Relationships dominate Season 8 of The Big Bang Theory, but the gang continues to find difficulties around every corner. Penny and Leonard both blossom and flounder in the wake of their engagement, while Sheldon and Amy seem to make progress, though Amy is still unhappy about their slow pace. Raj, too, has a steady girlfriend in Emily, but she has a few quirks he finds unappealing. Howard and Bernadette face an awkward situation when Stuart moves in with Howard's mother and Howard becomes especially frustrated after they develop a mother/son bond. But, the gang bands together to help Howard cope with a big personal crisis.