When Sheldon Was Outsmarted On ‘The Big Bang Theory’

Sheldon's Smarts Couldn't Always Save Him

Sheldon is an egoistic genius with a complete disregard for others. Most of the time, his wacky intelligence is enough to win the debates and heated arguments he gets into. However, there are moments when even the ‘Megamind’ Sheldon can’t win against his opponents. Here are 5 of the best moments from 'The Big Bang Theory.'

When Amy Ruined Indiana Jones

Sheldon is infuriated that Amy, his girlfriend, points out a glaring plot hole in his favorite movie, Raiders of the Lost Ark. Indiana Jones is completely irrelevant to the outcome of the movie. Whether he's there or not, the Nazis find the ark, open it, and die. He tries desperately to find a flaw in her reasoning and fails. She didn't just beat him in an argument; she used her analytical mind to ruin one of his most cherished childhood treasures, an intellectual checkmate he never saw coming.

When Priya Dismantled the Roommate Agreement

Sheldon's greatest weapon against his friends (especially Leonard) is the Roommate Agreement, a tyrannical, comically-detailed contract he wrote himself. But when Leonard starts dating Priya, who is a successful lawyer, Sheldon is utterly destroyed. Priya sits down at dinner and, for fun, proceeds to legally dismantle the entire document. She invokes landlord-tenant law, questions the "coitus clause," and tears his masterpiece to shreds, leaving him utterly defeated and powerless in his own home.

When Penny Gave Him a Napkin

Sheldon's logic crumbles in the face of complex social obligations, and his greatest weakness is gift-giving. enny gives him her gift: a napkin, used and signed by Leonard Nimoy, with the message, "To Sheldon, Live Long and Prosper." Sheldon is so overwhelmed by this priceless, perfect gift that his "reciprocation algorithm" is shattered. He gives her all the baskets... and, in a moment of total system failure, hugs her. Penny didn't just outsmart him; she checkmated his entire personality.

When Kripke Proved His Math Was Wrong

The one thing Sheldon prides on, is the fact that he is a genius in science. Sheldon is forced to work with his nemesis, Barry Kripke, on a project. Sheldon is humiliated when Kripke's calculations prove that Sheldon's own research is flawed. Sheldon later tries to prank Kripke, who reverses the prank, filling Sheldon's office with foam. Kripke not only proved he was the superior mind on the project but also proved he was the superior prankster.

When the Gang Faked the Cricket

When Sheldon and Howard get into a heated argument about the species of cricket that is making noise in their apartment, Sheldon being Sheldon can't even sleep until he proves himself right. The twist? The cricket had long since escaped. Howard and Raj, tired of the argument, were simply playing cricket sounds on their phones to drive Sheldon insane.