Penny gets excited when she learns that she's been cast in an upcoming episode of NCIS and plans a big viewing part for the gang to watch her episode. However, when the episode airs, she learns that her scene was cut and gets very depressed. Leonard tries to cheer her up, but she counters that she's been trying to work as an actress for ten years and has nothing to show for it. When Leonard reminds her that she has him and their relationship, she proposes to him on the spot, acknowledging that he's the one good thing in her life she doesn't want to lose. Leonard knows the proposal is coming out of desperation and hesitates to say yes, so Penny rescinds her offer and leaves things very cold between them. Meanwhile, Koothrappali and Stuart try to strike up conversations with strangers at the local mall, and Sheldon endeavors to become a comedic genius by studying all forms of comedy for a few days.
