Big Bang Theory 2012 Finale

If you're a space buff and haven't been watching the Big Bang Theory, I only have one thing to ask you.. "What the hell is wrong with you?!" The final episode for the 2012 season included Howard Wolowitz being launched to the International Space Station on a Soyuz capsule along with Pasha Lychnikoff and Mike Massimino. I was hoping Pasha was a real-life cosmonaut (he is an actor), I had to settle for the real-life NASA astronaut Make Massimino (who is rapidly becoming an actor). Both were brilliant and conveyed the spirit of flying up on a Soyuz capsule quite well. One thing I didn't see was the instrument poking stick that seems to be part of every Soyuz flight. That and the dangly bit/fuzzy dice hanging off of the instrument panel. Believe it or not the stick and the dangly bit are functional. The stick is used to manipulate panel switches during the early stages of the flight while the cosmonauts are anchored into their acceleration couch. The dangly bit lets the cosmonauts know when the engine burn is complete. To be honest, I'm not sure the dangly bit is more for the cosmonauts or for the TV audience.