For fans of The Big Bang Theory, there’s no argument that the show’s most beloved character is the socially-inept theoretical physicist Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons). So, when CBS announced the arrival of Young Sheldon, a prequel spin-off to The Big Bang Theory, viewers were readily receptive to the backstory of the iconic character. Narrated by an older Sheldon (Jim Parsons), the series follows Sheldon (Iain Armitage) through his early admission into high school and college, battling his overt confidence as a child prodigy and unique personality in a world beyond his understanding.
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Also in the spotlight is the rest of the Coopers: matriarch (and overly-protective) Mary (Zoe Perry), father and football coach George (Lance Barber), older brother Georgie (Montana Jordan), Sheldon’s twin sister Missy (Raegan Revord), and aloof grandmother Meemaw (Annie Potts). While it may have all started with a big bang, spanning six seasons, Young Sheldon highlights pivotal moments from the Cooper family, and according to IMDb, these are the 10 best episodes.
The following article has spoilers for Young Sheldon
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10 "A Solo Peanut, a Social Butterfly and the Truth" — Season 5, Episode 17
IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
In “A Solo Peanut, a Social Butterfly and the Truth," the series showed its ability to touch on the characters' darker side and the problems they face outside their zany family dynamic. Sheldon, while waiting in line for a science lecture, is reunited with Paige (McKenna Grace), who, throughout the episode, confides in Sheldon that College life isn’t treating her well as an outcast — being too young and too mature for the other students.
Meemaw and Mary disagree over Missy’s ability to learn about men, leading the women to go out drinking together. Meanwhile, Georgie helps Mandy move into her apartment but ends up heartbroken when she dumps him after discovering he lied about his real age. The episode ends on a cliffhanger when Mandy admits to Georgie that she is pregnant.
9 "Pasadena" — Season 3, Episode 16
IMDb Score: 8.0/10
In Season 3, the episode “Pasadena” allows audiences to see how each of the three Cooper children matures. A glimpse into The Big Bang Theory universe, Sheldon and George travel to CalTech for the first time, where Sheldon attends a lecture by Stephen Hawking.
After seeing Sheldon pressure his parents into getting his own way, Missy expresses her disdain to Meemaw and attempts to ask for "grown up" things like an ear-piercing or cigarettes. Mary becomes obsessed with Georgie and his new girlfriend, scared that if they meet alone, he will become a teenage father out of wedlock.
8 "Pongo Pygmaeus and a Culture That Encourages Spitting" — Season 3, Episode 7
IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
After convincing George to buy him a modem, Sheldon pushes his way into staying challenged academically by starting an internet war over a theory, consuming his every thought. On the other hand, Missy ventures out into new territory, where she joins the baseball team.
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She enjoys the game and takes lightly the taunts of the boys on the team — but when her friends at school tease her and refuse to sit with her, Missy realizes that she must fight back to stand up for herself in the same way Sheldon does.
7 "An 8-Bit Princess and a Flat Tire Genius" — Season 2, Episode 8
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
After the disdain of receiving a video game from Meemaw, Sheldon decides to give it a try, only for the pair of them to become addicted to it - even making agreements about their roles and, most importantly, to only play together. Elsewhere, pulling up to Herschel’s (Billy Gardell) auto shop, George and Georgie have two differing opinions about what’s wrong with the truck.
Surprisingly, Georgie’s theory about a bust radiator is right, and he is offered a part-time job at the shop. Singing praises about Herschel, George begins to feel jealous and upset over Georgie’s lack of commitment to football, only to realize his full potential after watching him work. Fans of The Big Bang Theory can pinpoint this episode as a moment that defines Sheldon’s first interaction as a gamer and Georgie’s future as an owner of a tire chain years later.
6 "Teen Angst and a Smart-Boy Walk of Shame" — Season 6, Episode 5
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
The Cooper family is about to explode, with a tense episode keeping viewers on their toes. For Sheldon, his mind is focused on the failure of his database, while Missy acts up as if she feels like the forgotten child in the family.
