Goodbye, Forever — The Best Theories on How ‘The Big Bang Theory’ Will End

It all started ended with a big bang. We are all disappointed that The Big Bang Theory is coming to a close. After 12 seasons, fans will have to say farewell to the beloved sitcom in May, and TBH, we are not ready for it!

We all remember that Season 11 ended with the wedding of Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons) and Amy Farrah Fowler (Mayim Bialik), and tons of special guests. Even Mark Hamill (Star Wars reference, anyone?), who played himself, was part of the season finale!

So, how will the writers of the CBS show top that, and satisfy the fans of the series? 

Many fans have been speculating on how the series will end. Will there be a possible time jump? Will the gang finally separate and say goodbye to the apartment they once all lived? Here are a few fan theories that we liked best: 

The Elevator: 

Fans of the show know that since Leonard (played by Johnny Galecki), Sheldon, and Penny (played by Kaley Cuoco) moved into the building, they have had to walk up numerous flights of stairs to get to their apartments. Why? Because the elevator in the building has been broken since the very first episode. 

It has become a staple of the show, which shows the characters walking up the stairs while having arguments and conversations. So, this reddit user suggested that the writers will end the show with the gang finally getting in the fixed elevator. 

“The Big Bang Theory cast goes in the elevator, doors close. Then elevator breaks; short circuit. The Big Bang Theory cast is stuck in the elevator; THE END," wrote user Linuxllc.

The elevator finally getting fixed would be an ending that comes full circle. 

Bye, Bye Apartment — Hello, New Life:

In this theory, one fan thinks the writers will end the show with each of the characters moving out of the apartment and on with their lives. SmokingPen reddit user theorizes that Sheldon and Amy will move to Switzerland to work for CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research), and continue their study with "super-asymmetry," which we found out came to the two as a breakthrough before their wedding.

We already know that Amy and Sheldon will continue to try and prove their asymmetry theory throughout the season; however, there will be some other doctors that come into play. And we all know Sheldon does NOT like to share credit. 

According to TV Line, Kal Penn and Sean Astin will both guest-star in upcoming episodes as physicists who “accidentally” confirm the couples’ theory. We are excited to see how that piece of information plays out on the small-screen.

This fan also theorized that Howard (played by Simon Helberg) and Bernadette (played by Melissa Rauch) move to Houston with their children to start working at NASA. Raj (played by Kunal Nayyar ), never one with the ladies, finally gets a long-time girlfriend.

Finally, he/she suggested that Leonard will get his doctorate, and will start teaching physics, while Penny will be making strides in her career (not her acting career), as a senior sales representative. The two are expecting and when she finally delivers her baby, the gang reunites to celebrate.

The Rule of Physics: What Goes Up, Must Come Down:

We have all enjoyed the relationship between Penny and Leonard throughout these 12 seasons. While the couple has been the dedicated Carrie & Big (Sex & The City), Ross & Rachel (Friends), of our television generation, some fans think this TV couple will not have the happy ending like their respective counterparts.

"Just putting this out there, who’s betting Leonard and Penny split up at end," wrote one tweeter. The TV couple have had an on-and-off-relationship throughout the series, before eventually getting together again and marrying. 

However, some fans feel this marriage will not last, and the writers will have the couple separate. 

"I think Leonard and Penny may get a divorce by the end of this season," tweeted another fan.

Though this will be a total TV upset, we hope the writers have mercy on our hearts and keep the two together in end. 

Rest easy, fans. The Big Bang Theory still has a few months until new episodes will be no more, and reruns become the present. During an appearance on The Ellen Degeneres Show in October 2018, Kunal (Raj) revealed that the cast will shoot the finale in April. 

"The day we shoot [the series finale] is April 30 — not the day it airs the day we shoot it — [and that’s] actually my birthday," he said. "Life comes full circle."

While fans will have a total of 22 episodes to soak in all of their Big Bang Theory needs, Episode 23 will mark the end of this over-a-decade-long journey. 

Break out your box of tissues — the final episode of the series will air in May. 

You can watch the final episodes of The Big Bang Theory on Thursdays at 8 p.m. on CBS.