The Young Sheldon universe is expanding, and CBS is betting big on Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage to carry the legacy forward. With Sheldon Cooper’s coming-of-age arc wrapped, the franchise needed someone to fill the “quirky genius” void.
Enter: Cece’s classmate, Miles — a pint-sized brainiac who’s been hailed (unofficially) as the “Sheldon replacement.”
He’s brilliant. He’s socially awkward.
And unfortunately… he’s also obnoxiously condescending — just like Sheldon Cooper at his worst.
👦 Meet Miles — First Marriage’s Answer to Sheldon
Miles is the kind of kid who corrects grammar mid-sentence, calculates tip percentages for fun, and insists on explaining why a joke isn’t funny — especially when it involves puns.
Sound familiar? It should. He’s cut from the same cloth as young Sheldon, complete with:
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A superiority complex
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Minimal social filter
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Obsessive interests (space, paleontology, quantum mechanics, take your pick)
But where Sheldon was endearing in his weirdness, Miles seems to take it one step too far — veering into unlikable territory fast.
📉 The Trait Fans Hoped Would Die With TBBT: Condescension
Let’s be honest — even the most devoted Big Bang Theory fans have complained about Sheldon’s arrogance. Yes, he’s a genius. Yes, he has a big heart under all that smugness. But let’s not forget:
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He constantly insulted his friends
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He belittled others’ intelligence
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He made every conversation a competition
And now? Miles is reviving that exact energy, especially when it comes to Cece.
👧 Cece’s Not Having It (And We Love That for Her)
Cece, Georgie and Mandy’s daughter, is smart, spunky, and sarcastic — a great combination for standing toe-to-toe with a mini know-it-all like Miles.
Their early interactions are full of tension:
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Miles corrects her about basic biology facts
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She calls him “Google with bad manners”
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He tries to dominate class projects
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She shuts him down with a look
It’s hilarious. It’s awkward.
And it’s low-key a better dynamic than Sheldon vs. Leonard ever was.
⚠️ The Sheldon Problem: Why It’s Risky to Repeat It
Bringing back a “Sheldon-type” character in a spin-off is a bold move, but also a dangerous one. Here’s why:
1. Lightning Rarely Strikes Twice
Jim Parsons was Sheldon. Iconic performance. Once-in-a-generation casting. Trying to replicate that magic is like rebooting Friends — you just don’t.
2. Fans Have Moved On
After 12 seasons of TBBT and 7 of Young Sheldon, audiences are ready for something new. We don’t need another robotic genius — we’ve had our fill.
3. It’s Harder to Root for Arrogance in 2025
Modern viewers want characters with empathy, nuance, and growth. A mini-Sheldon without the emotional layers? Risky.
💡 What Makes Miles Different From Sheldon (Thankfully)
To be fair, Miles isn’t a carbon copy. He brings his own quirks:
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He’s more emotionally expressive
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He actually wants friends (he’s just bad at making them)
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He seems aware he can come off like a jerk — and feels awkward about it
There’s potential for growth here, if the writers lean into it.
🧠 Smart Characters Don’t Have to Be Jerks
Here’s the thing: intelligence doesn’t have to equal condescension. The Young Sheldon franchise has proven that:
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Missy was emotionally smart
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Meemaw was street smart
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Even Georgie grew into business-savvy wisdom
Miles could be brilliant and kind. It all depends on the direction the showrunners take him.
📣 What Fans Are Saying
“Why does every genius on TV have to be insufferable?”
“I love Cece — but this kid Miles? He’s like if Sheldon had no filter and no charm.”
“Please don’t make the whole show about this kid being annoying and then everyone clapping because he knows quantum theory.”
Oof. The fandom is not sold yet.
🛠️ How First Marriage Can Fix the “New Sheldon” Problem
To avoid making the same mistakes, the spin-off needs to:
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Let Miles show vulnerability
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Give him real stakes and failures
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Allow him to learn from Cece (not just lecture her)
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Avoid using “he’s just like Sheldon!” as a crutch
Give us a real character, not just a walking Easter egg.
💬 Cece Might Be the Real Prodigy Here
Let’s be honest: Cece steals every scene she’s in. She’s clever, emotionally sharp, and sarcastic in a way that feels totally natural.
While Miles might be the “new genius,” Cece feels like the next generation’s real lead — the kind of kid Young Sheldonfans wanted Missy to grow into.
If CBS is smart, they’ll invest in her character arc — not just his IQ score.
🧪 Does Every Spin-Off Need a Genius?
Not really. In fact, the best thing about First Marriage so far is its shift in tone:
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Family-focused
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Southern charm
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Realistic parenting struggles
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Millennial vs. Gen Alpha drama
Leaning too hard into “find the next Sheldon” could backfire — especially when fans are craving freshness, not formula.
Conclusion: Smart Is Great — But Make It Human
Miles might be First Marriage’s nod to the legendary Sheldon Cooper, but copying Sheldon’s worst habit — his arrogance — is a gamble that might not pay off.
There’s time to course-correct. To let Miles evolve. To give Cece the spotlight she deserves.
Because while Sheldon’s brain made him iconic, it was his growth, his humanity, that made us stay.
Let’s hope First Marriage doesn’t forget that.
❓FAQs About Miles and First Marriage’s Genius Problem
1. Is Miles supposed to be like Sheldon Cooper?
Yes — he’s clearly inspired by Sheldon’s younger years. But fans feel he’s leaning too hard into the “know-it-all jerk” side.
2. Will Miles be a main character in First Marriage?
He appears regularly in early episodes and seems positioned to play a big role in Cece’s life — possibly even a rival/friend combo.
3. Why are fans annoyed with Miles?
Mainly because he mirrors Sheldon’s worst personality trait: arrogance. Without balance or emotional depth, it feels stale.
4. Who plays Miles in the show?
A rising young actor named Elijah Grant. He’s talented, no doubt — but he’s working with a tough archetype.
5. Is Cece the new “Missy” of the franchise?
In many ways, yes. She’s smart, independent, and brings emotional range to every scene. She could absolutely carry her own arc — or even a future spin-off.
📢 Custom Message:
Are you watching First Marriage? Got opinions about Miles? Let CBS know what you want to see from the next generation of Coopers. And don’t forget — being smart is cool, but being kind is genius. 💬🧠✨
