The Big Bang Theory Season 12, Episode 17, Recap: Are Sheldon and Amy Ready to Have Kids?

The Big Bang Theory has only seven episodes to go before the show wraps up its 12-year run. While there are a few things I don't expect to be resolved—Penny's maiden name, or the elevator being fixed—there are some storylines that have a good chance of happening before we say goodbye: Namely, Amy and Sheldon becoming parents. No, Shamy fans, nothing has been confirmed…yet. But it's been established on Young Sheldon that they have kids eventually. (In the season-one finale, adult Sheldon says, via narration, that he often drew up relationship contracts for his roommates, his wife, and "even with my own children.")

And on tonight's episode of Big Bang—titled "The Conference Valuation"—we see the first big step toward that actually happening. Howard is in charge of the kids, Michael and Halley, while Bernadette is out of town, so Amy uses the opportunity to get Sheldon more comfortable around children. She shows him a book on experiments to do with kids (no way to write that without it sounding weird, right?), which leads to a weekend of fun Sheldon didn't know was possible before.

The episode seemed like it was setting up a reveal at the end—I thought once Sheldon came around to enjoying the little "scampers," Amy would announce she's pregnant. For example, take this exchange while Amy and Sheldon are in bed:

Sheldon: Spending time with Michael and Halley today made me think about our future children….

Amy: [Playing dumb.] What an unforeseen development. What are you thinking?

Sheldon: Well, either five sets of triplets or three sets of quintuplets. [Pauses.] You know what, it doesn’t matter, as long as they’re healthy. And divisible by three.

Amy: That’s a lot of babies, Sheldon.

Sheldon: Well, only for humans. For frogs it’s just a drop in the bucket.

Amy: Sorry, I’m not a frog.

Sheldon: Aww, don’t feel bad, Amy, you’re good enough for me.

Instead of an announcement, though, the episode faded to black and the credits rolled. What gives? "An announcement did not happen," executive producer and showrunner Steve Holland tells Glamour with a laugh. "But we know they do eventually have kids. I can't answer this exactly, but I will say that having that revealed on Young Sheldon was a big moment for our series. I think it's part of our journey to end Sheldon in a spot where that future is possible."

Holland wasn't able to say anything more than that, though he was a bit more open about his plans for Penny—especially after she turned down what appeared to be a major offer from a rival pharmaceutical company. "I don't want to tease too much, other than to say this show has always been a positive show about people who love each other," Holland says. "We want to honor that in the finale. We don't want to give fans every happy moment they want, but we love these characters and want the best for them."

For the time being, Holland says he loves to find any reason to group Kaley Cuoco, Mayim Bialik, or Melissa Rauch in a scene together. "Whether it was the Dungeons and Dragons episode, or tonight with Melissa and Kaley at the conference, it's great. They are so funny together; anytime we can pair them in a scene, we do." Those scenes were also fulfilling for another reason, as it shows Penny thriving in a career she didn't envision for herself. "For her to find this job that she's actually good at and enjoys is important for us," Holland says. "I like watching her grow in a career that she's starting to like."

Speaking of jobs, tonight's episode was special for the cast and crew of Big Bang. The Warner Bros. stage they film on (Stage 25, to be exact) was officially renamed "The Big Bang Theory Stage." While that seems like a rather obvious gesture for a series ending after 12 years, it's actually rare. Only four other stages have been officially renamed on the Warner Bros. lot: Friends, ER, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and Two and a Half Men. "I get chills thinking about it," Holland says. "I still can’t believe I work here."

Jessica Radloff is the Glamour West Coast editor. Follow her on Instagram here and Twitter here.