The Evolution of Young Sheldon: A Journey Through Six Seasons
A look back at the six seasons of Young Sheldon, exploring its transformation from a prequel to a family show, and the impact of each season on the series as a whole. From its origins as a spin-off of The Big Bang Theory to becoming a show with its own identity, Young Sheldon has gone through significant changes over the years.
The Origin Story of Young Sheldon
Not all Young Sheldon seasons are created equal. Ahead of Young Sheldon's final season, it's the perfect time to look back at its last six seasons and see how they fare against each other. Debuting in 2017, Young Sheldon was an effort to further capitalize on the immense popularity of The Big Bang Theory. Granted that the idea for the show didn't start as a spin-off for the nerd-centric sitcom, Jim Parsons' involvement made it easier to workshop it to become a prequel show for his fan-favorite character. The original idea for Young Sheldon is for it to be an origins story for Sheldon Cooper, based on his penchant for telling stories about his childhood in Texas.
Young Sheldon Season 4 Finale
Over time, however, Young Sheldon has evolved into something bigger than Sheldon. While it continues to tell stories about his childhood, the prequel has expanded its storytelling to other members of the family. At this point, every single Cooper has had one great story arc or two — several of them are still waiting for resolutions in season 7. Young Sheldon is ending with its popularity at its peak, but just because it seems like it has recently resonated with more viewers in more recent years, it doesn't necessarily mean that they are the best of what the show has to offer.
Young Sheldon Season 4: The Turning Point
Young Sheldon season 4 was the perfect mid-point between being a The Big Bang Theory prequel and a show on its own. Sheldon's story was compelling — something that the latest seasons just can't seem to do. What makes this more impressive is the fact that Young Sheldon season 4 is set at the height of the coronavirus pandemic.
Iain Armitage's Sheldon sits beside the wireless in Young Sheldon season 2 finale
Two years after it started standing on its own following The Big Bang Theory's 12-year run in 2019, Young Sheldon finally found its own identity. While it isn't known for honoring previously established continuity, it has also taken advantage of opportunities to reference The Big Bang Theory in several different ways. Young Sheldon season 4 featured Amy for the first time, confirming that Sheldon does have a son in the future, named Leonard Cooper. Later in the year, the sitcom also revealed where Sheldon got the idea for his Mobile Virtual Presence Device (MVPD), which is one of his most memorable and bizarre creations in The Big Bang Theory.
A young Amy Farrah Fowler reading a book in bed in Young Sheldon season 2 finale
Young Sheldon season 4 was the perfect mid-point between being a The Big Bang Theory prequel and a show on its own. Sheldon's story was compelling — something that the latest seasons just can't seem to do.
Iain Armitage's Sheldon crying in Young Sheldon season 2 finale
The Family Dynamics in Young Sheldon
In Young Sheldon season 6, the show finished its transformation to become a family show. Mandy's introduction in season 5 and the subsequent revelation that she and Georgie were unexpectedly pregnant subjected Sheldon's whole family to a massive crisis. One of the reasons why Young Sheldon season 6 is one of the best storytelling for the show thus far lies in its original storylines, meaning plots that were never mentioned in The Big Bang Theory. Mandy and Georgie's romance was at the forefront of the year, but there was also Paige's rebellion arc, as well as Missy's own. Young Sheldon season 6 crystallized the idea that it can become so much better than just being a The Big Bang Theory prequel. This resonated with viewers, with the spin-off posting series-high ratings during the year.
George, Mary, Georgie, and Sheldon looking at Meemaw with a shocked look in their faces in Young Sheldon season 6
Coming from a strong season 4 and functioning as the narrative launching pad for season 6, CBS further diversified its storytelling for Young Sheldon season 5 by paying more attention to other members of Sheldon's family. At this point, the show was clearly on a transitional stage, as it veered away from its original premise of being only Sheldon's origins story. Instead of being a lighthearted comedy, Young Sheldon season 5 also leaned into more dramatic storylines, which was set up in the season 4 finale, featuring George and Mary's fiery argument, and the subsequent suggestion of his tendency to cheat.
Young Sheldon season 5 image shows Lance Barber as George and Raegan Revord as Missy
A Shift in Storytelling
The first two seasons of Young Sheldon stayed true to the show's original premise. Sheldon remained the center of the series' focus, with the season 2 finale coinciding with The Big Bang Theory's emotional swan song. When it returned in 2019 for Young Sheldon season 3, however, there was a gradual shift to its storytelling. At this point, the family comedy was still trying to find the balance between its comedic and dramatic moments, with storylines such as Dr. Sturgis' hospitalization in a mental hospital, which impacted Sheldon in various and a more whimsical plot that involved a talking pool water.
Iain Armitage's Sheldon holds up a letter in Young Sheldon season 3 finale
Young Sheldon season 3's varying plots made its storytelling feel tumultuous and less cohesive. One episode could be dealing with a fairly serious subject, and it could be followed by a more lighthearted fare, which resulted in the show seemingly having an identity crisis. It did have some magnificent one-off outings, including the Coopers' trip to a carnival and the beginning of Paige's downfall after the divorce of her parents. Overall, however, it felt disjointed.
