Having watched The Big Bang Theory seasons over for the last decade, we met Beverly, Leonard's mom. In many ways, we knew what she was like in season 2 when she interacts with her son for the first time in the series. Beverly was a parent who was too objective and often disregarded the emotional capacitance and effects of her actions in the name of being true and somewhat honest.
As the second to the last episode airs, we see Beverly. However, The Big Bang Theory season 12 episode 22 left us with an air that something different is going to happen because Sheldon keeps egging Leonard to fetch his mom from the airport. Even with the knowledge that Leonard hates his mom, he and Penny tell him that his mom who gave birth to him deserves an airport ride to and from her hotel.
Fast-forward into the car, Leonard asks Beverly if she's staying in a hotel. The latter answers she's staying in Leonard and Penny's property. Leonard was stunned about what his mother is planning. True enough, the entire episode arc revolves around his mother seeing Leonard's work and talking to Penny, who felt strange with the new gesture of Beverly.
A few minutes after Raj and Anu discussed leaving for London for good, Beverly and Leonard come to a semi-confrontation. The mother asks her son if her parenting strategy has helped contribute to Leonard being a successful man. Penny said she might have influenced Leonard to push himself and support him throughout his career.
At this point, Beverly asked Leonard and Penny to observe the mother-son relationship the next day. Then, she dropped a bomb: she said she was writing research for her new book about parenting strategies and children's development.
It was a painful moment for everyone who watched the episode because Leonard, who felt his mother had finally transcended into something better, just went to visit him because of her work. He thought she was enjoying his company with her. That's when all hell broke loose, and the scene ends.
After discussing things with Sheldon and Amy, Leonard realizes that things will never change: he will always want his mother's approval, but his mother won't change. True enough, Penny tells Beverly to apologize to Leonard but refuses.
The two face off in the final scene with Leonard storming the gates of Casa Hofstadter, the true confrontation. However, instead of bickering, Leonard said that he was hurt, but he said if he wanted his mother to accept him, then he must accept his mother as herself. With this argument, he tells his mother he has forgiven her, to which Beverly replied she didn't ask for.
Leonard said it was "too bad" she didn't ask for it, but he said it was great for him because he is now at peace with the fact his mother won't change. Surprisingly, Beverly says his forgiveness of her means a lot to her. Quietly, they hug each other, and this is how amazing this episode was.
The Big Bang Theory airs its two-part final episode next Thursday.
