The quirky relationship between the geeky Raj Koothrapalli and Howard Wolowitz was the second most important friendship in the hit sitcom The Big Bang Theory (after Sheldon and Leonard). Although the characters start out as profoundly immature, with time, Howard gradually becomes a caring and loving father, while Raj becomes more confident and considerate.
They may have had an almost unhealthy, codependent relationship, but most fans would say their friendship stands the course of time, especially once Bernadette enters the picture and they become an integral part of each other's family. Like all friends, Howard and Raj bicker all the time. But, at the end of the day, they would always be there for each other, supporting their dreams and celebrating their successes.
12 Season 1: Their Introduction
The first season introduces Howard and Raj as one of Leonard and Sheldon's closest friends, who spend most of the time watching movies or playing video games with. It is during this season that fans discover how Raj and Howard are a couple of socially awkward young men, who are both talented and respected scientists (or in Howard's case, a respected engineer).
While Howard appears to take the lead most of the time, it is Raj who is more liked by fans due to Howard's off-putting personality and inappropriate behavior that makes a lot of people feel uncomfortable.
11 Season 2: Exploring Their Characters
Raj finds out that his selective mutism improves when he downs a drink or two. Unfortunately, it also makes him say inappropriate things to everyone and several women.
Howard is already disgustingly creepy when it comes to women so the two form quite the duo, especially since they also appear deeply co-dependent.
10 Season 3: Attachment & Abandonment
The writers start scratching beyond the surface of Howard and Raj’s relationship. Their genuine attachment for each other comes through when Howard shows his concern at the possibility that Raj might lose his work permit.
However, the viewers do see a few cracks appear in their friendship when Raj starts getting annoyed at Howard continuously abandoning him or their plans at the last minute so he can pursue other women. While the pair do make up, there is still some lingering tension between them.
9 Season 4: Careers, Relationships & Fantasies
Both Howard and Raj focus on their careers a bit more, but they also start dabbling with more serious relationships. Howard gets into an on-again-off-again relationship with Bernadette from the Cheesecake Factory, which puts a slight strain on Raj and Howard's friendship.
Raj, unfortunately, doesn’t have anyone he could turn to and develops feelings for Bernadette about whom he starts daydreaming. His love for Howard doesn’t stop him from hoping he might get a chance with Bernadette if Howard wasn’t around. However, when the time comes, it is Raj's brilliant brainwave that allows the couple to get married on a rooftop so that their wedding could be captured by a satellite from space.
8 Season 5: Friendship & Feuds
The friendship goes through ups and downs as Howard finds out that Bernie doesn't want kids and also that Raj had been fantasizing about her. Tension also increases when Raj messes up at Howard's bachelor party and his viral video causes Bernie to find out some rather questionable stuff about Howard's past.
Yet, for all their little feuds, the two would still spend an inordinate amount of time together, whether it be them trying to figure out where Sheldon would mysteriously disappear to at work every day or helping with the International Space Station expedition.
7 Season 6: Getting On With Life
Howard has a vital breakthrough in life as he gets married and then goes off to the International Space Station. He finds it hard to keep both his wife and mother happy at the same time, especially when Bernie wants him to move out of his mother's place.
Raj, in the meantime, has found a sort of replacement for Howard as he hangs out with the goofy Stuart Bloom while Howard is away. He also feels exasperated when Howard can't stop bragging about his journey to the ISS.
6 Season 7: Blundering On
Howard's mom falls sick and has to be taken care of 24/7. But that doesn't stop his friendship with Raj from going from strength to strength. Over the course of the season, the viewers see the bond between the two grow stronger as Howard confides in Raj in some of his insecurities and health concerns (like the time he starts feeling the side effects of his mother's ointment).
Raj also starts dating the dermatologist called Emily, who ends up being one of his more long-term relationships. He seeks Howard's help to prepare for a gory horror movie that he is due to be watching with Emily, and the two discuss his relationship with Emily.
5 Season 8: Working Together, Or Not
Raj and Howard, along with Leonard, work together on the cleanroom project with disastrous consequences. Howard tries to be there for Raj, even accompanying him to a Hindu temple as he spends his day restlessly worrying about a space probe he had helped design that would send information about Pluto.
Unfortunately, this is also the time when Howard and Sheldon do their best to take over and dominate Raj in a project he is working on, without having much respect for his wishes. As a result, viewers see some distance form between the two.
4 Season 9: Bonding Over The Band
In season 9, the viewers see Raj and Howard form a band, which they name 'Footprints On The Moon.' Their muse was inspired by the sci-fi genre and they would only play in bar mitzvahs (although they were originally formed to play in the comic book store).
The duo also spends time panicking over the possibility that the American government is spying on them for an innovative new project they had worked on together. It's nice to see how their friendship has still continued on years later (at this point).
3 Season 10: Being There
Raj proves he is a gem of a friend when he spends a lot of time being there for Howard and Bernadette as the two struggle with their pregnancy, and then as new parents to baby Halley.
However, Howard and Bernie show their appreciation by naming Raj the godfather to their child. Raj is now very close to Bernadette too, who is happy to have him around as he offers her a lot of helpful advice.
2 Season 11: Ups & Downs
This season sees one of the biggest developments in the Raj-Howard storyline as Raj finally realizes that Howard's constant ridiculing of him has eroded his confidence over the years. He now tries to start afresh, getting a rather glamorous new job at the planetarium. Howard does appear a tad taken aback at first but then goes back to being 'Howard.' The two then make up during Halley's first birthday party where they each let out their hurt sentiments that have been building up over the years.
Overall, Raj is now much more than just a friend to Howard and Bernadette as he once again looks out for the couple, who are pregnant with their second child. However, even after all his support, Howard doesn't seem to care much as he does his best not to have Raj live with him and Bernie when he needs a place to live in. For all his immaturity, Raj comes through as the better friend here.
1 Season 12: The Culmination
In the series finale, the viewers see a culmination of their relationship. Raj thinks he has finally found his significant other but Howard finds the idea of the romantic Raj settling down with someone he has nothing in common with to be far from ideal.
Raj decides he has little left for him in the States as Howard and Bernadette have a full family, often leaving him lonely. He is at the airport, ready to head to London to propose to Anu when Howie rushes to stop him from going. Both friends are overwhelmed and Raj stays back to be with his friend and his family. The culmination ties together both the themes of friendship and Raj continuing to look for his life partner.
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