The Big Bang Theory’s upcoming spin-off officially now has a title: Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, and there are episodes from the flagship that can help prepare for the sequel. Previous Big Bang Theory spin-off series, Young Sheldon and Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, function as prequel stories following the extended Cooper family, but Stuart Fails to Save the Universe will be a sequel. Kevin Sussman’s awkward but lovable comic book shop owner Stuart Bloom will be its lead, with Lauren Lapkus as Denise, Brian Posehn’s geologist Bert Kibbler, and John Ross Bowie’s physicist Barry Kripke will also return.
Rewatching the show, these are some of the funniest returning Big Bang Theory side characters who didn’t have a chance to shine in the original run, which already had a large ensemble cast. It’s a perfect chance to explore Stuart and Denise’s relationship. In the limited time Kripke and Bert had in The Big Bang Theory, it’s clear they were excellent scientists doing interesting work that we didn’t get to see except when it intersected with Sheldon or another of the main gang. These 12 episodes make me more excited than ever for Stuart Fails to Save the Universe.
12
The Vengeance Formulation (season 3, episode 9)
Kripke Starts A Prank War With Sheldon
This episode highlights Barry Kripke’s mischievous side, as he pranks Sheldon by pumping helium into Sheldon’s office during a phone interview, causing Sheldon’s voice to become a high-pitched squeak. So many characters walk on eggshells around Sheldon, Kripke’s antagonistic pranks and fearlessness in needling Sheldon were a welcomed change of pace.
The plan backfires when Kripke unexpectedly arrives with a group of VIPs, including the university president.
Kripke’s rivalry with Sheldon is never fully elucidated, but I’ve always felt Sheldon makes himself a target by taking himself so seriously. In retaliation, Sheldon attempts to prank Kripke by dumping liquid foam all over his lab. However, the plan backfires when Kripke unexpectedly arrives with a group of VIPs, including the university president — and to make matters worse, Sheldon’s taped confession ensures everyone knows exactly who’s to blame.
11
The Toast Derivation (season 4, episode 17)
Stuart And Kripke Are Recruited As Alternate Friends For Sheldon
Sheldon is upset to realize Leonard is the center of the established friend group, not him, so Sheldon decides to assemble a new friend group built around him: Stuart from the comic book store, Barry Kripke from the university, and Penny’s ex-boyfriend Zack. Kripke hijacks Sheldon’s plan, bringing up a karaoke machine from his car that everyone but Sheldon is excited to use.
While this version of friendship isn’t what Sheldon intended, it makes me even more excited for Stuart Fails to Save the Universe. Seeing Kripke and Stuart hanging out with Zack had a different, looser vibe than the original Big Bang Theory friend group. Their laid-back nature — bonding over beers and karaoke rather than scientific debates — feels like a refreshing change of pace within a familiar world. This more casual dynamic has the potential to expand the franchise’s humor in new and unexpected ways, and hopefully Zack can make an appearance in Stuart Fails to Save the Universe.
10
The Cooper/Kripke Inversion (season 6, episode 14)
Sheldon Is Forced To Work With Kripke
Caltech forces Sheldon and Kripke to work together on a proposal, and as work rivals they are naturally reluctant to share their work. Sheldon is shaken when he realizes Kripke’s research is far ahead of his, but Kripke attributes Sheldon’s shoddy research to being distracted by “getting laid” all the time by his girlfriend, Amy.
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It’s always compelling to see a character catch Sheldon off guard, especially since Sheldon is so reluctant to admit he’s not the smartest person in the room, and Kripke often has this effect on him. While Kripke’s brilliance in physics is undeniable, it’s amusing that he fails to pick up on Sheldon’s obvious lie as Sheldon awkwardly plays along with Kripke’s assumptions. Kripke’s ability to blend social ease with scientific expertise makes him a refreshing contrast to Sheldon’s rigid personality, offering a rare example of a Caltech scientist with stronger interpersonal skills.
