Leonard’s death is undoubtedly sad, but it’s so much better than accepting Young Sheldon‘s worst The Big Bang Theory disrespect. The Young Sheldon finale dropped clues that Sheldon’s best friend may have already passed away in a post-The Big Bang Theory world. Admittedly, even just considering the idea is despairing, given how tight-knit the Pasadena gang is, not to mention that he left Penny and their child. That said, there’s no denying that the clues were there, and cannot be ignored. Looking at it from Young Sheldon‘s lens, however, Leonard being dead has a silver lining.
While Young Sheldon started as a supplementary viewing for those who want to know more about the universe that The Big Bang Theory existed in, it gradually grew out of its parent show’s shadows. Instead of being only about Sheldon, it transformed into a true family comedy that gave the rest of the Coopers their respective storylines. It had always played fast and loose with the established canon, but occasionally, it would stage fun tributes to the nerd-centric sitcom via voice cameos from Amy and Howard. Unfortunately, it forgot to acknowledge the most important part of The Big Bang Theory.
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Sheldon Never Mentioned Leonard In His Young Sheldon Memoir
Howard Got An Invite To Participate But Sheldon Never Even Referenced Leonard
If the Young Sheldon finale’s clues about Leonard being dead end up coming to fruition, then it would effectively explain the prequel’s biggest disrespect to its parent series. Throughout the spinoff’s run, Jim Parsons’ adult Sheldon narrated the events of his childhood. In the flashforward scene with Amy, it was confirmed that he has been working on his memoir, hence why he has been looking back at this point in his life. The problem is, that Sheldon never mentioned Leonard once during this project, which is such a travesty, considering how much Penny’s husband did for his best friend.
Leonard’s Death Would Explain Why Sheldon Never Talked About Him In Young Sheldon
Sheldon Has Always Struggled Dealing With Grief
Assuming that Leonard is dead, then that would explain why Sheldon never discussed their friendship or even mentioned him in his memoir. It was established both in The Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon that the socially-inept genius has always had a difficult time dealing with big emotions. This was illustrated when Arthur Jeffries/Professor Proton died and more recently, when George passed away in Young Sheldon. If Sheldon took decades to truly face the truth about losing his father, then it isn’t outside the realm of possibility that he’s still in denial of Leonard’s possible demise.
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In some ways, Leonard was more instrumental in Sheldon’s life than George was. This doesn’t mean that his father’s love didn’t contribute to his life, but even he admitted that his dad had a difficult time connecting with him (his whole family did). Meanwhile, Leonard was Sheldon’s true soulmate. His life changed for the better when they became roommates because his best friend provided him with the social group that became his solid support system in Pasadena. Given all these, Leonard’s death is at least an excuse for Sheldon’s ignorance of his best friend in Young Sheldon.
Young Sheldon
*Availability in US
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A spinoff of the sitcom The Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon follows the youth and coming-of-age of Sheldon Cooper during his childhood in Texas as he pursues science and academia. The show also follows his parents, siblings, and Mee-Maw, painting a picture of the world where Sheldon grew up.
- Cast
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Iain Armitage
, Zoe Perry
, Lance Barber
, Montana Jordan
, Raegan Revord
, Annie Potts
, Jim Parsons
, Wallace Shawn
, Craig T. Nelson
, Matt Hobby
, Wyatt McClure
, Emily Osment
, Doc Farrow
, Ed Begley Jr.
, Melissa Peterman
, Ryan Phuong
, Rex Linn
, Brian Stepanek
, Wendie Malick
, Nancy Linehan Charles
, Danielle Pinnock
, Valerie Mahaffey
, Sarah Baker
, Rachel Bay Jones
, Will Sasso
, Mckenna Grace
, Ava Allan
, Isabel May
, Grady Lee Richmond
, Dan Byrd
, Katherine Von Till
, Reba McEntire
, Andrea Anders
, Mary Grill
, Jason Alexander
, Billy Gardell
, Nick Alvarez
, London Cheshire
, Julia Pace Mitchell
, Bill Fagerbakke
, Taylor Spreitler
, Steve Burns
, Pam Cook
, Chris Wylde
, Richard Kind
, Caleigh Kilpatrick
, Dave Foley
, John Hartman - Release Date
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September 25, 2017
- Seasons
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6
- Network
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CBS
The Big Bang Theory
*Availability in US
- stream
- rent
- buy
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The Big Bang Theory first premiered on CBS in 2007 and became one of its era’s most popular and longest-lasting network sitcoms. Running for 12 seasons, The Big Bang Theory focuses on a group of self-proclaimed nerds, Leonard (Johnny Galecki), Sheldon (Jim Parsons), Howard (Simon Helberg), and Raj (Kunal Nayyar), who form an unlikely friendship with their new neighbor Penny (Kaley Cuoco). The series became a ratings giant and took home multiple Emmys. The Big Bang Theory was so successful that it ended up spawning a spinoff titled Young Sheldon, which has also become one of CBS’ most popular sitcoms.
- Cast
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Kaley Cuoco
, Johnny Galecki
, Jim Parsons
, Melissa Rauch
, Mayim Bialik
, Kunal Nayyar
, Simon Helberg - Release Date
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September 24, 2007
- Seasons
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12
- Network
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CBS
