The Citation Negation
🎞️ S12 E9 🤔 Caution

The Big Bang Theory

Is The Big Bang Theory S12 E9 OK for kids?

The Citation Negation

Sheldon and Amy are devastated after learning from a Russian paper that Super Asymmetry has already been discovered and disproven. Also, ultra-competitive Bernadette asks Stuart's girlfriend, Denise, to teach her how to beat Howard in a popular videogame.

📺 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 S12 E9, “The Citation Negation”, scores 1/5 for violence, 2/5 for sex and 3/5 for language, for an overall kid-rating of 3/5 — Preview first — about 10+. Sheldon and Amy are devastated after learning from a Russian paper that Super Asymmetry has already been discovered and disproven. Also, ultra-competitive Bernadette asks Stuart's girlfriend, Denise, to teach her how to beat Howard in a popular videogame.

Across the episode we counted 8 flagged moments in 2 themes: Affairs / cheating (3); Swearing (5). 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+

Language, affairs and cheating, mild sexual content in live-action sitcom.

Parents need to know that The Big Bang Theory S12 E9, "The Citation Negation", 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 swearing (moderate, in dialogue). Sexual content is mild but includes I'm having an affair. Language isn't constant, but you can expect swearing — for example, (chuckles) Son of a bitch. 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

Affairs / cheating 3 moments

How Affairs / cheating shows up in The Big Bang Theory S12 E9:

  • Caution
    I'm having an affair.
  • Caution
    The truth is, I was never having an affair with the cafeteria lady.
  • Caution
    Maybe leave an anonymous note, you know, like in high school, when you want to let your best friend know that her boyfriend's cheating on her.

Swearing 5 moments

How Swearing shows up in The Big Bang Theory S12 E9:

  • Caution
    (chuckles) Son of a bitch.
  • Mild
    It's just a portal to hell.
  • Mild
    Ugh, damn it, why can't I hit anybody? Here, let me try.
  • Mild
    Hey, do you want to play the game, or do you want to crawl back up your mommy's shirt and chow down like a baby? Damn, what is wrong with you? I'm sorry, I thought you wanted to beat your husband.
  • Mild
    Whoo! What a rush! All right, can we go eat now? - Hell yeah.

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