Sheldon
I was not myself. I had lost a lot of thumb blood.
- Bernadette
I should probably give you a heads-up about a couple of things. Even though he’s retired from the police force, he still carries his gun. But don’t worry, he won’t shoot it. It’s more of a fashion statement.
- Bernadette
…talk to him, don’t bring up Jimmy Carter, gardeners, foreign people, homosexuals, Sean Penn, Vatican II, gun control, organic food, the designated hitter rule, recycling or the fact that you’re Jewish.
Alcohol & drugs 1 moment
How Alcohol & drugs shows up in The Big Bang Theory S5 E16:
- Penny
Once in a while, I think about how I didn’t leave a note on that Mercedes I dinged in the parking lot last month, but then I have a glass of wine and it passes.
Fat-shaming 1 moment
How Fat-shaming shows up in The Big Bang Theory S5 E16:
- Sheldon
It’s not. I’ll have you know, in the field of physics, we work with particles so small, they make fat jokes about the locus coeruleus, i.e., when your locus coeruleus sits around the house, it sits around the house.
Watch With The Kids · Your kids — your rules! · Informal parent guidance, not an official rating.