While Young Sheldon is a lighthearted family comedy, sometimes it tends to be surprisingly sad, especially as the Coopers go through life’s hardships.
While Young Sheldon tends to keep its tone light, it can get really sad at times as the Coopers go through life’s motions. The Big Bang Theory prequel was initially going to function as Sheldon’s origins story, tackling his childhood in Medford, Texas. Over the years, however, Young Sheldon’s storytelling has begun to evolve, with its narratives becoming more diverse thanks to the increased focus on the rest of the family. So although it continues to have a singular headlining character, Young Sheldon is now more of a family series, which is great for its overall appeal.Thanks to his established character in The Big Bang Theory, it’s tricky to put Sheldon in emotional moments. He’s known for being indifferent to a lot of things and mostly stoic about matters that don’t really matter to him. This is why Young Sheldon leans on the rest of his family to ground with more human interactions. That being said, just because the family series is fronted by a socially inept character, doesn’t mean that it doesn’t know how to do an emotional storyline. Throughout its run, Young Sheldon has had some really sad moments.
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George Admitting That He’s Unhappy
It was heartbreaking for him to list down everything that he gave up for his family only for them to continuously ignore him.
It’s no secret that George and Mary’s relationship has its ups and downs. They have had their fights, but arguably their most intense one was in the Young Sheldon season 4 finale. In it, George tragically admitted that he was so unhappy with his life during his heated argument with Mary. Despite being painted as a bad father in The Big Bang Theory, George is actually a committed family man in Young Sheldon. It was heartbreaking for him to list down everything that he gave up for his family only for them to continuously ignore him.
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Missy Moving Out Of Sheldon’s Room
After Georgie decided to move out of his bedroom in Young Sheldon season 5, Missy took this as an opportunity to have her own space, arguing that she should take over her big brother’s vacated quarters. After checking in with her parents and Sheldon, she got what she wanted. However, while she ended up being content with her new living arrangements, Sheldon was left to realize that he actually preferred sharing the room with her. Seeing him still desolate even as he moved his previous train toys in was a reminder of how important Missy is in his life.
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Paige Cried About Her Parents’ Divorce
When Paige was introduced in Young Sheldon season 2, she was better adjusted than Sheldon. Despite also being a child prodigy, she didn’t let her intellect consume her. This all changed when her parents divorced. Paige’s arc since then has been dissolved. Seeing her rebelling, knowing full well that she is simply trying to cope with her difficult situation is heartbreaking. Her reaching out to Sheldon for help in Young Sheldon season 5 was an indication of just how miserable she has been. It’s uncertain how her story wraps up, but for now, it seems like Paige’s Young Sheldon story isn’t going to get better any time soon.
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Nobody Coming To Sheldon’s Nobel Party
Arguably, it was one of the very few times that he truly showed being distraught.
In an effort to celebrate The Big Bang Theory finale, Young Sheldon season 2 finale saw Sheldon distraught after no one showed up to his Nobel Prize party. Mary offered to join him, but he refused. Once she left, he sat there listening to the announcement of winners and ended up crying about being alone; it was difficult not to feel bad for him. Arguably, it was one of the very few times that he truly showed being distraught. Knowing that he would eventually find his friends in The Big Bang Theory, however, somehow made up for arguably one of the most despondent Sheldon scenes in the series.
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Mary Suffering A Miscarriage
Georgie, Sheldon, and Missy almost had a fourth sibling after Mary found out that she was pregnant in Young Sheldon season 2, episode 17. This caused some issues at first, considering that it would be an additional financial burden on the family. George was able to find a way to increase his salary at Medford Secondary, but just as he was about to deliver the great news to his wife, Mary announced that she already lost the baby.
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Mary Losing Faith In God
Sheldon’s mother’s signature trait is her devotion to her faith. However, this commitment has been shaken a couple of times in The Big Bang Theory prequel. In Young Sheldon season 2, Mary experienced a crisis of faith after the tragic death of a young girl. She couldn’t accept that it was possibly the best for her, especially considering how young she was. She went on rebelling as she tried to make sense of the whole thing. Seeing her get disconnected from the things that she really valued was one of the lowest points in her life.
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Missy Getting Mad At Sheldon
After getting away with her first night away with Pastor Jeff’s niece, Tonya, Missy continued to sneak out past her bedtime to drink and smoke. This was part of her rebelious phase, as she antagonized George and Mary for always overlooking her. The Cooper parents were unaware of this until Sheldon rats her out in Young Sheldon season 6 finale. This makes Missy really mad at her twin despite the fact that Sheldon’s decision to tattle about her shenanigans was rooted in his concern for her. The series played out their conflict with Missy remaining mad at her brother, which is very unusual, considering how understanding she is.
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Sheldon Admitted He Was Wrong About George
Sheldon from the future admitted that he regretted not having honest conversations with George when he was still around
At the end of Young Sheldon season 4, episode 17, Sheldon, George and their dad shared a poignant moment where they agreed that they both had fun that night after Dr. Sturgis’ visit. The scene was actually heartwarming, but adult Sheldon’s narration made it despairing. In the voice-over, Sheldon from the future admits that he regretted not having honest conversations with George when he was still around. He also added that he wished he told him that he both appreciated and loved him.
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Memaw Visited Popop’s Grave
When Young Sheldon started, Sheldon’s maternal grandfather was already gone for a few years. Meemaw never really liked talking about him, choosing to maintain a cheery and sassy disposition. However, in one of the very few instances that she openly dealt with her grief, she visited her late husband’s grave in Young Sheldon season 3, episode 13, as she was starting to get overwhelmed with her increasingly active dating life. Meemaw got candid about living after he passed away, showing some vulnerabilities that fans rarely see in her.
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Meemaw Discovering Dr. Sturgis’ Breakdown
Before Sheldon’s solo Nobel Prize ceremony listening party, Dr. Sturgis went through an existential crisis after realizing that he would never be able to receive the same accolade as his peers. Meemaw rushed to find him on the rooftop, standing on the ledge. It was heartbreaking to see that such a brilliant man was still haunted by the thought of not being good enough.
