Was Young Sheldon Twist a Copout? Big Bang Retcon Divides Viewers
Young Sheldon has flipped the script on a traumatic moment in Big Bang Theory history — and not everyone is happy about it.
Sure, there are some fans who have come to love Sheldon’s dad on the prequel, and are elated with the decision to erase George Sr.’s infidelity from canon in Season 7, Episode 4. Take, for instance, TVLine reader Patrick, who wrote: “The dad is the most likable character in the series. That would have been one of those things that ruined a series forever. It might have even tainted the [Georgie and Mandy] spinoff.”
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But not everyone shares Patrick’s enthusiasm. There were just as many (if not more) negative comments across TVLine’s social channels — including YouTube and TikTok.
For those who were less positive, it wasn’t just that George didn’t cheat on Mary. They’re also upset that specific details that Sheldon once shared with Penny about his childhood trauma were changed, such as Sheldon locking eyes with Dad, and Sheldon scurrying off to his bedroom after shutting the door behind him. What follows are some of the most visceral reactions to the twist…
“I don’t like this explanation. They said that George cheated, so he should. I waited for so long to see his lover. And I saw nothing. I feel betrayed.” – YouTube user @FreesiaFlower79
“Oh god, it’s worse than seeing father’s cheating. I prefer to see father’s cheating instead.” – YouTube user @IAmTheMan1111
“They made that so anticlimactic 😭 Like we made it a big deal and so did Adult Sheldon, only for them to do us dirty 😭” — TikTok user “Friendly Friend”
“It’s an obvious retroactive continuity, like a lot of things Young Sheldon writers did to sanitize George. That talk with Penny was not the only time he references his dad’s infidelity…. There are also the many negative comments Mary makes about her dead husband. Someone doesn’t speak that way about their dead spouse unless there’s a strong reason to resent them.” – YouTube user @Nikki-oe7gr
“So all that for bro not to cheat 💀” – TikTok user “Bros Mad”
“The whole thing was a false alarm!?” – YouTube user @StephenByrne2170
“A big joke on the viewers.” — YouTube user @BobSmith-dk8nw
“I am so, so disappointed in that scene. I was hoping he would find his dad in bed with another woman like it has been suggested all along, even in The Big Bang Theory. Unless they have some more scenes coming up it’s such a disappointment, such a bust.” – YouTube user @Operator954
“This is so cheap. We are not sadists but at least keep up with the Big Bang Theory plot. Not gonna watch this show anymore.” – YouTube user @Sasmit.9846
“I don’t know how I feel about the end. The fans have been waiting for that moment for so long and it turns out to be a big misunderstanding. The reveal seems cheap to me.” – YouTube user @516TigerGirl
“After all this time, it was all based on a lie.” – YouTube user @JakeKong8489
“This is so cheap. We are not sadists but at least keep up with the Big Bang Theory plot. Not gonna watch this show anymore.” – YouTube user @Sasmit.9846
“There is a difference between not reading social cues and locking eyes with his dad, and running to your room and running to the front door. Also, how could he mistake summer and spring break? Not to mention age 13 and age 15.” – TVLine reader “Don111”
“I’m kind of sad because this would be such a great story and also it was the summer.” – YouTube user @MasonAlexander4624
“It just seems like the writers didn’t have the guts to actually go through with what Sheldon thought he saw. So it kinda diminishes the importance of that talk he has with Penny in The Big Bang Theory.” – TikTok user “SlinkyDogg”
“WE GOT ROBBED DAWG” – TikTok user “Starlett”
Young Sheldon’s Georgie and Mandy Spinoff: Everything We Know
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