On The Big Bang Theory, Howard and Bernadette are the first to walk down the aisle, but this twosome almost didn't make it after a season 3 breakup.
Howard and Bernadette are the first couple on The Big Bang Theory to tie the knot and settle into domestic bliss, but the twosome hit a big snag when they break up during season 3. Before meeting Bernadette, Howard is the least likely of the guys to settle down aside from Sheldon. Howard sports a bizarre fashion sense, has a diminutive stature, and lives with his mother. Howard's habit of objectifying women and making sexually inappropriate comments send any potential partner scurrying in the opposite direction until he meets Bernadette, but the couple almost doesn't make it down the aisle.
After Leonard and Penny begin dating, Howard reminds Leonard of an oath they made years earlier: whoever gets a hot girlfriend first has to get her to fix the other up with one of her friends. Penny sets Howard up with Bernadette, and the two find they have one thing in common: overbearing mothers. After three dates, the couple becomes exclusive in episode 9, "The Vengeance Formulation." Howard revels in the fact that he's dating an actual woman, and he and Bernadette appear to be on solid ground even going on a double date with Penny and Leonard during "The Einstein Approximation."
When a famous female scientist visits Caltech in "The Plimpton Stimulation," she shows more interest in hooking up with Leonard and Raj than academics. Howard wants in on the action, causing Raj to point out Howard already has a girlfriend. Howard reveals he and Bernadette broke up weeks earlier. This comes as a shock to Raj and undoubtedly viewers who have no clue what led to their split.
It's a bit surprising the show glosses over their uncoupling, and Howard never acts like it's a big deal. It's not until season 4's "The Hot Troll Deviation" that the reason for their breakup is revealed. After Howard hides under a table to avoid an awkward encounter with Bernadette at The Cheesecake Factory, he finds himself fantasizing about his ex and decides he wants to win her back.
When Howard goes to Leonard for advice, Leonard confronts his friend about what happened between him and Bernadette. Howard will only admit that he did something stupid that makes it hard to face her. Howard realizes his best possible recourse is to turn to Penny who refuses to help him unless he finally comes clean about why he's too embarrassed to approach Bernadette.
The mystery is unraveled when Howard confesses he used "World of Warcraft" to have cyber-sex with a troll named Glacinda. Bernadette walked in on him doing the "cyber nasty." Howard plays the pathetic nerd card to get Penny to intervene, and when Howard reunites with his ex, another surprising detail of their relationship comes to light: the entire time they were dating, they never had sex because Howard never made a move. Bernadette agrees to give Howard another chance, and he never commits virtual infidelity again throughout the remainder of The Big Bang Theory's run.
