Very funny "Big Bang Theory" third season premiere. Sheldon quits his position at Cal Tech and runs away after discovering that his colleagues falsified his North Pole data. They come after him, all the way to Texas. He tells them he plans to stay at his Mom's home, "trying to teach evolution to creationists." His Mom Mary Cooper (played expertly as usual by Laurie Metcalf) tells him that "everyone is entitled to their opinion." "Evolution isn't an opinion," he informs her. "It's fact." Since she clearly disagrees, he tells Leonard, Raj, and Howard he forgives them and hightails it backs to Pasadena. Apparently satisfied with this outcome, Mary says cryptically, "Don't tell me prayer doesn't work." Whatever her philosophical conflicts with her son, she's a loving mother, understanding that he needs to live his life as a scientist with his colleagues, searching for whatever it is that drives him, even if she doesn't understand it.
With regard to "teaching evolution to creationists," Sheldon is referring to the ongoing debate over teaching the controversy in Texas public schools. The Texas State Board of Education voted earlier this year to eliminate the requirement to do that. Considering Sheldon's lack of tact and failure to understand the point of view of those who disagree with him, as neighbor Penny would say, good luck with that, sweetie.
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