If there was one character on The Big Bang Theory who was just as important as the main cast, it has to be Stuart. Guest characters like Leslie Winkle and Barry Kripke were fun additions but Stuart and his comic book store were instrumental in every season. As the owner of the comic book store that the gang frequented, Stuart got to know Sheldon, Leonard, Howard, and Raj exceptionally well.

As time went on, he was invited to a few social gatherings but not as much as Stuart would have liked. Lonely and broke, Stuart was desperate for friends and a life outside of the store. While Leonard, Howard, and Raj helped Stuart in his time of need a few times, they weren’t always exactly nice to him. Over time, Stuart began standing up for himself and viewers enjoyed that side of him. Looking back at Big Bang Theory’s 12-season run, let’s take a look at all the times the gang was mean to our favorite store owner, Stuart Bloom.

THEY DIDN’T INCLUDE HIM IN THEIR SCAVENGER HUNT

By the seventh season, our favorite group of friends all had their significant others (minus Raj) and were getting along nicely. As a way to spice up their mundane weeks, Raj decides to throw a surprise scavenger hunt.

After nailing the first clue, the first destination was the comic book store, but when the gang arrived at the store, Stuart felt hurt that they used him for his store and didn’t even invite him to join the hunt. What’s worse is they didn’t even buy anything before they left!

SHELDON DEMANDED COMICS FROM STUART AFTER HIS COMIC BOOK STORE BURNED TO THE GROUND

In the last episode of season seven, we sadly find out that Stuart’s comic book store burned to a crisp. Stuart wasn’t the richest of men and would sometimes sleep in his store. However, his hotplate caught fire and the store burnt to the ground.

To make things harder for poor Stuart, the insurance company believed that Stuart did it on purpose for the money. As if life couldn’t get any worse for him, Sheldon shows up with his own problems and practically blames Stuart for making his problems even worse by not being open (you know, due to the fire…).

LEONARD GAVE HIM FAULTY ADVICE FOR HIS DATE WITH PENNY

When we first meet Stuart at the comic book store, it’s when Penny tags along with Sheldon and Leonard for the first time. She meets Stuart and he oddly has a lot of confidence, quick wit, and some sly moves to make on such a beautiful woman. Funny enough, Penny was enamored with Stuart and agreed to go on a date with him!

In an effort to not mess anything up with such a beautiful woman, Stuart asks Leonard for some advice since the two used to date briefly. At first, Leonard ignores Stuart’s cry for help but eventually gives him bad advice so that their relationship would fail. Poor Stuart.

SHELDON INVITED HIM FOR A ‘PRACTICE’ BRUNCH BEFORE THE REAL THING WITH REAL FRIENDS

When Sheldon and Amy finally move into Penny’s old apartment together, they decide to throw a brunch for some acquaintances. This brunch would be known as a practice brunch to get out all the kinks before they invite their “real” friends over for brunch.

Sheldon (who is unaware of how incredibly rude this is) makes that fact known at the brunch table and Stuart is hurt. As a longtime friend, Stuart doesn’t understand how he’s not a treasured member of the group by now and doesn’t want to be fake friends with the group anymore. Sheldon apologizes to Stuart and the two have a fresh start, thankfully.

SHELDON ASKED AMY TO BE HIS GIRLFRIEND WHILE SHE WAS ON A DATE WITH STUART

When Sheldon and Amy were in that stage of ‘are they dating or aren’t they?’, Stuart asked Amy out on a date and she accepted. At the time, Sheldon didn’t seem to care if he had a girlfriend or not but the mere thought of Stuart making a move on his woman upset him greatly.

Stuart takes Amy to the movies and seems to be having a nice time and then Sheldon shows up. He sits next to Amy and officially asks her to be his girlfriend and she accepts… with Stuart sitting next to her.

THE GANG UNINVITES STUART FROM GOING TO VEGAS WITH THEM

In “The Empathy Optimization,” we learn that Sheldon was recently sick and took advantage (as he usually does) of his best friends. With everyone exhausted from waiting on Sheldon through his illness, the gang decides to take a party bus to Las Vegas. Stuart was invited to tag along but as soon as Sheldon felt left out, he tried hard to be re-invited.

The group of friends kicked him off the bus and instead of leaving alone, he made Stuart come with him. I guess if Sheldon can’t have fun, Stuart can’t either? To make matters worse, Leonard eventually lets Sheldon come back on the bus and Sheldon ditched Stuart for the chance!

HOWARD ATTACKS STUART FOR HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS MOTHER

When Stuart’s comic book store burns down, he’s in need of an income, a job, and a place to live. At the same time as Stuart’s misfortune, Howard’s mom injures herself. He and Bernadette put two and two together and hired Stuart to take care of his mother. This would allow him a place to live and work.

Stuart was incredibly grateful for the opportunity and got along with Howard’s mom a little too well… Howard feared the two were embarking on an inappropriate relationship which infuriated Howard and caused a rift between the pair. Can’t people let Stuart be happy?

HOWARD ALSO CHOKED STUART FOR DATING HIS COUSIN

In the eighth season, the gang decides to do a prom do-over since no one had a great prom experience. Now that everyone was in fulfilling relationships, having their own prom seemed like a great idea. Stuart was invited to the prom but Howard was freaking out that Stuart was going to bring his mother as his date since the two spent so much time together.

Thankfully, Stuart didn’t bring Howard’s mom as his date but he did bring Howard’s cousin, which pissed him off even more. Stuart eventually left the prom early after he got a call from Mrs. Wolowitz, proving there was definitely something going on between the two of them.

HE WAS THE LAST TO KNOW ABOUT BERNADETTE’S PREGNANCY

Howard was never given the respect or decency of becoming a full-fledged member of this friend circle. After helping Howard and Bernadette with his mom for so long, you would think that the couple would have some kind of respect for Stuart.

But when the pair found out they were pregnant, they told everyone but Stuart. He found out on a whim and felt sad that someone like Barry Kripke knew before him.

THE GANG TOLD STUART TO DRESS UP AS A GAME OF THRONES CHARACTER TO EMBARRASS HIM

Leonard and Sheldon decided to have a Game of Thrones viewing party in “The Viewing Party Combustion.” To get another dig at Stuart, Howard invited him but told him to dress up as a character. When Stuart arrived, he was the only one dressed up and was instantly upset for looking like a fool.

When more jokes are thrown his way, Stuart claims the gang lost their “bathroom privileges” the next time they were at the store, but we all know his humorous response was hidden with sadness.