After Leonard, Sheldon and Wolowitz celebrate the completion of the top secret air force project, they are met with an unpleasant surprise. Also, Amy is offered a summer position as a visiting researcher.

Raj and Howard's feud continues as the gang plan Halley's first birthday party. Sheldon's surprise for Amy's birthday goes awry when they get food poisoning. Also, Leonard gets a Christmas letter from his brother that causes him to spiral out about his own lack of accomplishments.

When Amy doesn’t have time to work on super-asymmetry, Sheldon goes to great lengths to ensure she’s available to work with him even it if means accidentally sabotaging her career in the process. Raj doesn’t want Howard to join him in hosting a show at the planetarium.