Fortunately, if Young Sheldonâs success is any metric, the upcoming sitcom will be able to win over viewers. Even though Young Sheldon was set decades before The Big Bang Theory, transplanted its action from California to Texas, and switched formats, the sitcomâs characters still soon won over viewers. Young Sheldonâs cast of characters was what made the series work, from the rebellious Meemaw to Sheldonâs well-meaning but impulsive brother Georgie. A look back on each seasonâs best quote proves how much character comedy was the foundation that underpinned all of Young Sheldonâs success from its pilot to the series finale.
7âI’m ahead of my time? Alright, call me when you catch up.â
Season 1, Episode 6, “A Patch, a Modem, and a Zantacâ
Season 1, episode 6, “A Patch, a Modem, and a Zantac,â saw Sheldon dismissed by a visiting NASA scientist who refused to take his suggestions seriously. Undeterred, the ever-confident Sheldon visited the Johnson Space Center with his supportive father George Sr. in tow. There, he was informed that his plans were theoretically valid, but the technology required to put his ideas into action did not exist yet. His confidence renewed, Sheldon uttered the unforgettable quote that set his over-sized ego in stone for future outings of the show.
Self-centered egotism eventually became Sheldonâs biggest Big Bang Theory character flaw but, in this early Young Sheldon outing, it was entirely justified.
Although Young Sheldonâs title character was always pretty self-assured, he also struggled with confidence like any other kid. What made this quote from “A Patch, a Modem, and a Zantac,â so great was its glimpse of Sheldonâs future self, a character whose brazen self-certainty often got him into trouble. Self-centered egotism eventually became Sheldonâs biggest Big Bang Theory character flaw but, in this early Young Sheldon outing, it was entirely justified. Sheldonâs discovery that he was right, but the world simply wasnât ready for him was a major reassurance for a character so often isolated and mocked.
6âThey’re not temper tantrums! He just has strong opinions.”
Season 2. Episode 5, âA Research Study and Czechoslovakian Wedding Pastriesâ
Although Sheldon got a hard time from his classmates, teachers, his community, and even his own family members at times, that does not mean the showâs hero had no one in his corner. Young Sheldonâs Mary was fiercely protective of her child-prodigy son, defending Sheldon both when he needed her help and when he was entirely in the wrong. Mary remained Sheldonâs greatest support throughout The Big Bang Theory, putting aside their differing beliefs to coddle her son even as he entered his thirties. This was contextualized in season 2, episode 5, âA Research Study and Czechoslovakian Wedding Pastries.â
When Missy and Sheldon partake in a scientific study of twins, Mary is quick to dismiss George Sr.âs mention of Sheldonâs frequent tantrums. According to Mary, these are merely âStrong opinions,â a euphemism that highlights just how much Sheldonâs mother strains to defend him even from his own family. Maryâs role in Georgie and Mandyâs spinoff will be interesting as it is the first time viewers have seen her without Sheldon, and defending her son was a full-time job in both earlier shows.
5âThat’s okay. You’re still my dad, and I’m genetically obligated to love you.â
Season 3, Episode 7, âPongo Pygmaeus and a Culture that Encourages Spitting”
In âPongo Pygmaeus and a Culture that Encourages Spitting,” Sheldon starts an online flame war on the early internet with the support of his colleague and mentor, Dr. Sturgis. Sheldon and Sturgisâs exchanges regarding highly scientific, terminology-heavy insults to lob at other academics almost warrant a mention here, but it is his response to George Sr. in conversation that perfectly encapsulates their fraught dynamic. When George Sr. admits to Sheldon that he doesnât understand a word of his technical jargon, Sheldon tells him he loves him regardless during one of the pairâs sweeter exchanges.
What makes this scene so important is that this unsuspecting moment from “Pongo Pygmaeus and a Culture that Encourages Spittingâ captures a pivotal element of Sheldon and George Sr.âs relationship. George Sr. never fully understands his son and, as a result, struggles to see eye to eye with him. However, the pair still put in an effort to bridge the gap between their intellects, and George Sr. still cares for his son. In his own strange way, via quotes like this, Sheldon proves that he cares for his father, too.