The Big Bang Theory, has proven that the Cooper family is better than many initially thought. The prequel spinoff follows the young genius as he navigates the average trials of growing up through the eyes of being a gifted child. Along the way, the series has also explored his family dynamics and how they helped shape Sheldon into the man first seen in TBBT.
From setting up the origins of Mary's TBBT lies to learning that maybe George Senior wasn't too awful of a father after all, the prequel has dived deep into the character development of Sheldon's family that didn't get much air time on TBBT. While still keeping the characters complex and real, Young Sheldon has painted a complete picture of what it was truly like for Sheldon growing up in Texas. In many ways, the Coopers in the prequel have proven to be a more wholesome family than how TBBT portrayed them.
Sheldon's Dad Is Far Nicer Than TBBT's George References
In Young Sheldon, audiences were first introduced to George Senior due to his death that occurred before the events of TBBT. In TBBT, George was not spoken highly of by Sheldon or any of his family , making it seem like he was an absent father who didn't care. However, that could not be further from the truth, as he does care deeply about his family and works hard to provide for them. TBBT characters are also viewing George after his cheating scandal, though, so he may have a significant character shift that is yet to come.
Sheldon Is Nicer In Young Sheldon
Sheldon himself is far different in Young Sheldon as TBBT Sheldon is far worse than his younger counterpart. While TBBT's older Sheldon is insensitive to others' feelings and, at times, very selfish, the prequel takes those characteristics and softens them. It helps to see Sheldon struggle to understand social norms and do his best to fit in while staying true to himself, a universal theme many can relate to. He has a lot of comion for others but struggles with expressing or showing it.
Meemaw Seems Far More Caring In Young Sheldon
Meemaw is a feisty character in Young Sheldon, a firecracker of a grandma who plays by her own rules. This Meemaw twist has been surprising, as she was essentially just like Mary Cooper in TBBT, with a strict demeanor and religious piety. However, it is refreshing to see her softer side in Young Sheldon. She cares about her grandchildren and Mary immensely, and George Sr, too, although she rarely its it. Seeing her jump through hoops to stand up for them in times of need speaks to the kind of person Meemaw is under her rougher exterior.
Mary Cooper Uses Fewer Insults In Young Sheldon
TBBT depicted Mary Cooper in a far less flattering light than the younger version of herself seen in Young Sheldon. While TBBT has Mary Cooper flinging hilarious religion-based insults frequently, Young Sheldon revealed that she was not like that as he grew up. Mary was one of the least likely to insult another person, at least in a harsh way, using "darn tootin'" to insult Brenda Sparks in an early episode. However, getting kicked out of the church after Georgie/Mandy's pregnancy and their subsequent break-up may contribute to her attitude in TBBT.
Sheldon & Missy Are Closer In Young Sheldon
The dynamic between the twins has been a real treat to see in Young Sheldon. Although TBBT reveals that they didn't maintain their close relationship into adulthood, it is nice to know that Sheldon had someone to lean on in his early years. He was distraught when they finally stopped sharing a room and frequently asked Missy for advice, such as what to do about bullies or even which bow tie to wear on his first day of college, highlighting that Missy is the smartest Cooper kid in many ways.
Meanwhile, Missy was crushed when Sheldon was going to move away to attend a private school early in Season 1, reacting with glee when she woke up to find him back in the bed opposite hers. Sheldon's sibling relationships weren't fully explored in TBBT but seeing him with Missy confirms that he had a great relationship with her. It's sweet because it isn't perfect, but it depicts a true sibling dynamic.
Georgie Is Still Close With His Family
Although Young Sheldon has hinted at Georgie pulling away from his family, it is nice to see him having the of his family. Even the most recent scandal, with him getting stopped at the border with Meemaw for trying to smuggle cigarettes, led to a closer relationship between him and George Sr. He also has a closer relationship with Sheldon, something not explored in TBBT as Georgie had a grudge against Sheldon. The Coopers are ive of him and Mandy, despite the struggles and judgment it brought on their family, and it shows just how close-knit they are when push comes to shove.
Young Sheldon Hints At Missy's Happy Ending
In TBBT, Missy doesn't seem like she has a happy life or much luck regarding romantic pursuits. Thankfully, adult Sheldon's voice-over hints at her happy ending by mentioning that she does have a seemingly happy third marriage, which isn't mentioned in TBBT. It's good to know that Missy gets her happy ending after all since getting to know her character in Young Sheldon proves that she has been underutilized from the start and deserves to be happy.
Young Sheldon's Cooper Family Do More Together
Continuing the theme of a close-knit family, the Coopers in Young Sheldon spend more time together than in TBBT. While that is to be expected, given the nature of the adult kids having their own lives and families, it is still nice to see. From carnivals to weekly church services to road trips, seeing the Coopers spend time together as a family is sweet.
Young Sheldon's Tone Makes A TBBT Cooper Family Impossible
Young Sheldon and The Big Bang Theory are both sitcoms but have very different tones and situations. Young Sheldon has a more whimsical style, especially in the early seasons, as it is told through the eyes of a child. Even now, as Sheldon grows up and heavier themes are introduced, it still maintains much of the child-like naive nature that makes it special, which means that Young Sheldon is still a fun escape. The heavier family dynamics of the Cooper clan discussed in TBBT would have made Young Sheldon impossible.
The Big Bang Theory's Coopers Aren't Awful (But Young Sheldon's Are Better)
The Coopers in TBBT aren't awful by any means; after all, the interest in Sheldon and the family sparked interest in Young Sheldon's creation to begin with. The Coopers have been through a lot, with George Sr's cheating scandal and death in particular, Mary losing the church she had roots with, Missy's own hardships in settling down, and Georgie's coming baby. But unfortunately, TBBT shows that at some point, they lost the ability to pull together as a family through thick and thin, which is depicted often in Young Sheldon.
The Coopers in Young Sheldon may be depicted through rose-colored glasses, as Sheldon is the narrator and re much of his childhood fondly. But regardless, the family dynamic in the spinoff has provided a fuller picture of the Coopers that is better than the one-sided version often seen in The Big Bang Theory. Seeing that Sheldon was never truly on his own before meeting the California gang has been wonderful.
