Steve's hip-hop cousin decides to visit, but he doesn't make a good impression, especially after hitting on Laura and encouraging 3J to do things he shouldn't.
Steve's job as a gift-wrapper gives him plenty of Christmas spirit, but little time to spend with Myra; Carl plays a mall Santa and names Laura as his elf.
Sheldon's college orientation experiences fail to align with his plans; Mary is mistakenly assumed to be a university student and asked to attend a party.
Sheldon's new philosophy teacher complicates his first day of college; Mary and Brenda use Missy's first day of middle school as an excuse to live vicariously.
Meemaw takes personal action in response to a toll on Sheldon's mental health; George Sr. comes to learn that Georgie has not been attending all his classes.
Sheldon and George Sr. eat a meal alongside President Hagemeyer and a university benefactor; Missy reels when Mary prevents her from attending the school dance.
Sheldon puts his mind towards working with Dr. Linkletter as an assistant; Georgie forms plans for an unexpected business venture and seeks help from Mr. Lundy.
Monica and Chandler go to a fertility clinic to learn if they are capable of having a baby; Ross helps Joey find the words to say to a girl they both like.
Rachel finally tells Joey about her crush on him and the two make out in Barbados; Joey and Charlie break up and Ross moves in on the now single professor.
Both new couples decide to wait before proceeding with their relationships until the men can talk to each other; Ross walks in on Joey and Rachel kissing.
Ross and Joey talk about Rachel and Ross tries to live with the fact that they are now a couple; Frank Jr. tries to convince Phoebe to take one of the triplets.
Rachel's sister Amy, who recently moved in with her and Joey, gets Emma's ears pierced; Phoebe foils Mike's proposal plan, but the two get engaged anyways.
Ross is up for a big grant, but Charlie's ex-boyfriend is in charge of who gets it; Rachel and Monica fight over who will receive an ugly painting from Phoebe.
A pregnant girl from Ohio selects Monica to adopt her unborn child; Monica and Chandler lock out the gang when they arrive hours late for Thanksgiving dinner.
Sheldon discovers the importance of being empathetic and apologizing after Penny, Leonard and the gang leave for a weekend getaway in Las Vegas without him.
The gang arranges for a special guest to surprise Sheldon on his birthday, along with a few other people from their past who want to make the day memorable.
Christmas becomes a stressful time for everyone as Leonard's handsome colleague starts dating Penny and Sheldon pesters the gang with his gift etiquette.
While Sheldon travels back home to Texas, everyone gathers to decorate the apartment's Christmas tree, only to realize how much he affected their lives.
Sheldon and Amy return from their holiday trip to Texas and recount the terrible events that took place during their trip; Leonard and Penny get a tree.
The gang arranges for a special guest to surprise Sheldon on his birthday, along with a few other people from their past who want to make the day memorable.
Wolowitz reconsiders his decision to apply with Leonard and Sheldon for a patent for their infinite persistence gyroscope; Koothrappali receives dating advice.
Snot learns that his deceased father was a demolition derby driver; Hayley embarks on a road trip with her younger brother so that Steve can learn to drive.
Francine is spirited away to a desolate Patagonian island, where Roger hopes to improve her terrible cooking; Stan is unable to speak due to a nail in his head.
Urkel decides to break up with Myra and finally get together with Laura, his true love; Eddie decides to follow in the footsteps of his father and become a cop.