The Big Bang Theory Episode That Jim Parsons Found The Most Interesting For Sheldon Cooper

Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons) is a consistently rigid character throughout all 12 seasons of "The Big Bang Theory." While he eventually embraces romance with Amy Farrah Fowler (Mayim Bialik) and shows gratitude for his friends — things that once seemed like alien concepts to the socially awkward physicist — he's still fairly stuck in his self-absorbed ways. Sheldon also takes life way too seriously, but there is one episode that turns him into a silly goose — and it's the one Parsons finds the most interesting of the bunch.

In season 5's "The Werewolf Transformation" episode, Penny (Kaley Cuoco) cuts Sheldon's hair after his long-term barber bites the dust. The cut she gives him is different from the one Sheldon is used to, but rather than rejecting the change — like he normally would — he embraces it and starts living in a carefree manner, becoming a bongo-bashing barrel of laughs. Parsons enjoyed exploring this side of Sheldon's character, revealing why during a "Big Bang Theory" season 5 behind-the-scenes featurette:

"On a personal level, I really enjoyed getting to the episode where Penny ended up cutting [Sheldon's] hair. It was just fun to do — somewhat silly, but somewhat deeper meaning, this exploration with Sheldon of letting go."

Parsons noted that Sheldon's other silly moments on "The Big Bang Theory" were a result of him getting accidentally drunk — possibly referring to the time in "The Pants Alternative" where Penny gets him tipsy on wine, culminating with him taking off his clothes in front of his academic peers during a big speech. "The Werewolf Transformation," meanwhile, sees Sheldon loosening up by choice, and it marks yet another crucial development in his friendship with Penny.

Sheldon Cooper's more carefree moments on "The Big Bang Theory" occur thanks to Penny, so she can be credited for bringing him out of his shell. She gives him the haircut that inspires him to play some bongos, and she's also the person who got him drunk ahead of his aforementioned public stripping mishap. During these moments, Penny shows that she genuinely cares for him as well, even though he has a history of giving her headaches.

"The Big Bang Theory's" creators' favorite moments also involve Sheldon and Penny, with Bill Prady and Chuck Lorre citing the time he hugged her in "The Bath Item Gift Hypothesis" as the scene they love the most. Back then, Sheldon was completely opposed to engaging in any type of physical contact with other humans, but Penny gifting him a napkin with Leonard Nimoy's DNA on it sees him show genuine warmth and affection toward her. One could even call it a moment of growth for the awkward physicist.

Overall, it seems that the "Big Bang Theory" cast and crew liked it when Sheldon got to show different sides of his personality. There is no denying that these are highlights of the show, but they are only effective because he's so awkward and stuck in his ways the rest of the time. Still, they go a long way in showing that there is more to Sheldon than meets the eye, and we have Penny to thank for that.