9
The Hesitation Ramification (season 7, episode 12)
Stuart And Raj Attempt To Meet Women
Stuart and Raj bemoan how hard it is to talk to cute girls, so Howard suggests they build their confidence by talking to less intimidating girls. They go to the mall, but spend all day finding reasons not to approach anyone at all. Eventually, Stuart suggests chatting with the mannequins, but Raj says they seem a little “stuck up.”
Stuart is defined by his sadness and loneliness, but he’s also vocal about his desire for friendship and companionship.
The Big Bang Theory often played his depression and bad luck for laughs, yet there was something perpetually hopeful about Stuart’s willingness to keep striving for more and remain open to new experiences. I wish the show had paired him and Raj together more often in the latter half of the series; as two bachelors navigating romantic struggles, their dynamic had the potential for both heartfelt moments and unique comedic chemistry.
8
The Status Quo Combustion (season 7, episode 24)
Stuart’s Store Is Destroyed, So He Takes A Very Different Job
A fire destroys the comic book store, leaving Stuart at a new low for The Big Bang Theory. Stuart needs a place to stay, so Howard offers him a chance to stay at his home if he helps care for Howard’s incredibly difficult mother. Surprisingly, Stuart — or “Stewie,” as Mrs. Wolowitz calls him, hits it off with Howard’s mom, who has terrorized nurse after nurse.
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Stuart’s chemistry with “Debbie,” as she asks him to call her, unsettles Howard and Bernadette, but this marks a new era for Stuart, with a little more stability. Perhaps out of desperation, Stuart is open and grateful, calling this a “dream job” and refusing to feel ashamed of his friendship with Mrs. Wolowitz, which becomes a big part of his arc in season 8.
7
The Perspiration Implementation (season 9, episode 5)
Stuart Tries To Make The Comic Book Store Friendlier To Women
Stuart recruits Penny, Bernadette, and Amy to help him make his comic book store friendlier to women. Penny reads some online reviews and realizes Stuart’s behavior around women is the real deterrent. His nerves make him come across as awkward and even a little creepy. In a rare moment of self-awareness vocalized aloud, Stuart admits he knows he is too desperate and lonely, and he isn’t where he thought he would be at this point in his life.
It’s a poignant moment of vulnerability that makes his future relationship with Denise that much more meaningful. While The Big Bang Theory often played Stuart’s bad luck for laughs, this deeper emotional layer revealed the sadness beneath his misfortune. It will be interesting to see how Stuart Fails to Save the Universe balances that pathos with comedy, especially now that Stuart is the focal point of the series.
6
The Geology Elevation (season 10, episode 9)
Sheldon Is Jealous Of Bert’s Accomplishment
Bert is awarded the MacArthur Genius Grant, and he remains remarkably humble about both the money and the praise that follows. His thoughtful nature shines through when he expresses a desire to spread the wealth, specifically by nominating Howard for the next year’s award, recognizing that engineers don’t often receive much glory. When Sheldon admits he’s jealous, Bert gently reminds him of all the things Sheldon has to be grateful for, including Amy. Bert’s contentment with life’s simple pleasures, like his plan to get LASIK surgery and attend a taping of Ellen, highlights his grounded personality.
Despite several people saying yes, Howard only realizes he’s in the wrong when Barry Kripke says no, ironically serving as Howard’s moral compass.
In a separate subplot, Howard builds a miniature Stephen Hawking robot and polls people to determine if it’s offensive. Despite several people saying yes, Howard only realizes he’s in the wrong when Barry Kripke says no, ironically serving as Howard’s moral compass. The fact that Kripke is positioned as the litmus test for inappropriate behavior is especially amusing given Howard Wolowitz’s redemption after his questionable history early in The Big Bang Theory.
