Dumb Things We All Ignored In Young Sheldon

Young Sheldon, played by Iain Armitage, boasts about being the smartest child around. However, this sitcom that depicts his childhood, titled “Young Sheldon,” occasionally includes moments that are not so bright. Despite these occasional lapses, the show remains deeply moving and insightful about human nature. However, it’s important to acknowledge that some plot twists, such as those attempting to blend the more emotionally charged show with its parent series, “The Big Bang Theory,” don’t always mesh well and can lead to narrative inconsistencies.

In the universe of “The Big Bang Theory,” as events unfold, certain puzzling instances can impact “Georgie and Mandy’s First Marriage” and, in a sense, influence “The Big Bang Theory” itself. The show’s peculiar handling of history, unusual character actions, or plot inconsistencies that don’t pass scrutiny when you pause to ponder them are some of the major, amusing, and downright absurd issues we overlook while being entertained by the Cooper family’s escapades. Here are the most significant, zany, and simply foolish rules and inconsistencies that “Young Sheldon” adhered to, which we all tend to disregard despite their presence.

The timeline is all messed up

The television series “Young Sheldon,” similar to shows like “The Goldbergs,” which also take place in the past, occasionally introduces anachronisms into its mix of humor and drama. This means that certain events or items appear on screen that were not yet available during the time period portrayed. For example, characters like Sheldon and Meemaw are depicted playing a Super Nintendo in 1990, even though it was not released until a year later in America. Similarly, Meemaw’s gambling in Louisiana during the 1980s is shown, but gambling was not legalized there until 1991. While these are minor discrepancies, they are noticeable to some viewers who appreciate the show’s historical accuracy, and they may cause a slight disruption to the overall enjoyment of the series.

Occasionally, despite its playful manipulations with time sequences, “Young Sheldon” became remarkably authentic by delving into intricate details: for instance, a Season 1 episode of the show led to a potential $272,000 fine from the FCC due to an incorrect use of the Emergency Alert System’s tone as a tornado warning. The worry was that viewers might be misled and fail to recognize actual emergencies. In December 2024, CBS parent company Paramount Global decided to settle this fine and others.

There are some timeline issues

As a devoted fan, I’ve noticed an intriguing conundrum in the way “Young Sheldon” aligns with the broader timeline of “The Big Bang Theory.” Though the show generally portrays child characters aging at a reasonable pace, the inconsistencies surrounding Sheldon’s age are quite puzzling.

For most parts, the show maintains an appropriate timeline for Sheldon, especially since he graduates from college not long after his father’s demise. However, there seems to be some confusion regarding his age when he travels to Germany. According to earlier tales, Sheldon is supposed to be 15 during this trip, yet the show’s continuity suggests otherwise.

In the TV show “The Big Bang Theory,” Sheldon (played by Jim Parsons) mentions that he graduated from Texas Tech at the age of 14. However, if we follow the timeline presented in the series, Sheldon would have started working at CalTech when he was 21 and this happens during Season 1. But as per the show, Sheldon is portrayed as being 27 years old at that time. This discrepancy suggests some inconsistency in the chronology of events within the storyline.

In the TV series “Young Sheldon,” there seems to be an inconsistency regarding Sheldon’s accelerated education compared to his siblings’ ages, as it doesn’t align well with their adult counterparts’ ages. This discrepancy has stirred debate among fans of the show, who point out that the portrayal of Sheldon in “Young Sheldon” seems to muddle the timeline between the two series.

George Cooper is a much better man on Young Sheldon

As a gamer, I can tell you that George Cooper (Lance Barber) was an extraordinary father who had his kids wrapped around his finger. He may have had a bit of a grumpy side and occasionally let his sarcastic humor fly, but he was still a fantastic dad, an amazing husband, and a highly respected coach.

The tragic news of George’s passing left his family in deep mourning, and the pain lingered with each of them over time – themes that have been explored on “Georgie and Mandy’s First Marriage.” However, this new version of George is far from the character fans remember from Sheldon’s tales on “The Big Bang Theory.

In simpler terms, the character Sheldon often depicted his father as an absent, abusive, and alcoholic dad on the show. However, this contradicts the overall storyline of the series. To address this inconsistency, a scene in the final episode of “Young Sheldon” was added where an older Sheldon (played by Jim Parsons) explains that he used to lie about his father’s drinking problems as a way to make his death easier for his friends to understand. This is a somewhat far-fetched explanation, but it emphasizes the significant impact George had on Sheldon’s life.

