Summary
Missy's character in Young Sheldon differs greatly from her depiction in The Big Bang Theory, showcasing her true intelligence and wit.
As Young Sheldon approaches its conclusion, reaching the stage where Sheldon relocates to Pasadena, the show's potential for continuity without causing any harm diminishes significantly.
To surpass Sheldon's narrative arc, Young Sheldon could fully embrace its ensemble nature, centering its attention on Missy and Georgie as the fresh protagonists. This shift would allow for the exploration of their captivating storylines and the struggles they face while growing up.
In The Big Bang Theory, Sheldon ensures Young Sheldon's future by sharing his worst story about Missy. Missy, the only daughter of the Cooper family, made her first appearance in season 1 of The Big Bang Theory and stood out due to her contrast from her socially-awkward twin. However, the show didn't bring her back until season 11, when she attended Sheldon and Amy's wedding. Despite her absence, Sheldon's habit of sharing childhood stories revealed more about Missy.
There have been discussions about the differences in how the Coopers are portrayed in The Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon. George's character has particularly affected the prequel's storytelling, as both Sheldon and Mary depicted him as a neglectful father. Now, Young Sheldon is under pressure to reconcile its version of the character, including his controversial cheating scandal. However, this issue has mainly impacted Missy. In The Big Bang Theory, she was portrayed as dumb and naive, which is not the case in Young Sheldon. Nevertheless, this depiction of Missy may be how the spin-off continues.
Sheldon's Story Nears Its End In Young Sheldon
Young Sheldon is bound to come to a close due to the established continuity of The Big Bang Theory. Being a prequel, it is expected to portray Sheldon's life up until his move to Pasadena to attend Caltech. Given his intelligence, Sheldon completes college at a young age, allowing him to pursue post-graduate studies in California, where he ultimately marries Amy and wins the Nobel Prize in Physics. The Big Bang Theory revealed that Sheldon starts his master's studies at 14, leaving him with just one more year at East Texas Tech and Medford.
There are speculations that the seventh season of Young Sheldon will mark the series' conclusion. Despite its current status as the top comedy on TV, its timeline is steadily leading up to Sheldon's significant relocation to Pasadena. Therefore, even if CBS desires to prolong the show, the writers have limited options in maintaining its continuity with The Big Bang Theory. The network has already stretched the show's story for a few years, evident in the slowed aging of Sheldon and Missy. Unfortunately, this approach is no longer feasible due to the actors' growth.
How Young Sheldon Can Continue Beyond Sheldon's TBBT Arc
Moving the show beyond season 7 of Young Sheldon without making changes is almost impossible. CBS insists that it remains in the same universe as The Big Bang Theory, so in order to maintain continuity, it is crucial for Sheldon to move to Pasadena after finishing his final year at East Texas Tech. Luckily, there is still a way for the series to progress — if it is willing to evolve beyond its main character, Sheldon. While Sheldon may be the star, the show has essentially transformed into an ensemble series in recent years, surpassing its original premise. This means that each member of the Cooper family has been given their own storylines.
If CBS fully embraces this and rebrands the show as a family comedy called The Coopers, Missy and Georgie can take the lead as Sheldon relocates from Texas. Young Sheldon season 6 has shown that the series is already in need of some adjustments, as Sheldon has become more irritating than ever. Since he spends most of his time at East Texas Tech, he often feels out of place in the broader context of the show. As Georgie and Mandy do not have the same connections to The Big Bang Theory as Sheldon does, CBS has successfully developed their characters and their stories, setting them up to become the next focal points of Young Sheldon.
Sheldon's High School Story About Missy Guarantees Young Sheldon's Future
Sheldon's proximity to his siblings in The Big Bang Theory allowed for easy mocking of them, even from their own mother, Mary, for comedic effect. However, as Young Sheldon delves into the development of Georgie and Missy, it becomes evident that many of the stories shared by Sheldon and his mother are largely inaccurate. Contrary to the portrayal, neither Georgie nor Missy are unintelligent; they simply possess different types of intelligence compared to their gifted brother. Georgie showcases a natural talent for entrepreneurship, while Missy exhibits street-smarts and wit. Although Young Sheldon cannot alter the way these characters were originally described in The Big Bang Theory, the prequel can leverage these comments to its advantage.
One particular storyline in The Big Bang Theory focuses on Sheldon's worst Missy story, in which he claims she spent six years in high school. However, very little attention is given to Missy's school life. The sixth season of Young Sheldon briefly touches upon this, but there is potential for the show to delve much deeper into this narrative. Missy's extended high school experience opens up a plethora of stories to explore if CBS decides to extend Young Sheldon beyond Sheldon's own storyline. While Georgie's journey revolves around his pursuit of success in business and his role as a dedicated father, Missy's arc can revolve around her personal growth and challenges as a teenager.
How Young Sheldon Can Fix Big Bang Theory's Missy Crime
Due to its status as a prequel, Young Sheldon is limited in its ability to alter the established elements of The Big Bang Theory, unless it contradicts continuity or portrays Sheldon in a dishonest manner. Consequently, Missy's less-than-ideal future remains consistent with the established canon. However, the prequel series does provide valuable insight into the reasons behind her failure to reach her full potential. In the sixth season of Young Sheldon, viewers witness her struggles with constantly being overlooked by her parents and the detrimental impact this has on her self-esteem. Her insecurities drive her to make unwise choices, worsened by the inadequate support she receives from both George and Mary, further intensifying her fears of inadequacy.
Delving into Missy's journey leading up to her appearance in The Big Bang Theory allows audiences to gain a better understanding of her backstory, including how her upbringing contributed to her future development. While Sheldon often receives everything he desires, Missy is left with minimal support from her parents, often turning to Meemaw or Georgie for assistance instead. Additionally, Young Sheldon has the opportunity to shed light on Missy's post-The Big Bang Theory experiences through adult Sheldon's narration.