'Big Bang Theory' season 9 news, spoilers: Showrunner dishes on Bernadette's big reveal

Bernadette (Melissa Rauch) dropped a major bombshell in last week's episode of "The Big Bang Theory."

In the episode titled "The Valentino Submergence," Bernadette and Howard (Simon Helberg) decided to spend Valentine's Day in their new hot tub, but instead they found a rabbit desperately fighting for its life in it. The two rescued the bunny and named it Valentino. In her final scene in the episode, Melissa, who was cradling the wrapped-up rabbit while Howard had a bite treated at the hospital, let her new pet in on a little secret: she and Howard are having a baby.

"Big Bang Theory" showrunner Steve Molaro talked to The Hollywood Reporter recently about the episode. When asked why he thought that now is the right time for a character to have a baby, Molaro said, "Part of what makes the time right is that it maybe doesn't feel completely right — and that's what we 're attracted to." 

Molaro likened the situation to when "Big Bang Theory" aired the episode in which Amy (Mayim Bialik) and Sheldon (Jim Parsons) consummated their relationship. According to Molaro, they were frequently asked "Why now?" afterwards. But the fact that people were surprised enough by the episode to ask that question, he said, is actually a good reason for why "now" is a good time.

"Having a baby in real life and on a show, it seems like there's never going to be a really clear and appropriate time," he said. "If it seemed like the obvious time, it wouldn't be exciting for us to do it."

The "Big Bang Theory" boss also noted that Bernadette and Howard's baby won't be due until midway through the 10th season, and they are only currently halfway through the ninth. So "why not now?" he asked.

Molaro also talked about how Bernadette will reveal the news to Howard in next Thursday's episode, saying, "...you get to see her tell him right at the beginning of the episode and it turned out beautifully. He'll experience many emotions!"

"The Big Bang Theory" airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. on CBS.