The Maternal Combustion
🎞️ S8 E23 ✅ All clear

The Big Bang Theory

Is The Big Bang Theory S8 E23 OK for kids?

The Maternal Combustion

Personalities collide when Sheldon and Leonard's mothers finally meet. Meanwhile, Howard finally decides to "man up" and do his fair share of the housework - but not without a little help from his friends.

📺 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

Mild — okay from about 10+

The Big Bang Theory S8 E23, “The Maternal Combustion”, scores 1/5 for violence, 1/5 for sex and 2/5 for language, for an overall kid-rating of 2/5 — Mild — okay from about 10+. Personalities collide when Sheldon and Leonard's mothers finally meet. Meanwhile, Howard finally decides to "man up" and do his fair share of the housework - but not without a little help from his friends.

Across the episode we counted 3 flagged moments in 3 themes: Sex & hookups (1); Nudity & bodies (1); Violence & injury (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.

Watch for — every moment, theme by theme

Sex & hookups 1 moment

How Sex & hookups shows up in The Big Bang Theory S8 E23:

  • Dr Hofstadter Seems odd to try and impress your mother with your sexual prowess. But then, you always did have that unresolved Oedipal complex.

Nudity & bodies 1 moment

How Nudity & bodies shows up in The Big Bang Theory S8 E23:

  • Amy Sure, his mom gets roses. When I want them, they’re a bouquet of severed plant genitals.

Violence & injury 1 moment

How Violence & injury shows up in The Big Bang Theory S8 E23:

  • Mrs Cooper Doesn’t matter, a good Christian would’ve turned the other cheek. On the other hand, a good Texan would’ve shot her, so, I just kind of split the difference. Hey, who’s in the mood for spaghetti and hot dogs?

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