Unveiling Mary's Transformation: How Young Sheldon Revolutionizes Your Perspective on The Big Bang Theory

The portrayal of Sheldon's mother in the prequel, Young Sheldon, inevitably alters viewers' perception of her character in the earlier sitcom, The Big Bang Theory. While there are occasional changes to the canon of The Big Bang Theory, the prequel generally stays faithful to the established story. However, since Young Sheldon focuses on Sheldon's family as he grows up in suburban Texas, it significantly influences how viewers interpret their portrayal in The Big Bang Theory. For instance, Young Sheldon has made Sheldon's struggles with his brother Georgie more poignant.

The spinoff accomplishes this by depicting Georgie's strong desire for his parents' approval, making it difficult for him to digest Mary's doting attention towards Sheldon. Without altering The Big Bang Theory's canon, Young Sheldon adds relatability to Georgie's predicament and offers a more well-rounded portrayal of his character in the prequel. However, the expansion of The Big Bang Theory's canon doesn't always have positive consequences in Young Sheldon. The prequel has the capacity to make characters, who were initially perceived as funny, appear darker or sadder in hindsight. This has been evident in multiple instances involving Mary, Sheldon's mother, encompassing aspects like her faith and marriage.

8 Young Sheldon Makes Mary’s The Big Bang Theory Treatment of Missy Sadder

In Young Sheldon season 5, Missy offers her support to her mother, Mary, as Mary struggles with her relationship with Pastor Rob. Reflecting on this exchange, it becomes less enjoyable and more disheartening when we recall that Mary insisted Missy should reconcile with her ex-husband during their final joint appearance on The Big Bang Theory. It is disappointing to see that Mary failed to support her adult daughter's decisions, especially considering Missy's ability to support her mother at such a young age. While the upcoming spinoff of The Big Bang Theory may present a more hopeful update on Missy's future, it is disheartening that the sitcom ended her relationship with Mary on a negative note, given Missy's early support.

7 Young Sheldon Makes Mary’s The Big Bang Theory Religion Confusing

In Young Sheldon season 6, Mary is expelled from church due to Georgie impregnating Mandy. This prompts Sheldon to confront the congregation, exposing their hypocrisy and flawing the small-town institution. Surprisingly, in The Big Bang Theory, Mary becomes even more devoted to her faith. The enigmatic reconciliation between Mary and the church remains puzzling. However, it is possible that George Sr's sudden death may have provided solace for Young Sheldon's Mary, leading her back to the church.

6 Young Sheldon Makes Mary’s George Slander Sadder

Mary frequently refers to George as an alcoholic philanderer throughout The Big Bang Theory. However, Young Sheldon presents a different side of George - a loving and devoted husband, as well as a caring father. This stark contrast casts doubt on Mary's characterizations, which can be seen as extreme and potentially inaccurate. Nevertheless, it is possible that these remarks serve as Mary's way of coping with the tragic loss of George, channeling her grief into bitter anger towards him. By magnifying his flaws, Mary may be attempting to shield herself from the sorrow of his untimely demise and the void it left in her life. Regrettably, this alternative perspective lends a poignant tone to the humor featured in The Big Bang Theory, as it becomes apparent that Mary utilizes it as a shield for her pain.

5 Young Sheldon Explains Mary’s The Big Bang Theory Bitterness

Regarding Mary's cruel remarks, they are connected to another noteworthy aspect of her personality that is discarded in Young Sheldon's depiction of the character. The profound bitterness that Mary possesses is absent in Young Sheldon, but the loss of her husband at a young age could account for the profound change she underwent before The Big Bang Theory. Meemaw's character transformation from Young Sheldon to The Big Bang Theory was even more drastic, indicating that Mary's growing bitterness could partially be attributed to the natural aging process over the years. The inevitable changes in personality that come with aging, along with the revelation that George Sr was not a villain before his demise, make it easier to comprehend Mary's harsher disposition in her older years.

4 Young Sheldon Makes Mary’s Infidelity Jokes Hypocritical

Mary's constant mentions of George Sr's infidelity in The Big Bang Theory may be justified in a future storyline. However, in season 6, her own relationship with Young Sheldon's Pastor Rob raises doubts similar to George Sr's affair with Brenda. Although neither Mary nor Pastor Rob have technically cheated, they have admitted that their extramarital connections felt uncomfortably intimate. This renders Mary's mockery of George Sr's cheating somewhat hypocritical, as she is equally responsible for her actions.

3 Young Sheldon Makes Mary’s Judgment Inconsistent

In season 6 of Young Sheldon, Mary comes to Mandy's aid after she is kicked out by her parents for becoming pregnant with Georgie's baby. However, there is a stark contrast in Mary's attitude towards independent adult women and their choices when it comes to sex and unplanned pregnancies in The Big Bang Theory. This shift in her judgmental behavior is not clearly explained but it intensifies the perception that Mary's character in The Big Bang Theory is less tolerant. Knowing that Mary is capable of being understanding and supportive, these comedic instances feel even more cutting considering her previous compassionate act towards Mandy.

2 Young Sheldon Complicates Mary’s Relationship With Meemaw

In The Big Bang Theory, Meemaw serves as an older, more cantankerous version of Mary. However, in Young Sheldon, Meemaw transforms into a spirited and free-spirited rebel who Mary struggles to rein in. This divergence in Meemaw's character evolution results in a distinct disparity in the dynamics of Mary and Meemaw's relationship between the two shows. In Young Sheldon, Mary oscillates between scolding her mother for her misbehavior and seeking her guidance. In contrast, in The Big Bang Theory, their perspectives align more closely.

1 Young Sheldon Makes Sheldon’s TBBT Closeness With Mary Sadder

Sheldon frequently seeks solace in his mother's embrace despite their conflicting opinions, a recurring theme in The Big Bang Theory. However, in Young Sheldon, it becomes apparent that this is due to her being his sole source of support. Both Mary and Sheldon heavily rely on each other for emotional sustenance throughout his childhood and adolescent years, rendering their strong bond in The Big Bang Theory considerably more poignant when examined retrospectively. The poignant fact that Mary accompanies Sheldon to Germany in the Young Sheldon season 6 finale exemplifies her unwavering preference for him over her other offspring. Consequently, the depiction of the Young Sheldon characters in The Big Bang Theory is tinged with a bittersweet sense of codependence.