Kaley Cuoco returned to the Big Bang Theory multiverse for the first time in seven years.
The actress makes a surprise appearance in the episode 2 of Stuart Fails to Save the Universe — a new TBBT spinoff revolving around comic book store owner Stuart Bloom, who accidentally triggers a multiverse Armageddon.
Episode 2, titled “Spoiler: Zack’s in This One,” follows Stuart Bloom, Bert and Barry Kripke as they escape the post-apocalyptic Pasadena introduced in the premiere. Their relief is short-lived after they arrive in what appears to be a peaceful reality, only to discover they’re wearing devices that shock them whenever they argue or show aggression. After completing a 30-month reeducation program, they’re kidnapped and taken to an abandoned warehouse.
That’s where they come face-to-face with Penny and her ex-boyfriend Zack, played once again by Brian Thomas Smith.
However, this isn’t the girl-next-door and her air-headed boyfriend fans remember. Rather than the aspiring actress-turned-pharmaceutical sales rep from the original sitcom, this Penny has brunette hair and leads a resistance movement fighting against an AI-controlled world, with Zack as her lieutenant.
To break the trio out of their relentless positivity, Penny literally slaps each of them across the face to “deprogram” them.
The creative team said reinventing beloved characters across alternate realities has been one of the most enjoyable parts of the spinoff.
“The fun of the series is the unlikely character assuming a new role,” Chuck Lorre told TVLine.
Bill Prady added, “Penny was always the most capable member of the original group. If you had had to actually get something done, it’s probably better off if Penny was in charge of it. And Zack comes along as her lieutenant. It just made us laugh.”
Last week’s premiere episode also brought back Kunal Nayyar as an alternate-universe Raj Koothrappali, continuing the show’s multiverse twist.
