We just found out howThe Big Bang Theoryplans to celebrateStar Wars: The Force Awakens! Asreportedearlier in the year beforeThe Big Bang Theory Season 9got started this fall, the hit sitcom is going to have an episode devoted to the release of Star Wars 7. And in that same episode, which debuts on Thursday, December 17, the day before The Force Awakens opens in theaters, we’ll see the unexpected return of a fan favorite character! Excited yet?
Yes, Professor Proton lives! Sort of. In an as yet untitled episode arriving next month, Sheldon Cooper is going to be faced with making a very important life decision. And it will require the use of the Force. Though Arthur Jeffries passed away on the show two seasons ago, Emmy winner Bob Newhart will reprise his character as a Force Ghost. As we’ve seen in previous episodes, Professor Proton now lives in the swamps of Dagobah as a Jedi. And he will once again be reluctantly sharing his knowledge withJim Parsons' Sheldon.
Master Jedi Professor Proton will guideSheldonin his crisis, and will help the forlorn doctor sort out his feelings.The Big Bang Theory Season 9kicked off with Sheldon and Amy parting ways. And as we’ll see this week, they are both back on the dating circuit. But it seems that Amy might be getting a little more intimate with her new boyfriend than Shedlon is with his latest paramour. This will lead Sheldon to one crucial conclusion. Will this conclusion revolve around him losing hisV card? Perhaps, but the show runners aren’t sharing that information just yet.
This will be the fourth time Bob Newhart has played Arthur Jeffries on the show. He was first introduced in aSeason 6episode titledThe Proton Resurgence. His appearance won the legendary comedian his first-ever Primetime Emmy Award for Guest Star in a comedy. His character was so popular that he was brought back twice inThe Big Bang Theory Season 7, including an episode titledThe Proton Transmogrificationthat revolved around Star Wars Day and first introduced the idea that Professor Proton was a Force Ghost.
While thisupcoming episodeof The Big Bang Theory will be tied into its own Star Wars mythos, it is not yet known what other Force Awakens surprises are planned. Sheldon, Leonard,Howardand Raj have all been obsessed with theStar Warsfranchise since the show first premiered way back in 2007. There are numerous references littered throughout the episodes, and you can find plenty ofStar Warsmemorabilia throughout the set. And in the episodeThe Convention Conundrum, they brought in classicStar WarsactorsJames Earl Jones(Darth Vader) andCarrie Fisher.
Last week’s episode,The Spock Resonance, gave us our first look at Amy’s new boyfriend, played byHello LadiesstarStephen Merchant. Though, we only got to see him from behind. In this week’s episodeThe Mystery Date Observation, which airs tomorrow, we’ll get to meet Sheldon’s new object of affection,Analeigh Tipton. Not only isAnaleighan actress, she is also an American figure skater and fashion model who most notably placed third on Cycle 11 ofAmerica’s Next Top Model. She’s also known for her roles inCrazy Stupid LoveandWarm Bodies. In an interesting twist of fate,Analeigh Tiptonhas actually appeared on The Big Bang Theory before. She played herself several seasons ago in a storyline that revolved aroundAmerica’s Next Top Model. This time out, though, it sounds like she will be playing an actual character created for the show. Will she be the cause of Professor Proton’s Force Ghost appearance? We’ll have to wait until December 17 to find out.