Mandy and Georgie’s relationship is (barely) legal

Many dedicated viewers of “Young Sheldon” have expressed discomfort about the romantic relationship between Georgie Cooper Jr. (Montana Jordan) and Mandy McAllister (Emily Osment), given their significant age difference. In a car, they lied about their ages and eventually had a daughter named CeeCee, which led to a hasty marriage known as a shotgun wedding. Despite the controversy surrounding their relationship due to the age gap, viewers tend to overlook it because of the entertaining interactions between the characters and the development of their romance. However, under Texas law during the 1990s, Georgie was barely old enough to be considered a husband, since the age of consent in the state was 17 at the time. This means that their union in marriage was precarious, as Mandy could have potentially been charged with pedophilia if the legalities were more strictly enforced.

In a somewhat unsettling manner, even after being married for more than three years on the show, their past connection remains vivid, and that’s a bit awkward to recall. However, this doesn’t diminish the hopes of fans who wish for their reconciliation.

Meemaw never learns her lesson

Fans adore Sheldon’s feisty grandmother Meemaw due to her unwavering refusal to give up or back down. This woman faces challenges bravely and responds with defiance. However, her bold decisions frequently lead her into difficult situations. Recall the time she established an illicit betting parlor, leading to her arrest and imprisonment, along with Georgie? Despite the risk to her freedom and concerns about her grandchildren’s safety, she continues to pursue quick profits. Yet, she cherishes and safeguards them deeply – if there’s a shorter, roundabout way to do so, she’ll take it.

In essence, Meemaw’s character flaw – her involvement in a sports betting racket – adds depth to her personality within the series “Georgie and Mandy’s First Marriage”. This is a quirk she never seems to abandon. While it’s an aspect some viewers may find objectionable, they tend to overlook it because it contributes significantly to understanding Meemaw’s character. However, her unwillingness to change this behavior is a minor yet slightly annoying detail that viewers can’t help but notice.

Meemaw has a personality swap

In the spin-off series, there’s an inconsistency when it comes to some characters from “The Big Bang Theory” having different traits compared to their portrayals in “Young Sheldon.” The creators of “Young Sheldon” have made efforts to clarify how George and Mary evolved into the characters we see on “The Big Bang Theory,” and the Missy (Raegan Revord) and Georgie from the initial show closely resemble their future versions in the spin-offs. However, there remains a significant difference between the Meemaw character we know from “The Big Bang Theory” and her earlier self.

In the classic television series, June Squibb portrays Meemaw as a charming, elderly woman who affectionately refers to Sheldon as her “moonpie”, bakes cookies, and displays such kindness that Sheldon finds it difficult to utter an unkind word about her. The only individual she harbors any resentment towards is Amy Farrah Fowler (Mayim Bialik) for rejecting Sheldon’s proposal. Even this grudge eventually fades away. However, the gentle, pacifistic nature of this Meemaw seems out of character compared to the fiery, no-nonsense Meemaw we encounter in “Young Sheldon”, leaving us puzzled as to why she would behave so mildly.

Sheldon’s friends disappear

In “Young Shendon”, there are several significant characters who play a role in Sheldon’s life, yet he rarely refers to them on “The Big Bang Theory”. Although some of these friends share continuity between the two series, like Tam Nguyen (portrayed by Robert Wu and Ryan Phuong), others seem to disappear or fade away.

Paige Swanson (played by McKenna Grace), one of Missy’s friends, plays a significant role in Sheldon’s life, yet she is never mentioned on “The Big Bang Theory.” Similarly, his dormmates in Texas, with whom he shared video game sessions and Dungeons & Dragons games, are crucial to him but remain unseen. Given the 12 seasons of the show, it seems odd that there’s no foundation laid for these characters’ presence.

This is saying that while it’s normal for people who were once close to us not to be frequently mentioned in everyday conversations, and it would be unrealistic to expect them to appear on a show like “The Big Bang Theory,” it still seems strange that the storylines don’t provide more background about these characters who played important roles in Sheldon’s life.

George’s affair is averted — unbeknownst to Sheldon

A significant part of Sheldon Cooper’s childhood beliefs was that his father had an affair with a neighboring woman with blonde hair, an event he personally witnessed which left him deeply hurt. This is why Sheldon always knocks three times and calls out the name of the person he’s seeking when approaching a closed door – in his own words, this gives the people inside time to straighten up and gather their thoughts.

