Roommate Agreement, Part II: The Power of Friendship

Although we’ve long since dissected the original roommate agreement, having a copy sitting in front of me (and hey—you could, too,) opened my eyes to one key fact: a healthy number of addendums discuss how the two roommates can and cannot help each other. Also, how Leonard must assist Sheldon during certain key scenarios.

Its interesting to note that in times of need, year, and robot-invasion, the two scientists always have a plan of action: Sheldon’s plan of action. Let’s go over the headlining clauses and how Leonard has to do the brunt of the work.

1. Body-Snatchers Clause (S2 Ep6): “Leonard will help Sheldon destroy someone who they know has been replaced by an alien pod.” Oddly specific, but anyway;

2. Distress Clause (Section 9) (S3 Ep22):  “The apartment flag – a gold lion rampant on a field of azure – should never fly upside down unless the apartment is in distress.”

And I have yet to see such a heralding banner. For shame, Sheldon Cooper!

3. Time Travel Clause (Section 9)(S3 Ep22): If one of the roommates ever invents time travel, the first stop has to aim exactly five seconds after this clause was signed. Spoiler alert: they didn’t.

4. Robot Clause (Section 74.C) (S4 Ep2): “Leonard must assist Sheldon if he ever becomes a robot.” I suppose that beats android-destruction (I’m personally not a fan).

And yet, for all the crazy possibilities, Leonard finds himself reciprocated one way:

Leonard’s Day (S5 Ep15): “Once a year, Leonard and Sheldon will take one day to celebrate the contributions Leonard makes to Sheldon’s life, both real and in Leonard’s mind. Leonard does not get breakfast in bed, the right to sit in Sheldon’s spot, or the right to alter the thermostat.  The only thing that Leonard shall receive is a card.”

Between shuttling Sheldon to-and-from work, allotted outdoor-hours every other Sunday, standing meal-nights, and the advantage of being able to pull the plug in emergency situations (yeesh), the show proves over and over Leonard surpasses all others in patience to even cosign such an astounding agreement. Until next Thursday!