Much to the fans' disappointment, one of CBS' most popular comedies,Young Sheldon,is drawing to a close with its seventh season. The show aired its first season in 2017 and was a prequel to the sitcomThe Big Bang Theory. Throughout its numerous seasons,Young Sheldontook viewers through the childhood ofThe Big Bang Theory’sSheldon Cooper and followed Iain Armitage as he starred in the titular role.
The prequel won the hearts of fans thanks to its portrayal of Sheldon’s less-than-normal childhood and family dynamics.Young Sheldonalso became a relatable watch to many as it focused on the issues that Sheldon faced as a child-genius and the struggles that the rest of his family went through. Attesting to its success, the seriesbecame CBS' number-one comedy for 2022-23, and the hype surrounding the show has not yet died down despite news that Season 7 will seeYoung Sheldoncome to an end. There is a lot that fans are hoping to see inYoung Sheldon’sfinal season. However, there is one event fromThe Big Bang Theory’s established canon that viewers were hoping the prequel would avoid.
Why Did Viewers Fall in Love with Young Sheldon?
Young Sheldon
Young Sheldonachieved exceptionally high levels of success, with audiences going as far as to say that the prequel isbetter thanThe Big Bang Theory. One of the main points that worked in favor of the prequel was the fact that its plot centered on a family. WhereasThe Big Bang Theoryfocused on a group of science-loving individuals,Young Sheldonbrought viewers a more relatable watch by affording a good level of attention to Sheldon’s family.
Viewers were exposed to the struggles that Sheldon’s parents, siblings, and grandmother went through in their relationship with him. With parents who tried their best to grapple with their son’s brilliance while protecting him and giving him the best opportunities, siblings who felt left out and forgotten, and an almost eccentric grandmother with devil-may-care ways,Young Sheldonoffered each viewer something to connect to.
The show also earned a special place in the hearts of fans as it did not shy away from focusing on the character arcs of Mary, George, Georgie, Missy, and Meemaw. By bringing Mary’s struggles with religion, issues in George and Mary’s marriage, Meemaw’s dating life, Georgie’s quest to establish his own path in life, and Missy’s journey in building her own self-identity to screens,Young Sheldonhas been able to touch on universal themes and focus on the character arcs of the rest of the Cooper family despite primarily focusing on Sheldon’s childhood.
What Were Viewers Hoping Young Sheldon Season 7 Would Avoid?
Thanks to becoming a show that was able to form a connection with its viewers, audiences are now vested in the lives of the Cooper family. Given this, there are several things that fans want from the new season. A few events thatfans hope to seeinclude the marriage between Georgie and Mandy, Sheldon’s time in Germany, and Connie’s future after the storm in Season 6 threw her life into chaos.
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Amidst all that fans are hoping Season 7 will bring, there is one event in particular that viewers are hoping that the new season will avoid: the death of George Sr. As perThe Big Bang Theorycanon, Sheldon and Missy lose their father when they are 14 years old. With the twins being 13 in Season 6 ofYoung Sheldon,the new season should see Sheldon and Missy turn 14, meaning their father will soon pass away. Given how invested viewers are in the lives of the Cooper family and the identity that the prequel has created for George, differing from the character’s depiction inThe Big Bang Theory,taking out the family patriarch would be devastating for fans and also change the tone of the series.
Young Sheldon Season 7 Will Likely Cover George Sr.’s Death
Despite the hopes of fans, the new season will likely go on to include the death of George Sr. This is mainly due to the timeline established inThe Big Bang Theory. As perThe Big Bang Theory,Sheldon discovers his father’s affair when he is 13, and his father dies the following year. The prequel has already touched on the narrative of George having an affair with Brenda, and Sheldon is 13 years old in Season 6, making George’s death the story’s natural progression.
It is also already known that George died of weight-related issues, possibly heart complications.Young Sheldonhas stuck to a depiction of George, which lends to the cause of death established in the parent show. In the prequel, George Cooper is constantly seen with a beer in hand and has health issues that land him in the hospital. This representation paves the way forYoung Sheldonto smoothly lead George’s character to his cause of death.
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However, it has been confirmed thatYoung SheldonSeason 7will have fewer episodes than previous seasons due to the SAG-AFTRA strikes. Given this, the creative team behindYoung Sheldoncould choose to skip over George’s death. This would protect the show’s lighthearted tone, whereas the family patriarch’s death would steer the prequel down a darker, more serious path. Another option is for writers to have Jim Parsons narrate the death of George Sr. without bringing the actual event to screens.
Young Sheldonhas a history of not deviating from the storylines established inThe Big Bang Theory.Whether writers and producers choose to do the same in relation to George Sr.’s death remains to be seen. Season 7 ofYoung Sheldonis scheduled to air on July 30, 2025, with the season finale set for August 20, 2025.