Meanwhile, Mary currently lives with Connie, and George refuses to answer his children as to why, building up more friction in the house as rumors swell that he is having an affair with neighbor Brenda. Meanwhile, Georgie and Mandy bring CeeCee home and struggle to adapt to life as young parents.
5 "A Launch Party and a Whole Human Being" — Season 6, Episode 14
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Season 6 has blessed viewers with simmering tension: between the impending birth of Mandy and Georgie’s baby and the emotional cheating by both George and Mary, both coming to a head in one drama-filled episode.
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In labor and unable to contact anyone, Mandy gets Sheldon and Brenda (Melissa Peterman) to take her to the hospital, where George and Brenda are deep in conversation. Interrupted by the news of the birth during lunch, Mary and Pastor Rob (Dan Byrd) arrive at the hospital together, and accusations of cheating start.
4 "A God-Fearin' Baptist and a Hot Trophy Wife" — Season 5, Episode 19
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Everyone loves a good secret that is just waiting to be found out; Georgie and his parents are the highlights of the storyline in this episode. After George and Mary learn of Mandy’s pregnancy, the young couple faces the awkward expectations imposed by Mary — to wed before the baby is born to avoid living in sin.
While Mandy is uncomfortable with this idea, Mary is hell-bent on it happening, causing friction between the four. Suspicious of a family secret, Missy confides in Sheldon, who is oblivious to the obvious tension. Sending the twins away for dinner, Mary and George decide to invite Mandy over to re-evaluate the situation, which again spirals into an argument about marriage and religion. Determined to understand what is happening, Missy overhears her parents talking about a baby, and together they conclude that Mary is pregnant.
3 "A Secret Letter and a Lowly Disc of Processed Meat" — Season 3, Episode 21
IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
In the Season 3 finale, drama unfolds as Sheldon accidentally stumbled upon a letter of acceptance into CalTech, hidden in Mary’s drawer. When confronting Mary, she believes that it should’ve never been a discussion given the move he would have to do, and so an angered Sheldon heads to the town bar to talk to George.
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Also unaware of the letter, George confronts Mary, who admits that many other schools also sent letters of interest, and Missy blames Sheldon for their parent's fighting. George and Sheldon embark on a quest to create a video to convince Mary why he should go to a local college at an early age, with many of his teachers vouching for him. She agrees, and the family reconcile. Meanwhile, as revenge for firing Georgie, Meemaw takes her grandson to egg the house of ex-boyfriend Dale (Craig T. Nelson).
2 "A Swedish Science Thing and the Equation For Toast" — Season 2, Episode 22
IMDb Rating: 8.6/10
Upon the soon-to-be-announced winners of the Nobel Prize, Sheldon and Dr. Sturgis (Wallace Shawn) plan to broadcast it live at 5 a.m. Inviting the entire school to come to watch, Sheldon eagerly buys breakfast foods but finds himself alone when not even his best friend, Tam (Ryan Phuong), shows up.
Dr. Sturgis also leaves him high and dry, succumbing to stress when he realizes he may never win a Nobel Prize for himself. Showing a softer side to the confident character, Sheldon cries about the Nobel Prize winners and the lack of support surrounding him. The episode ends with a montage of the young main cast of The Big Bang Theory, with adult Sheldon reflecting that he won’t be alone forever, a sentiment relevant across TBBT seasons.
1 "A Tornado, a 10-Hour Flight and a Darn Fine Ring" — Season 6, Episode 22
IMDb Rating: 8.5./10
This episode largely removes Mary and Sheldon from the action as they embark on their 10-hour journey to Germany, while the rest of the family hit crisis mode when a tornado rips through Medford. George and Missy become trapped together on the side of the road, where, fearing death, Missy apologizes for her behavior.