5
The Geology Methodology (season 11, episode 7)
Bert Wants To Collaborate With Sheldon
Bert asks Sheldon to collaborate on a project, but he quickly realizes Sheldon intends to keep his geology work a secret. Offended by Sheldon’s embarrassment over the discipline, Bert shows his self-respect and kicks Sheldon off the project, replacing him with Leonard.
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Interestingly, while Bert openly admits to being lonely, he still refuses to tolerate Sheldon’s disrespect. It’s always refreshing to see how side characters in The Big Bang Theory challenge Sheldon’s behavior, and Bert’s easygoing yet quietly self-assured nature makes his response particularly satisfying. His ability to maintain firm boundaries despite his loneliness adds depth to his character, which makes me even more excited to see him return in Stuart Fails to Save the Universe.
4
The Solo Oscillation (season 11, episode 13)
Bert Replaces Howard In The Band
With a new baby at home, Howard doesn’t have time for band practice, so he suggests Raj invite Bert, who plays guitar, to take his place. As it turns out, Bert isn’t just a musician, he also writes his own songs, including a rock anthem told from the perspective of the boulder in Indiana Jones. They land a bar mitzvah gig, where Bert ends up rocking a little too hard for the crowd, but his song turns out to be catchier than I expected.
Bert’s passion for geology shines through in his music. His unexpected musical talent makes him feel like a more well-rounded character, and it’s exciting to think about how Stuart Fails to Save the Universe might expand on these layers of Bert’s personality.
3
The Comet Polarization (season 11, episode 21)
Denise’s Comic Expertise Impresses Even Sheldon
Stuart’s comic book store becomes more popular after a famous sci-fi author tweets a glowing review, so Stuart hires a new assistant manager: Denise. Sheldon can’t trust Denise, so he puts her knowledge to the test, and Denise immediately win him over with a spot-on recommendation based only on the context clues of his graphic T-shirt.
It’s a fun twist to see Stuart’s store thriving, and Denise is a great if underrated addition. Her expertise impresses even Sheldon, and it’s nice to see a woman who truly loves comic books written into the show. This introduction of Denise sets the stage for her increased importance in the final season of The Big Bang Theory, and she’ll likely play a significant role in Stuart Fails to Save the Universe as well.
2
The Bow Tie Asymmetry (season 11, episode 24)
Denise and Stuart’s Relationship Begins To Change
Stuart asks Denise to go to Sheldon and Amy’s wedding, but not as a date, just as friends. Initially, Denise is inclined to say no because they work together, but when she learns that Mark Hamill, the legendary Luke Skywalker, will officiate the wedding, she’s determined not to miss it. At the wedding, Stuart impresses Denise with his extensive Star Wars trivia knowledge, even correcting Mark Hamill himself.
After so many seasons of bad luck, it’s heartening to see Stuart begin to thrive. Denise’s confidence is clearly a positive influence on him, even in the early stages of their romance. Their shared nerdy interests make them feel like the most genuine and relatable couple on The Big Bang Theory, grounded in mutual respect and enthusiasm for the same things.
1
The Wedding Gift Wormhole (season 12, episode 2)
Stuart Overprepares For His First Date With Denise
Raj and Howard encourage Stuart to ask Denise out on a proper date. She says yes, but Stuart gets in his head and over-prepares for the date by getting a spray-tan that turns him incredibly orange. Denise takes this faux pas in stride, keeping things light when she says she still wants to go out with him and suggests they might try to “find Nemo” or maybe grab some “orange chicken” for dinner.
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Denise’s humor and ability to roll with the punches will serve her well in a relationship with Stuart, as bad luck seems to follow him. I’m glad that after many The Big Bang Theory seasons of will-they-or-won’t-they with Leonard and Penny, Stuart and Denise’s courtship is straightforward and easy. Denise asks a theoretical question about Superman’s dog Krypto which Stuart has clearly already thought about, so it’s easy to imagine these two will never run out of things to talk about.
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The Big Bang Theory
6/10
- Release Date
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2007 – 2018
- Showrunner
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Mark Cendrowski