In “Young Sheldon,” George, who is portrayed as an honorable man who wouldn’t cheat on his wife even under threat, has had an affair retconned in the series. The woman he sleeps with is revealed to be Mary in a wig, causing Sheldon to experience trauma and develop his signature knock unnecessarily. This plot twist, intended to reconcile the sitcoms’ differences, is frustrating for fans of both shows, who were anticipating a heart-wrenching narrative arc and find this resolution disappointing instead.

Sheldon’s home is nothing like he previously describes it

In a similar vein on “The Big Bang Theory,” Sheldon Cooper stated that Mary had to leave for Texas because their family home was experiencing issues again, which he described as being “off its foundation.” If no significant financial hardship befalls Mary and Missy after Sheldon heads off to CalTech, the rundown mobile home mentioned by Sheldon to his friends in Pasadena remains an unresolved inconsistency in the narrative of Sheldon’s childhood, offering a glimpse into the series’ storytelling choices.

Fans of “Young Sheldon” have long recognized the appearance of the Cooper family home: Sheldon’s return to it brings a heartfelt farewell and its kitchen and living room are iconic symbols of the series, with not a single crooked wall or missing detail anywhere. However, until more information is revealed in “Georgie and Mandy’s First Marriage,” this unresolved plot issue remains bothersome.

Sheldon’s social skills are numerous

In the sitcom “The Big Bang Theory,” while Sheldon’s fondness for lists and structure is well-known, his character also presents an aspect that isn’t fully delved into in its prequel “Young Sheldon.” Specifically, he appears less antisocial on “Young Sheldon” compared to how he comes across in “The Big Bang Theory.” As an adult, Sheldon is not particularly sociable. He often views people as rivals at best and germ-carriers at worst. His relationship with Amy takes time to develop, and even after confessing his love for her, he’s not one for affectionate gestures like cuddling or kissing. Leonard experiences both hostility and camaraderie from Sheldon. If you’re Penny (Kaley Cuoco), there’s a lot of flattery required to maintain a friendly relationship with him.

In the show “Young Sheldon,” things are quite distinct compared to his adult life. While Sheldon doesn’t have a large number of close friends, he manages to interact well with his family members, including Missy. He forms significant relationships with mentors and acquaintances with several children. In comparison to his future self, Sheldon appears more sociable. As he matures into an adult, his social circle becomes smaller. Whether this is a natural progression of growing up or a point of contention in “Young Sheldon” is something viewers are still discussing.

Dr. Sturgis pulls a vanishing act

Among the numerous Texas Tech-associated characters who fade away throughout Sheldon Cooper’s journey, Dr. John Sturgis (played by Wallace Shawn) stands out and deserves separate recognition. He shares a very intimate relationship with Sheldon, demonstrating both the perils and benefits of being a brilliant scientist. Interestingly, John also had a romantic encounter with Meemaw before she settled down with Dale (Craig T. Nelson). However, Sheldon, surprisingly, doesn’t acknowledge his mentor even once in “The Big Bang Theory.” Intriguingly, after graduation, Sheldon seems to have no further thoughts about this influential figure.

Although it might seem plausible to attribute most of the missing characters in the series to Sheldon’s actions or memory lapses, it proves challenging to dismiss his unexplained forgetting of his mentor. While it is true that Sheldon initially pushes away his mentor when he tries to console him, it becomes puzzling when he later accepts a gift from Sturgis and Dr. Linkletter (Ed Begley Jr.). This seemingly minor inconsistency is infuriating because a character like Sturgis deserves more attention in the show’s narrative.

The church’s treatment of the Coopers makes little sense

From my perspective, Mary’s profound devotion to her church proves both a blessing and a challenge for our beloved Cooper family. In the aftermath of George Sr.’s departure, Mary finds solace in her faith and leans on Jeff Difford (Matt Hobby) for support. Over time, they grow incredibly close, yet Jeff’s indecisive handling of the Coopers due to Georgie and Mandy’s union creates a tangled plotline filled with humor.

It’s commonly understood that Pastor Jeff exhibits hypocritical behavior, such as stealing money from Meemaw to purchase a TV, while simultaneously firing Mary from her church position for supporting her son’s non-marital child. Later, Mary is reinstated, but Jeff persists in criticizing the Cooper family, particularly Mandy’s job at the adult video store and George’s passing. His duplicitous actions certainly highlight his two-faced character. Mightn’t it be beneficial for him to possess some backbone? It’s no surprise then that Sheldon becomes an atheist in adulthood.

2025-04-22 23:32