Tear-Jerking TBBT Theory Reveals Why Sheldon's Dad Is So Different in Young Sheldon
George Cooper is a complicated man – much more complicated than The Big Bang Theory originally made him out to be. What if we told you there was a perfectly good explanation for that?
In The Big Bang Theory, adult Sheldon describes his dad as a violent drunk who didn't really care about him, and that is the picture we are left with until the beginning of Young Sheldon, where we see a completely different George.
There, he is just a guy who likes an occasional beer or two but genuinely loves his wife and kids. Is this a plothole or not?
Fans have come up with a new theory that actually makes a lot of sense. During the events of The Big Bang Theory, Sheldon is still emotionally immature, so he doesn't really know how to process his father's death properly.
He was 14 when George died, he had just moved to California to study at CalTech, and it was the first time he was truly on his own.
Bear in mind, even though Sheldon is a genius, he was still a child at the age of 14, and kids make up stories to help them get through difficult situations.
Fans believe that Sheldon exaggerated his father's wrongdoings in his mind because it was essentially an easier way to deal with his loss.
In Young Sheldon, adult Sheldon who narrates the stories of his childhood has finally grown up, and he now understands his dad on a deeper level.
As Sheldon becomes a father himself, he begins to regret not talking to his dad more and mentally forgives him for whatever he did wrong.
Lance Barber who plays George in Young Sheldon seems to agree with this theory.
In The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series, Jessica Radloff (the author) asks him for a comment, and he talks about "the challenge of trying to address the memories of Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory" and essentially making the character "sympathetic."
The actor says that Sheldon does what we all do "when we become adults and see our parents as human beings for the first time."
This fits in perfectly with the fan theory and explains why George is so different on the two shows.
We may be in for a bucket of tears when Young Sheldon finally covers George's passing. Well, at least now we have an idea of what is to come and why Sheldon remembers these events in a twisted fashion…