Summary
Leonard’s death is undoubtedly sad, but it’s so much better than acceptingYoung Sheldon’s worstThe Big Bang Theorydisrespect. TheYoung Sheldonfinaledropped clues that Sheldon’s best friend may have already passed away in a post-The Big Bang Theoryworld. Admittedly, even just considering the idea is despairing, given how tight-knit the Pasadena gang is, not to mention that he left Penny and their child. That said, there’s no denying that the clues were there, and cannot be ignored. Looking at it fromYoung Sheldon’s lens, however,Leonard being dead has a silver lining.
WhileYoung Sheldonstarted as a supplementary viewing for those who want to know more about the universe thatThe Big Bang Theoryexisted in, it gradually grew out of its parent show’s shadows. Instead of being only about Sheldon, it transformed into a true family comedy that gave the rest of the Coopers their respective storylines. It had always played fast and loose with the established canon, but occasionally, it would stagefun tributes to the nerd-centric sitcom via voice cameos from Amy and Howard. Unfortunately, it forgot to acknowledge the most important part ofThe Big Bang Theory.
Big Bang Theory Already Committed Penny’s Pregnancy Finale Crime Seven Years Earlier
Penny’s horrible pregnancy crime finale was already committed by The Big Bang Theory seven years before the hit nerd sitcom’s last season.
Sheldon Never Mentioned Leonard In His Young Sheldon Memoir
Howard Got An Invite To Participate But Sheldon Never Even Referenced Leonard
If theYoung Sheldonfinale’s clues about Leonard being deadend up coming to fruition, then it would effectively explain the prequel’s biggest disrespect to its parent series. Throughout the spinoff’s run, Jim Parsons' adult Sheldon narrated the events of his childhood. In the flashforward scene with Amy, it was confirmed that he has been working on his memoir, hence why he has been looking back at this point in his life. The problem is, thatSheldon never mentioned Leonard once during this project, which is such a travesty, considering how much Penny’s husband did for his best friend.
Leonard’s Death Would Explain Why Sheldon Never Talked About Him In Young Sheldon
Sheldon Has Always Struggled Dealing With Grief
If Sheldon took decades to truly face the truth about losing his father, then it isn’t outside the realm of possibility that he’s still in denial of Leonard’s possible demise.
Assuming that Leonard is dead, then that would explain why Sheldon never discussed their friendship or even mentioned him in his memoir. It was established both inThe Big Bang TheoryandYoung Sheldonthat the socially-inept genius has always had a difficult time dealing with big emotions. This was illustrated when Arthur Jeffries/Professor Proton died and more recently, whenGeorge passed away inYoung Sheldon. If Sheldon took decades to truly face the truth about losing his father, then it isn’t outside the realm of possibility that he’s still in denial of Leonard’s possible demise.
Meemaw Unexpectedly Completed Young Sheldon’s George Big Bang Theory Retcon
Young Sheldon spent 7 years rehabilitating George’s tainted image from The Big Bang Theory. Surprisingly, it was Meemaw who finished it.
In some ways, Leonard was more instrumental in Sheldon’s life than George was. This doesn’t mean that his father’s love didn’t contribute to his life, but even he admitted that his dad had a difficult time connecting with him (his whole family did). Meanwhile,Leonard was Sheldon’s true soulmate. His life changed for the better when they became roommates because his best friend provided him with the social group that became his solid support system in Pasadena. Given all these, Leonard’s death is at least an excuse for Sheldon’s ignorance of his best friend inYoung Sheldon.
Young Sheldon
Cast
A spinoff of the sitcom The Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon follows the youth and coming-of-age of Sheldon Cooper during his childhood in Texas as he pursues science and academia. The show also follows his parents, siblings, and Mee-Maw, painting a picture of the world where Sheldon grew up.
The Big Bang Theory
The Big Bang Theory: This sitcom follows a group of socially awkward scientists and their interactions with each other and the people around them. Centered on physicists Sheldon and Leonard, the series humorously explores friendship, romance, and the quirks of life among an eclectic group of academics.