Connie, Pastor Jeff (Matt Hobby), and Dale hide away in the laundromat’s secret gambling room, where they pray for their safety, but unfortunately, Connie’s house becomes desolate in the tornado. On a trip to the McAllister household to share news of their engagement, Mandy and Georgie are forced to be locked into a tense atmosphere when arguments about the wedding and pregnancy continue, with the couple forced to stay in the house until the tornado passes. Commended for its ability to showcase true dangers in a tornado and its heartfelt connections between characters, the episode is a fan-favorite.
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FAQs
The 10 Best Episodes of 'Young Sheldon', According to IMDb? ›
Young Sheldon:
He has a genius-level IQ of 187. (In The Big Bang Theory, it is said that his and Leonard's IQs add up to 360, and Leonard says his is 173. In Young Sheldon, his mother says that he has the same IQ as Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking, though neither is known to have taken an IQ test.)
- 1 "A Tornado, a 10-Hour Flight and a Darn Fine Ring" — Season 6, Episode 22.
- 2 "A Swedish Science Thing and the Equation For Toast" — Season 2, Episode 22. ...
- 3 "A Secret Letter and a Lowly Disc of Processed Meat" — Season 3, Episode 21. ...
Young Sheldon:
He has a genius-level IQ of 187. (In The Big Bang Theory, it is said that his and Leonard's IQs add up to 360, and Leonard says his is 173. In Young Sheldon, his mother says that he has the same IQ as Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking, though neither is known to have taken an IQ test.)
It is rated PG, but should be TV-14
My 11 year old was watching this PG rated show and I really think it needs a TV-14 rating. The last few episodes were about Sheldon not wanting his grandmother to date a certain man and to date another one. There was continual discussion of "coitus" (his words) throughout.
Exceptional but misunderstood 9-year-old Sheldon Cooper skips four grades to enter high school.
What is the funniest episode of Sheldon? ›#1: “The Bath Item Gift Hypothesis”
But in the end, the napkin scene, the multiple gift baskets and the rarely-seen Sheldon hug is a Saturnalia miracle that gets us right in the heart, and the funny bone, every single time.
Like, is Elon Musk a genius? It answered, Elon Musk's IQ is reported to be 155, which is very high compared to the average of 100.
What is Dr Sturgis IQ? ›Trivia. Dr. Sturgis possesses an I.Q. of 162, has 221 papers published and can speak Mandarin (Young Sheldon S5E14, A Free Scratcher and Feminine Wiles).
Who has the highest IQ ever? ›Marilyn vos Savant: 228
Born in 1946 in St. Louis, Missouri, Savant was listed as the person with the highest IQ by Guinness World Records.
Sheldon Cooper has long been speculated to have autism. However, according to the producers of The Big Bang Theory, Sheldon Cooper isn't actually autistic.
Do Georgie and Mandy get married? ›
Georgie & Mandy's Marriage Will Unfortunately Not Last
But, unfortunately, their romance isn't set to last. As also revealed in The Big Bang Theory, Georgie has several failed marriages. This means that he and Mandy will eventually split up sometime in the future.
Because of The Big Bang Theory, fans of the series know that Sheldon's dad dies when he is 14, about a year after Sheldon discovers his father having an affair. Season 7 seems the most likely point for George's death.
How old is meemaw? ›Meemaw was born in 1923, giving her a 99-year-old age, and making her older than Professor Proton.
How old is Mary Cooper? ›Mary Cooper is Sheldon's mother, who does her very best to raise such a precocious child. She is often at a loss about what to do with him, but it is clear in every episode that she adores her son very much. Mary is 39 years old in Young Sheldon season 1 and 43 in season 6.
Is Sheldon Smarter Than Missy? ›Sadly, Missy has been overlooked by her parents because she isn't as intellectually gifted as Sheldon and doesn't have the entrepreneurial skills that Georgie has. However, Young Sheldon just included a reminder that Missy is really the smartest out of Mary and George's kids.
Who has a crush on Sheldon? ›Despite being rejected and being absent for seven seasons, Ramona still has an interest in Sheldon.
