- Leonard and Penny try to have a wedding ceremony that everyone can attend, but it creates serious conflict among Sheldon's mother and Leonard's divorced parents. Meanwhile, Howard and Raj become convinced the government is out to get them.
- When she finds out that Beverly was secretly hurt by not being invited to their wedding, Penny makes the unilateral decision to hold another non-legal wedding ceremony to which she and Leonard will invite their closest friends and family, largely to appease Beverly. After Penny is able to convince Leonard to go along with the idea, Leonard makes the unilateral decision to his invite his father, anthropologist Dr. Alfred Hofstadter, a move that does not sit well with Beverly, as she and her ex-husband have been on bad terms with each other since their divorce. Sheldon makes the unilateral decision to his invite his mother to "their" wedding, which could prove to be awkward since Beverly and Mary, in their previous meeting, have shown that they not only don't see eye-to-eye on anything, but that they truly don't like each other. Putting Mary, Beverly and Alfred in one room together is an explosive mixture, but not totally in the way Leonard, Penny or Sheldon would have figured. Meanwhile, Howard has got the guidance system to work. Almost immediately upon that revelation, Howard receives a message from the US Air Force that they would like to meet with him. Beyond the general discussion Howard, Leonard and Sheldon have had about the use of the guidance system and whether they would want it in the hands of an organization that could use it for violent or military purposes, Howard becomes paranoid that Big Brother has been watching his every move, something that Bernadette and Raj try to convince him is not the case, and that the timing of the request was all coincidental. Howard's paranoia takes on interesting proportions, especially as it relates to Penny and Leonard's pre-wedding dinner.—Huggo
- The night after the movie screening (from the previous episode), Leonard comes in while Penny is sitting on the bed. She kind of promised Beverly that they would get married again the following weekend so they could do it in front of family and friends. Penny explained that his mother was really hurt for not getting an Wedding invitation. Leonard retorts that their wedding was a spur of the moment thing and that they really don't like his mom. Penny wants to keep it a small affair and that she can invite her whole family now that her brother is out of prison. Leonard would like to invite his dad. He's doing so much better since the divorce (no more twitches and he's an inch and a half taller).
In the kitchen, Penny is explaining to the girls that they are having a renewal of their vows. Amy wants to know if she'll have a maid of honor. Penny asks Bernadette to officiate at the wedding, which causes Amy to complain that she is now just the lousy maid of honor. Sheldon comes in announcing that he has invited his mother to come, also adding that he invited Stephen Hawking, Robert Downey Jr., and Erno Rubik (inventor of the Rubik's Cube). Sheldon is putting himself into their relationship. In Leonard's car, Beverly yells at Leonard for inviting his father Alfred Hofstadter (Judd Hirsch) without consulting her. Leonard feels that he can invite who he wants. Beverly reminds him that their marriage ended because he had an affair. Alfred called her cold, emasculating and not showing him any affection for years.
Howard is working on their invention and realizes that the system is now maintaining its own Orbital stability and orientation. They have a working guidance system! As Raj congratulates him, Howard receives an email from the United States' Air Force. They are requesting a meeting to discuss their guidance system patent. Both of them wonder if they were being watched.
Shamy has picked up Mary (Laurie Metcalf) from the airport. Mary was very happy that Leonard and Penny invited her. Leonard always had a special place in her heart since he always took care of her little baby. Sheldon insists that he took care of Leonard. "Sure you did," replies Mary in a sarcastic tone. Amy tells her that Penny's family is coming the next day and that Beverly will be there which doesn't please Mary as she pulls out her cross necklace. Sheldon points out that she is an atheist not a vampire though Mary wants to get some garlic at the retail store anyway.
In the apartment, Mary and Beverly are having some very awkward chit-chat. Amy thinks that the atmosphere is so chilly she can see her breath. Beverly says that they can hear them.
Howard is in his kitchen complaining to Bernadette and Raj about being extremely naive. He thinks that the military will completely take over their project and that if anyone objects they will just Force disappear. According to Raj, the message was from the USAF acquisition agency and that maybe they want to buy it for a lot of money. But the military took over in "Avatar", "E.T.", "Jurassic World", etc. Bernie reminds him that those were not documentaries.
Leonard and Alfred enter the lobby. Climbing the stairs, he hopes that he has a heart attack so he can avoid Beverly. He is still glad to have come and he feels that Penny is a real sweetie.
Up in the apartment, the only sound is Penny and Amy crunching on some celery and chips. No conversation. Leonard and Alfred arrive and Penny goes up to him and hugs him. After Leonard re-introduces Alfred to Sheldon and introduces him to Mary and Amy for the first time, he then presents Beverly, to whom Alfred says "Hello, my hateful shrew." She replies "Hello to you, you wrinkled old bastard". Penny invites everyone to dinner
Howard is still wondering whether they should respond to the email. Raj points out that the Air Force knows that he opened it. Bernadette wants them to head out to Leonard and Penny's dinner.
Driving his mother to dinner, Beverly hopes that her example of a failed marriage will not discourage them. Of course not, replies Penny. Mary and Alfred are getting to know each other. He says that he is an anthropologist who studies ancient cultures. "All the way back to Genesis the flood?" asks Mary. Although an agnostic, he does appreciate others' beliefs. He had often prayed to God to turn Beverly into a Lot's pillar of salt. Mary adds that he came close and turned into a block of ice. Both laugh.
As Raj and Howard discuss who could help them on their drive to the restaurant, Bernadette tries to convince them that all their movies, television shows and comic books have twisted the way they are thinking. Then Howard notices a car that is following him. The car behind them is Leonard's and they decide to follow Howard since he might know a shortcut. Getting in closer freaks out Howard who makes a sudden turn and speeds up. Leonard continues to follow him fueling Howard and now even Bernadette's paranoia.
At the restaurant, Alfred and Mary are getting to know each other. Leonard and company arrive as they mention Howard's strange behavior. Penny calls Bernadette. Bernie was relieved to learn it was Penny and Leonard following them. They have gotten pulled over and Howard was being given a sobriety test after ranting that the government is after him.
Back at the restaurant, Mary and Alfred are talking. Mary compliments Leonard on his father's charm. Leonard toasts Penny thanking her for a wonderful year of marriage, and for saying yes when he asked her to marry him. Penny thanks him for continuing to ask until she says yes and they kiss. Alfred also makes a toast that he is happy that Leonard has found a woman that loves and cares for him. Beverly squawks as to what the hell he means by that. And they begin arguing with Alfred telling Beverly to take a pill and she replies "Like you did before sex?" He answers "What I really needed was a blindfold". Mary tells everyone to calm down and remember what it says in the Bible: "He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty.". Alfred decides to call it an early night as does Mary. When they find out they are staying at the same hotel, they both decide to share a cab. Penny and Amy see what happened, while Sheldon just thinks that they filled up on bread.
Sheldon tries calling his mother and Leonard tries texting his father, but neither respond, which worries them. Penny laughs saying they turned their phones off. Sheldon and Leonard are quite disturbed at what is being suggested. Are Leonard and Sheldon going to become step-brothers?
Title reference: Everyone converging on the dinner before Leonard and Penny's second wedding ceremony.
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