SPOILER ALERT: This story contains spoilers from “Stuart Fails to Save the Universe” Season 1 Episode 2, now streaming on HBO Max.
The second episode of “Stuart Fails to Save the Universe” is packed with cameos and guest stars, but the most exciting surprise for “The Big Bang Theory” enthusiasts is the return of Kaley Cuoco as Penny, albeit in a drastically different role.
Entitled “Spoiler: Zack’s In This One,” the episode features Stuart (Kevin Sussman), Kripke (John Ross Bowie), and Bert (Brian Posehn) arriving in a less chaotic Pasadena than the one they left. In this universe, Kripke is no longer a tyrant. He humorously rationalizes killing Raj in their previous world, suggesting that either the world ceased to exist or it’s one of infinite worlds, making Raj’s death a mere “rounding error.”
However, in this seemingly idyllic universe, not all is as perfect as it appears. The inhabitants have devices implanted in their necks that deliver electric shocks whenever they argue or become angry—a challenge for the argumentative Stuart and Kripke.
Denise (Lauren Lapkus) remains behind, prompting Stuart to search for her, ultimately finding her with her new partner, Gary (Tommy Walker). Meanwhile, Kripke and Bert visit Caltech in pursuit of answers from Sheldon and Leonard, only to encounter an unhelpful receptionist portrayed by Riki Lindhome, known for her role as Dr. Ramona Nowitzki on “The Big Bang Theory.”
The receptionist’s frustration lands Kripke and Bert in police custody, alongside Stuart. They are taken to a reprogramming facility where they watch a video led by Christine Baranski, appearing as herself. Baranski is well-known for portraying Leonard’s mother, Dr. Beverly Hofstadter, on “The Big Bang Theory.”
After thirty months of rehabilitation, the trio is released only to be immediately captured by a resistance group. This group convenes in a warehouse, led by Penny (Kaley Cuoco), who is now a fierce soldier and leader—a stark contrast to the Penny familiar to “The Big Bang Theory” fans. Denise and Penny’s former boyfriend Zack (Brian Thomas Smith) are also present.
Co-creator and executive producer Chuck Lorre explains the decision to reintroduce original cast members in new roles, saying, “A big part of it was offering them a challenge to do something entirely different. As you’ve seen in Episode 2, Kaley’s not playing the server in the Cheesecake Factory. It’s still Penny, and now she’s a badass guerrilla leader. That was part of the design from the very beginning. In a multiverse environment, these characters could recur as themselves, but with an entirely different backstory.”
In “The Big Bang Theory,” which aired from 2007 to 2019, Penny lived next to Leonard (Johnny Galecki) and Sheldon (Jim Parsons). Over time, she and Leonard became a couple and later married.
At the conclusion of Episode 2 of “Stuart Fails,” Penny’s hideout is uncovered by emotion-controlling bots. Just in time, Stuart, Denise, Kripke, and Bert activate a quantum interference device, originally built by Leonard, Sheldon, and Howard, to transport them to another universe. The next episode promises a touch of magic.