What is Zuckerberg IQ? ›Mark Zuckerberg: The co-founder of Facebook, Zuckerberg has an IQ estimated to be around 152. Elon Musk: The founder of SpaceX, Tesla, Neuralink, and other companies, Musk has an IQ estimated to be around 155. Larry Page: The co-founder of Google, Page has an IQ estimated to be around 160.
Who has a IQ of 400? ›Marilyn vos Savant (/ˌvɒs səˈvɑːnt/; born Marilyn Mach; August 11, 1946) is an American magazine columnist who has the highest recorded intelligence quotient (IQ) in the Guinness Book of Records, a competitive category the publication has since retired.
What is Penny's IQ? ›Penny, based on her behavior, is probaby of average intelligence, which would put her around 100. But she has street smarts, which none of the rest of the gang have.
Who was smarter than Sheldon? ›Barry Kripke Gave Sheldon A Run For His Money
Viewers first catch a glimpse of Kripke in season two when he challenges Sheldon and co., in a robot battle. Kripke's robot was far better than Sheldon's but this wasn't the first time that he was superior to Sheldon's intelligence.
What is Leonard Hofstadter's IQ? ›
Leonard has an IQ of 173, and was 24 years old when he received his PhD from Princeton University. Leonard also received a dissertation of the year award for his doctoral paper on experimental particle physics.
What is a normal IQ? ›In general, an IQ score is defined with a median and mean of 100. Scores above 130 are labeled as above average or “very superior,” while scores under 70 would be considered below average or labeled as “borderline impaired.” Most people have an average IQ between 85 and 115.
What is the IQ of a normal person? ›IQ tests are made to have an average score of 100. Psychologists revise the test every few years in order to maintain 100 as the average. Most people (about 68 percent) have an IQ between 85 and 115. Only a small fraction of people have a very low IQ (below 70) or a very high IQ (above 130).
What was Stephen Hawking's IQ? ›Professor Hawking, the theoretical physicist known for his work on black holes, is said to have had an IQ of 160.
Is Sheldon Cooper asexual? ›Sheldon's asexuality is a major part of his characterization because among his eccentricities such as not understanding common social cues or making a certain spot on the couch be his designated “space,” he was consistently romantically uninterested in women and was repulsed by the idea and act of sex.
What is Sheldon's diagnosis? ›The character, Sheldon Cooper, from The Big Bang Theory meets criteria in the DSM-IV for Asperger's Disorder.
Does Jim Parsons have a high IQ? ›IQ Score: 187
Jim Parsons' Sheldon is one of the few characters whose IQ is directly stated on the show.
Georgie Cooper is officially a dad! During Thursday's Young Sheldon, Mandy gave birth to their daughter — a precious “niblingo” by the name of Constance.
Who did Missy Cooper marry? ›George Cooper Sr. This unnamed man is the first ex-husband of Missy Cooper, the father of her son and her second child, the ex-brother-in-law of Sheldon Cooper and George Cooper Jr., and the ex-son-in-law of Mary Cooper.
Do Sheldon's parents get divorced? ›Amy meant something happier. (SHELDON: I suppose we could try to make it a celebration, but he died so young.) Howard and Bernadette came to Raj's office to comfort him because he found out his parents did get a divorce.
Who does George cheat on Mary with? ›
Spoilers ahead for Young Sheldon season 6, episode 14. Young Sheldon willingly ruins Mary in order to justify George's cheating ways with Brenda as in season 6 the long-simmering marital issue between the Cooper parents finally reaches its boiling point.
How old is Sheldon when his dad cheated? ›The episode also acknowledged that Missy is now 13 years old — which, according to Big Bang, is the age where Sheldon walks in on his father having sex with another woman. “I was 13 years old, and on spring break from college,” Sheldon told Penny during Season 10 of the mothership.
What happened to Sheldon's brother Georgie? ›According to Sheldon, George died when he was just 14 years old, pre-determining the character's fate on Young Sheldon.
