The best Young Sheldon episodes prove that The Big Bang Theory’s spinoff is not only a great prequel, but also works as a standalone sitcom. When Young Sheldon premiered in 2018, there was reason to believe the show would be a huge flop. It seemed likely that Sheldon would be insufferably annoying without the support of his friend group, and the fact that the inimitable Jim Parsons needed to be replaced in his iconic role didn’t bode well either. However, Young Sheldon was a massive hit with audiences and even managed to win over critics thanks to some canny surprises.
After seven seasons of surprising success, Young Sheldon will be coming to an end. While the franchise will continue with the Young Sheldon spinoff series focusing on Georgie and Mandy, the best episodes give it great rewatch value. The best Young Sheldon episodes highlight the strengths of the show, from the charming lead character to the family dynamics, while also delivering a nice mix of humor and heart. These episodes cover the earliest moments of the series as well as the later seasons, when the show found even more confidence to stand on its own.
Young Sheldon is available to stream on Netflix and Max.
15“Pilot”
Season 1, Episode 1
Pilot episodes for sitcoms are notoriously tricky to pull off. Along with having to deliver the laughs that audiences are expecting, the first episode also has to set up so much that it can often drag down the comedy and feel pull. Many classic sitcoms had to get past their awkward first episode before they truly started to be funny. However, Young Sheldon impressed by kicking things off on a strong note.
Ian Armitage takes on the role with confidence and perfection
While the fact that the audience likely already knew the main character would seem to help, Jim Parson’s performance as Sheldon Cooper was so iconic that it was a barrier the prequel had to overcome. Ian Armitage takes on the role with confidence and perfection, but the real strength of the first episode is showing the Cooper family dynamic, which would be the heart of the show going forward.
The episode features a cameo from Bob Newhart reprising his role as Professor Proton from The Big Bang Theory.
Young Sheldon’s stories and casting are, for the most part, perfect. However, there are some glaring inconsistencies throughout the show.
14“An 8-Bit Princess and a Flat Tire Genius”
Season 2, Episode
Young Sheldon is set in the past but doesn’t rely too heavily on nostalgia to work. However, this episode that revisits the older days of 8-bit video games does so in a charming and heartwarming way. The season 2 episode “An 8-Bit Princess and a Flat Tire Genius” focuses on Sheldon and Meemaw finding a common love for a particular video game. This shared interest allows them to bond in a way that Sheldon appreciates.
Sheldon is not always the easiest person to make a connection with, so to see him actively trying to recapture the fun they shared together is touching.
However, when the game breaks Sheldon attempts to find one that can replace it. This is one of the best Young Sheldon episiodes because it highlights Sheldon’s relationship with Meemaw in a very sweet way. Sheldon is not always the easiest person to make a connection with, so to see him actively trying to recapture the fun they shared together is touching.
13“A Parasol and a Hell of an Arm”
Season 3, Episode 6
Given the antics that can ensue whenever the Coopers are together, it is fun to see a family outing as in the Young Sheldon season 3 episode “A Parasol and a Hell of an Arm” which sees the family visiting the carnival. While there, Mindy proves to have a real talent at throwing baseballs for the dunk tank which kickstarts a storyline about her trying to join the local boys’ baseball team.
Georgie working at the carnival is a particularly notable subplot with some big laughs.
The episode is also a key one for Meemaw’s relationships on Young Sheldon as she is dealing with her breakup from Dr. Sturgis while also meeting her new love interest, Dale. While the Mindy storyline gets center stage, “A Parasol and a Hell of an Arm” ranks among the best Young Sheldon episodes because it gives the characters an equal chance to shine. Georgie working at the carnival is a particularly notable subplot with some big laughs.
12“A Crisis of Faith and Octopus Aliens”
Season 2, Episode 3
While the sitcom does a good job of providing the humor fans expect, more so than The Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon‘s best episodes show a willingness to play around with heavier themes and explore more challenging storylines. Going all the way back to Mary’s appearance on The Big Bang Theory, her faith has always been a big part of her character. The season 2 episode “A Crisis of Faith and Octopus Aliens” sees that shaken when she learns of a tragedy with one of the church members which fills her with doubt.
Sheldon puts his own beliefs aside when he sees she is struggling and even attempts to use science to help Mary regain her faith.
While this is an interesting storyline to explore on a sitcom, it is Sheldon’s reaction to his mother’s pain that makes it truly special. Sheldon’s lack of faith has always been something that divides him and his mother. However, Sheldon puts his own beliefs aside when he sees she is struggling and even attempts to use science to help Mary regain her faith.
11“Graduation”
Season 4, Episode 1
The Big Bang Theory saw Sheldon go through some big changes over its run, but Young Sheldon does a great job in showing the vulnerabilities of a character who seems too brilliant at times. “Graduation” is one of the best examples of this as it focuses on Sheldon graduating from high school. While excelling at school has always been easy for Sheldon, the episode shows him doubting himself for the first time as he questions if he is really ready for college.
The episode also features a voice cameo from Jim Parsons revealing Sheldon and Amy have a son named Leonard.
Seeing this side of Sheldon is a very effective character moment that makes him more relatable than he has ever been. The episode becomes even sweeter when it is Missy who helps to guide Sheldon through this and the fact that he delivers his valedictorian speech directly to her in the audience is a very sweet moment. As a bonus, the episode also features a voice cameo from Jim Parsons revealing Sheldon and Amy have a son named Leonard.
