Bernadette Rostenkowski

 The Big Bang Theory history

Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz is a microbiologist who supported herself through grad school by working at The Cheesecake Factory, where she met Penny and was set up with Howard Wolowitz.

Bernadette’s small stature and high voice belied a tougher personality. She could be competitive, intimidating and vengeful, with friends and co-workers alike sometimes finding her surprisingly scary. When angry, she sounded uncannily like Howard’s mother, Debbie Wolowitz.

Bernadette and Howard bonded over their overbearing mothers and began dating after being introduced by Penny. After an on-and-off start to their relationship, the two got engaged and married on the roof of Sheldon and Leonard’s apartment building before Howard left for space. Bernadette was initially unsure about having children and worried about the effect motherhood would have on her career, but she and Howard eventually became parents to two children.

Bernadette became close friends with Penny and Amy as she became part of the wider group. She also had a long-running connection to Stuart, who had been living with Debbie Wolowitz before her death and stayed in the house after Howard and Bernadette moved in. Although they tried to get him to leave, Stuart became a fixture in the Wolowitz household and helped care for their children.

 Stuart Fails to Save the Universe history

When we meet Bernadette in 103 “Spoiler: Bert is Magic”, Stuart and Kripke are searching for a wizard’s help in a reality where magic is real. After a demonic assistant lists Bernadette as a master sorceress, they find her at home in her pajamas, watching daytime TV and eating ice cream. Stuart and Kripke are surprised Bernadette recognizes them in this universe, although it is not clear how. She is known as Bernadette Rostenkowski rather than Rostenkowski-Wolowitz, suggesting she is not married to Howard or a mother in this reality.

Bernadette apologizes for the mess in her otherwise ordinary suburban home, explaining that she “gave up giving a shit”. After Stuart and Kripke ask for help with the vari-state quantum interference device, she admits she has been stripped of her magic by the Wizards Guild of America for using her powers during a strike. Bernadette claims she only broke the rules to resurrect her neighbor’s son’s dog, Chocolate Chip, after the dog was hit by multiple cars.

Bernadette explains that a reversal spell could restore her powers, but it requires the blood of an innocent. Kripke quickly rules himself out, while Bernadette decides Stuart’s limited dating history makes him a suitable candidate. After Stuart gives Bernadette his blood, Wil Wheaton, an enforcer for the Wizards Guild of America, warns that Bernadette is not who they think she is. Bert fights Wil off before he can punish Stuart for aiding a demon.

Back at home, Bernadette mixes Stuart’s blood into a potion she’s cooked up in a cauldron. After drinking it, she begins to transform: her eyes turn red, her skin changes color, horns emerge from her head, and she grows in size.

Now five stories high, a green, horned Bernadette rampages through Pasadena on her way to the comic book store, kicking cars, stomping on people and pulling residents from apartment buildings. Even then, she compliments a woman’s shoes before dropping her to her death. She then rips the roof off the comic book store and demands the vari-state quantum interference device so she can rule every world. Stuart and Bert manage to activate the machine before Bernadette reaches it, sending Stuart and the gang to another reality. Left behind, Bernadette complains, “Oh, shit!”

This page has been updated up to episode 103 Spoiler: Bert is Magic