Who does Connie Tucker end up with? ›Connie Tucker, aka Meemaw, is the sarcastic matriarch of the family. She is played by actress Annie Potts who has been married four times. With her third husband, Scott Senechal, she has one son named Clay. She is now married to Ugly Betty producer James Hayman in 1990 with whom she has two sons.
What is Meemaw short for? ›Meemaw or Maw-maw, an affectionate term for a grandmother.
What happened to Sheldon's mom? ›After she was fired from the church, she was forced to find another job. This effectively separated her from Pastor Rob, although it allowed her to rekindle her relationship with George.
Do George and Mary divorce? ›Young Sheldon Finally Reveals Why George and Mary Never Divorced. Young Sheldon is building to George's affair, but he and Mary will never divorce. While that seems odd, they had a good reason for staying together.
Are Missy and Georgie actually related? ›Raegan Revord as Melissa "Missy" Cooper, Georgie's younger sister and Sheldon's younger twin sister.
Are Sheldon's mom related? ›The link between Sheldon's mother Mary Cooper
Zoe Perry is Laurie Metcalf's real-life daughter. That's one way to ensure a family resemblance.
IQ Score: 180
Though Amy's IQ is never explicitly stated in the show, it is possible to assume that she is one of the group's more brilliant members.
Is an IQ of 187 good? ›
130 to 144: Moderately gifted. 145 to 159: Highly gifted. 160 to 179: Exceptionally gifted. 180 and up: Profoundly gifted.
What's Albert Einstein's IQ? ›His performance beats those of physicists Stephen Hawking and Albert Einstein, who were both estimated to have IQs around 160.
How high is a genius IQ? ›Notably, the average IQ score falls between 85 and 115. A score above 140, meanwhile, is considered to be genius level.
Who is the girl smarter than Sheldon? ›Paige first appeared in "A Rival Prodigy and Sir Isaac Neutron" during another of Sheldon's classes with Dr. Sturgis. She is smarter than him, causing him to be jealous, especially when Dr. Sturgis praises her too much in front of Sheldon.
Who is smarter than Sheldon? ›The Young Sheldon season 6 fall finale reiterates that Missy is indeed the smartest Cooper kid.
What is IQ of Bill Gates? ›The average IQ varies from country to country, with the US standing at 98. Anything above 130 is high. Here are some of the glimpses of genius that attest to Bill Gates' high IQ, even to the point of being a 160 score.
Who has a 200 IQ? ›Those with higher IQs in comparison with Einstein include William James Sidis, Leonardo Da Vinci and Marilyn vos Savant. Sidis was a child prodigy whose IQ was estimated to be anywhere between 200 to 300, says parade.com.
Who is 300 IQ? ›William James Sidis has the World's Highest IQ. Anywhere from 250 to 300 is his IQ score, almost twice the score of Albert Einstein. At the age of eleven, William famously entered Harvard University, becoming the youngest person to enter. He also claimed to be conversant in 25 languages.
Who had 0 IQ? ›But no one in recorded history has officially scored zero on an IQ test, even if that result is theoretically attainable.
Who has 325 IQ? ›Michael Kearney (born 1984) is a former child prodigy who set world records for being the youngest person to graduate and teach at a university. His IQ has been calculated at somewhere between 200 and 325. Kearney graduated from high school at age 6.
What was Steve Jobs IQ? ›
"Steve Jobs likely had an IQ roughly 160 or above. In Walter Isaacson's biography, near the end of 4th grade, Jobs was tested. Jobs said: 'I scored at the high school sophomore level. ' This means he was a 4th grader performing at the 10th grade level.
What is Stephen Hawking's IQ? ›Professor Hawking, the theoretical physicist known for his work on black holes, is said to have had an IQ of 160.
Is Snoop Dogg's IQ really 147? ›Conversation. : FACTS: According to IMDB, Snoop Dogg's IQ score is 147, which is considered to be extremely high and that of a gifted genius.