Summary
George died towards the end ofYoung Sheldon, but despite that, he can still return inGeorgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, andThe Big Bang Theoryshowed how. Long before Lance Barber debutedthe Cooper familypatriarch in the prequel, his destiny was already established in the nerd-centric sitcom. Sheldon’s dad was going to die around the time that he started post-graduate studies at Caltech. The lack of detail about how he exactly passed away helpedYoung Sheldonset up a still devastating loss in the recently-ended family comedy, although the tragedy had long been expected.
Perhaps it was the wayYoung Sheldonrehabilitated George’s image and how Barber played him, but although the incident was a long time coming, it was still heartbreaking. The fallout fromGeorge’s unexpected deathdominated the prequel’s final two episodes, which included his emotional funeral service. Losing the family patriarch, especially just when things were starting to turn for the Coopers, was difficult for Mary and the kids. However, life goes on in the universe, withGeorgie & Mandy’s First MarriagekeepingThe Big Bang Theoryfranchise alive. Despite George’s fate, there’s still a way for Barber to return.
Missy’s New Post-Young Sheldon Fate Proves That Canceling The Big Bang Theory Prequel Was A Mistake
CBS is changing Missy’s future after Young Sheldon, and it’s proof that pulling the plug on the beloved family comedy was the wrong move.
Although George’s death was long-established, there was still some glimmer of hope thatYoung Sheldonwould keep him alive and give the family a happy send-off. His fate was long sealed inThe Big Bang Theory, but as avid viewers of the family dramedy know, it wasn’t the best when upholding the established canon. Throughout its run,Young Sheldoncreated all kinds of plot inconsistencies with varying degrees of importance. Having precedent kept the door open that Chuck Lorre and his team could once again deviate from continuity to prioritize the ongoing series' own storytelling.
Even Lorre admitted that he had regrets about their decision to kill George almost 20 years ago inThe Big Bang Theory, which was a testament to how much the prequel did a great job of endearing George to the audience.
Young Sheldonretconning George’s cheating scandalin season 7 added fire to speculation that he would live. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. The writers opted to stay true to Sheldon’s story about his dad while he was an adolescent. Even Lorre admitted that he had regrets about their decision to kill George almost 20 years ago inThe Big Bang Theory, which was a testament to how much the prequel did a great job of endearing George to the audience. Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough for them to change his fate.
In any case, George’s demise led to some of the franchise’s best episodes, including his funeral outing. It was a masterclass in balancing comedy and drama, which was howYoung Sheldonseparated itself from its parent series. If anything, the consolation was that the prequel did such a great job executing a dark and emotional storyline.
The Big Bang Theory’s Professor Proton Established How George Can Be In Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage
Georgie Can Have Visions Of George, Just Like Sheldon Did With Professor Proton
George’s death and Sheldon’s move to Pasadena, California to begin his post-graduate studies at Caltech spelled theYoung Sheldonfinale. However, while Iain Armitage can still return as the boy genius inGeorgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, his on-screen father’s demise makes it tricky for Barber to reprise his beloved role. Admittedly, it’s possible that Lorre could cast the actor in another role. If they go down this narrative route, it wouldn’t be the first time for the actor to play a different role. Previously, he playedJimmy Speckerman, Leonard’s high school bully inThe Big Bang Theoryseason 5.
Georgie & Mandy’s Sequel Fully Shows Why Mary Was Worse In Big Bang Theory Than In Young Sheldon
The events of Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage will effectively explain why Mary was so much worse in The Big Bang Theory after Young Sheldon.
It would be odd, however, to see Barber play a different character other than George after Young Sheldon. Luckily, Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage can look up to The Big Bang Theory to bring back Sheldon’s dad. In one of the more emotional plots in the nerd-centric sitcom, Sheldon dealt with the death of his childhood hero, Arthur Jeffries aka Professor Proton. Like George’s actor, however, Bob Newhart remained available to reprise the role even after his on-screen demise.Newhart continued to appear as the Jedi Master in Sheldon’s dreams, allowingThe Big Bang Theoryto continue their relationship.
George can return via Georgie’s vision, who has vowed to take care of Mary and Missy after his father’s death.
Inspired by this,Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriagecan use the same scheme for Barber. George can return via Georgie’s vision, who has vowed to take care of Mary and Missy after his father’s death. The Cooper firstborn himself promised his dad this during George’s funeral, and based on his appearance inThe Big Bang Theory, he stayed true to his word. This could be how George’s father could guide him through this difficult period. George can also be featured in Baby Cece’s dreams, which would put a fresh spin on the possibility first established inThe Big Bang Theory.
Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage’s Format Makes George’s Post-Death Return Possible
Like The Big Bang Theory, Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage Is A Multi-Cam Sitcom
Young Sheldonhad some mystical arcs, such as the appearance of Pimple and Pus. For the most part, however, its storytelling was mostly grounded, which worked well in its family comedy-drama approach. Meanwhile,The Big Bang Theoryhad more fantastical elements, which were partly motivated by its core characters being big fans of nerdy topics. Its more lighthearted narrative that came with its multi-cam set-up also played in the matter — something thatGeorgie & Mandy’s First Marriagecan follow, considering that it has the same format.
To separate itself fromYoung Sheldon,Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriagewill be a multi-cam sitcom, like Lorre and Bill Prady’s original series. This makes it easier to be more creative with its storytelling, hence paving the way for the proposed George appearance. Newhart’s post-Arthur Jeffries death appearance inThe Big Bang Theoryis a great blueprint for all the narratives that they can do with Barber’s potential comeback as George.
Georgie & Mandy’s Sequel Story Update Confirms The Couple’s Post-Young Sheldon Villain
Ahead of its premiere, Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage officially confirms who the primary antagonist is in the upcoming Young Sheldon sequel.
Should Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage Bring BacK George After Young Sheldon
Barber Is Beloved As George, So Why Not?
Just because they can, doesn’t always mean that they should, however. Sometimes, it’s best to move forward for sequels and not look back. This way, they can establish themselves separately from their parent series. This was whatYoung Sheldondid during its middle seasons, hence why it got its own identity not tied toThe Big Bang Theory. While it was the franchise canon that forced its end, it’s safe to say that it’s now better known for the Coopers rather than being just a prequel.
That being said, itshouldn’t hurtGeorgie & Mandy’s First Marriageto bring back Barber as Georgie. If anything, it may even help the project establish itself asYoung Sheldon’s sequel. The new show already brings back Mary and Meemaw, at least in the first episode. That said,Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriagerecently expanded Missy’s role—an indication that it wants to take advantage of its connection to its parent series. Sheldon will inevitably find himself back on the show when he returns to Texas, but while that needs careful set-up, George’s vision appearance can happen anytime.
Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage
Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage follows the couple as they navigate the complexities of adulthood, parenting, and marriage while raising their young family in Texas.
Young Sheldon
Cast
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.
The Big Bang Theory
The Big Bang Theory: This sitcom follows a group of socially awkward scientists and their interactions with each other and the people around them. Centered on physicists Sheldon and Leonard, the series humorously explores friendship, romance, and the quirks of life among an eclectic group of academics.
