As the Big Bang Theory comes to a close this season, some of us fans who have been watching since day one have a few burning questions we need to know. There are many fans out there who, despite their love for the show, are relieved to see it being put to rest and not becoming one of the too-drawn-out sitcoms that get pushed past their prime.

Now that the end is very near, after 12 years of dedication, we deserve closure when this long-running series finally leaves the production stage. Here are some of the questions we have that we’re worried we’ll never get the answers to. It would be perfect if we could have a bittersweet, final ending that rounds up all of these questions and leaves us satisfied. The chances of that aren’t great if we’re going by the pattern other sitcoms have created. But we can be hopeful.

Spoiler alert: If you haven’t been watching season 12 so far, there are some spoilers here. Proceed with caution.

10 10. WILL SHELDON FINALLY GET HIS NOBEL PRIZE?

For as long as we’ve known Sheldon, he’s been dedicated to science. His life goal is to win a Nobel Prize and accomplish greatness in the world of science. He’s been working on his theories since day one, and now we’ve watched his theory with Amy hit a major stride.

We know he’s constantly referring to his own greatness, and so far he’s had his hat in the running for that Nobel Prize. He wasn’t willing to sacrifice his moral integrity and his marriage to increase his chances of the prize, so we have to wait and see how it plays out. So far, we haven’t had any more hints as to what the decision is going to be. Will he finally get the recognition he deserves?

9 9. ARE WE EVER GOING TO MEET LEONARD’S SIBLINGS?

The Big Bang Theory Leonard and his dad

Leonard is constantly being overshadowed by the accomplishments of his other siblings, who have never, ever made an appearance on the show. Even at Leonard and Penny’s wedding. We’ve met everyone else’s siblings at least once (except for Penny’s supposed sister who was mentioned in passing once or twice), but these two remain a mystery.

Nearly every time Leonard's mother comes to town, it’s been brought up that he is the supposed black sheep of the family. So who are the wonder-siblings? We’ve heard so much about these highly successful individuals that it’s about time we at least get to see what they look like.

8 8. WILL HOWARD MEET HIS DAD?

The Big Bang Theory Howard Wolowitz

Speaking of never meeting someone’s relatives, we’re wondering if the mystery of Howard’s father will ever be solved for us. They’ve alluded to this before, but have never confirmed anything. In season six, "The Closet Reconfiguration," Sheldon finds an unopened letter from the mystery dad and each of his friends creates a theory on the contents to present to Howard.

Only one theory is correct. Howard chooses not to confirm which one is real and we still don’t really know. We’re hoping he’ll eventually want the closure and we can get those answers for ourselves. However, it’s looking like this is one of the questions that probably won’t be answered.

7 7. WHATEVER HAPPENED TO HOWARD’S YOUNGER HALF-BROTHER?

The Big Bang Theory Howard and brother Josh

Now, speaking of Howard’s long-lost relatives, in season eight, “The Fortification Implementation,” we were introduced to Josh Wolowitz, Howard’s half-brother. The brother shows up on his doorstep after the Wolowitzes have had a lawyer get in touch with their dad’s estate to sign over the deed to the house. During this episode, this epic encounter in Howard’s life kind of got brushed away, despite the fact that it could have had a lot more meaning.

In real life, if you were an only child who just found out you had a younger sibling, wouldn’t you have a little bit of a bigger reaction? But Josh has never shown up again on the show, and we’re wondering where he is. This episode also does confirm the fact that Howard’s dad is still alive and out there somewhere, alluding to the mystery yet again.

6 6. WHAT IS PENNY’S LAST NAME?

The Big Bang Theory Penny

Penny’s maiden name is a complete mystery. We know everyone else’s last names. But Penny’s has never been revealed on the show. Ever. In an interview in 2013, producer Steve Molaro stated that he didn’t think they would ever reveal her last name. But co-creator Bill Prady has said that they will reveal it eventually.

So, there’s really no consensus on this big reveal and it will definitely come as a surprise if it does happen. This may be another one of those questions that will go unsolved by the show’s end, but it has spiked the curiosity of so many fans for so long that we just have to know.

5 5. IS THE ELEVATOR EVER GOING TO GET FIXED?

The Big Bang Theory Broken elevator

The broken elevator has remained one of the most steady tropes throughout the show’s 12-year run. We know why it’s broken. In “The Staircase Implementation,” during season three, we learn that one of Leonard’s failed science experiment with rocket fuel blew up inside the elevator. Howard has even tried to fix it before, but no one has done so successfully.

Plenty of characters have commented on it and complained about it, though. Poor Professor Proton, for example, has had to exhaust himself going up those stairs multiple times. It’s possible that this is just going to remain one of those mysteries that never gets solved, but you’d think that the building owners would want to keep their property up to code.

4 4. IS HOWARD GOING TO GET HIS PhD?

The Big Bang Theory Howard

Howard is constantly being belittled by the rest of the group for being the only one without a PhD., despite being a highly intelligent engineer who has been to space. In season eight, “The Junior Professor Solution,” he announces that he’s considering getting his doctorate and signs up for Sheldon’s graduate class, to much frustration.

However, they never really go anywhere with that goal after that episode. Did Sheldon’s selfish teaching methods dissuade him from getting the degree? Is he secretly working toward it and is going to reveal it before the show ends? We’re going to have to just stay tuned.

3 3. ARE WE EVER GOING TO SEE THE WOLOWITZ BABIES?

The Big Bang Theory Wolowitz Babies

Howard and Bernadette’s babies have never been shown. We’ve certainly heard Halley’s startling cry and its resemblance to Howard’s late mother’s voice. But the only glimpses we’ve seen so far are the kids in their carriers or generic shots. For example, the nursery shot where it was impossible to tell which kid was Halley.

They seem to be doing this on purpose to create a sort of running joke throughout the show, like many of the other Big Bang Theory tropes we’re used to. There’s a strong chance that this may be something that will always be left a mystery, in the same vein as Howard’s mother, but there’s always hope there may be that one little glimpse.

2 2. WHO WILL BE THE NEXT TO GET PREGNANT?

The Big Bang Theory Sheldon Amy Wedding

At this point, they’ve already established the fact that Penny doesn’t want to have babies. But that doesn’t mean they can’t throw us a curveball. They’ve done it before. However, it certainly looks like Amy wants to get on the baby train really soon. In last week’s episode, “The Conference Valuation,” Amy gives Sheldon a book about scientific experiments that can be done on babies. She has a scheme behind this gesture, though.

She's trying to trick Sheldon into wanting to spend more time with kids and have babies of his own. Is this foreshadowing an upcoming baby announcement? Is she already pregnant (read the theory here)? We hope we’ll find out before the end of the season.

1 1. WILL RAJ GET HIS HAPPY EVER AFTER?

The Big Bang Theory Raj

Raj seems to be doomed to be unlucky in love forever. He’s the only single one left, and even Stuart now has a girlfriend. After sabotaging his own arranged marriage, he’s attempting to work things out again with Anu. They’re no longer engaged but are hanging out and seeing where things take them.

Fans have been divided over how they feel about the Raj and Anu relationship. But one thing is clear: ending the show with a wedding for Raj, or even prospective wedding plans, would be the perfect bittersweet send-off for his character. He deserves it. We’ve been rooting for him since day one.

NEXT: THE BIG BANG THEORY: HAVE WE ALREADY MET RAJ’S FUTURE WIFE?