Don't be afraid to get some smart on you. For those who don't run with the geek pack, watching CBS' Monday-night comedy The Big Bang Theory (9:30 p.m. EST) can cause occasional head-scratching, due to the rampant sci-fi (or sci-fact) references. Since the show features four genius-level dudes (and one very hot, sweet young lady), any given episode features spouting off about everything from sperm donation to Lord of the Rings to comic books to String Theory, usually in highly technical terms.

But the show's hilarious, especially if you knew a similar science nerd (or snerd) in high school or college. Currently in its third season (and racking up some impressive ratings), Big Bang might seem difficult to jump right into, so we distilled the show's three seasons into this handy translator to help you get caught up and spot the recurring geek-centric themes, moments and jokes.

 

The day jobs

Main characters Leonard (Johnny Galecki), Sheldon (Jim Parsons), Raj (Kunal Nayyar) and Howard (Simon Helberg) all work as scientists at Pasadena's Caltech university. The show even employs scientific consultants to make sure all of the science on the show is correct (even the stuff on the boards in the backgrounds).

 

The big words in the episode titles

The title of every episode is a play on some kind of legitimate scientific term, but tweaked to reflect the ep, like last week's "The Cornhusker Vortex," which refers to the Nebraska Cornhuskers, the college football team that hottie Penny (Kaley Cuoco) roots for.

 

The background toys n' comics

You'll notice all kinds of geeky items like comic books, action figures, video games, toys and other paraphernalia in the guys' apartments. Leonard and Sheldon have the DC Comics character Firestorm (you may remember him from latter-day Super Friends episodes) and other action figures on the shelf behind their couch, while Sheldon has a rotating series of comic books framed in his bedroom, not to mention crates of comics and even trade paperbacks on the shelf near his bed. Raj has a red Robosapien in his room. He's a dancing robot toy that was really popular a few years back. You can buy your own here.

 

Opposites attract

You might be scratching your head at why a stunner like Penny is with a geek like Leonard, but it's been a long time coming. They met in the very first episode and, like any red-blooded male worth his salt, Leonard fell for her. He tried unsuccessfully to get with her throughout the first season until they finally kissed and went on a date. After a quick break-up in the second season, Penny realized she was into our nerdy hero right before he and the rest of the guys headed off to the North Pole for a Caltech experiment. They've been dating throughout the current season, much to the delight of every nerd on the planet.

 

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