10“A Tornado, A 10-Hour Flight, And A Darn Fine Ring”
Season 6, Episode 22
Young Sheldon’s season 6 finale proved that the show doesn’t need to focus on Sheldon for its ensemble comedy to succeed. The episode used George Sr.’s relationship with Missy to ground its action, while other subplots provided comedic relief. Missy spent most of season 6 feuding with her protective parents, but the finale episode saw her come to a tearful truce with her father.
What’s more, Mandy’s surprise proposal ensured that the season 6 finale wasn’t entirely serious, making this one of Young Sheldon‘s best episodes as the outing gave the show’s entire cast can shine in Sheldon’s absence. Pulling off a great Young Sheldon episode without Sheldon made this a classic.
TBBT introduced most of the Cooper family but not in a favorable light. Young Sheldon has shown there’s more to them than meets the eye.
9“A Second Prodigy And The Hottest Tips For Pouty Lips”
Season 4, Episode 16
Even though this Young Sheldon season 4 episode isn’t the first appearance from Mckenna Grace’s supporting character, Paige, it is one of her best. This outing set up the show’s most adorable rivalry as Sheldon became convinced he had a crush on Grace’s child prodigy.Paige’s Young Sheldon story is vital, as she acts as a foil to the show’s lovably quirky hero. Paige is playful and adventurous while Sheldon is fastidious and fussy.
Meanwhile, Mary and George Sr.’s subplot offered early insight into their marital struggles, proving the series could handle darker themes.
Meanwhile, Mary and George Sr.’s subplot offered early insight into their marital struggles, proving the series could handle darker themes. This episode is Young Sheldon’s strongest marriage of a heavier subplot with a sweet A-story.
8“Future Worf And The Margarita Of The South Pacific”
Season 6, Episode 2
With a plot centered on Sheldon’s parents considering infidelity, Young Sheldon season 6, episode 2, “Future Worf and the Margarita of the South Pacific,” could have been unusually dark. Instead, this episode became one of Young Sheldon’s best outings because the show proved that Sheldon’s antics could lighten up more serious storylines.
This episode’s unexpectedly happy ending allowed a risky plot to become one of Young Sheldon ’s best storylines.
A subplot about Sheldon accidentally inventing the idea of cryptocurrency lifted the mood while, instead of jealousy driving the pair apart, Mary and George Sr’s secrets eventually ended up reigniting their passion. This episode’s unexpectedly happy ending allowed a risky plot to become one of Young Sheldon’s best storylines.
7“A Pink Cadillac and a Glorious Tribal Dance”
Season 5, Episode 12
Sheldon’s first Comic-Con provided the show with one of its funniest, and most moving looks into what makes the character tick in Young Sheldon season 5, episode 12, “A Pink Cadillac and a Glorious Tribal Dance.” What made this Young Sheldon season 5’s strongest episode was the title character’s introduction to nerd culture. Sheldon’s attempt at teenage rebellion consisting of a clandestine trip to a comic convention was inspired, but seeing the character feel genuinely at home among his type of people after years of social exclusion was also surprisingly heartwarming.
6“A Resident Advisor And The Word Sketchy”
Season 6, Episode 5
Sheldon’s brief stint as an RA proved that he was never at home in the world of higher education, even before The Big Bang Theory saw him repeatedly butt heads with college officials. What made this Young Sheldon episode great was Sheldon’s brief tenure as a resident advisor foreshadowing a character detail that recurred throughout The Big Bang Theory.
Sheldon often abuses any petty authority he is given, only to soon regret this in many episodes. This outing’s plot proved hubris has always been Sheldon’s biggest flaw, while Dale and Connie’s criminal activities provided this outing with higher stakes than most Young Sheldon episodes.
5“A Loaf of Bread And A Grand Old Flag”
Season 2, Episode 16
Sheldon’s love of bread led him to accidentally advocate for communism in season 2. Admittedly, this episode’s plot was more far-fetched and zanier than many of the show’s outings, but it is one of Young Sheldon‘s best episodes because it highlights Sheldon’s fish-out-of-water status.
A subplot where Georgie tries to console his jilted ex shows his soft side, fleshing out his character.
Young Sheldon‘s focus on its hyper-intelligent hero’s social challenges resulted in Sheldon walking back his accidental political commentary, as this episode proved just how much The Big Bang Theory‘s Texan hero struggled to fit in his hometown. Meanwhile, a subplot where Georgie tries to console his jilted ex shows his soft side, fleshing out his character.
Young Sheldon prominently stars the Cooper Family, while also featuring some regular supporting characters. Here’s where you know the actors from.
4“A Secret Letter And A Lowly Disc of Processed Meat”
Season 3, Episode 21
In Young Sheldon’s season 3 finale, Sheldon discovered a college acceptance letter that his parents had hidden from him. This was a momentous event that changed the trajectory of the series since it set up Sheldon’s bright future in academia. What made this one of Young Sheldon’s best episodes was the outing managing to balance the weight of Sheldon’s expectations with Mary and George Sr’s understandable concerns about Sheldon growing up too fast. Their attempts to act in his best interest are often thwarted by Sheldon’s ambition and this episode is the best example of this recurring conflict.
3“A Computer, A Plastic Pony, And A Case of Beer”
Season 1, Episode 12
This season 1 episode saw Sheldon’s need for a computer clash with the family’s finances, and is one of Young Sheldon’s best episodes as it illustrates how Sheldon’s child-prodigy status impacts their everyday lives. Sheldon’s intelligence acted as a spark to ignite a family-wide fight, while Mary hiding her earnings from the family proved that Sheldon’s beloved mother was a more complex character than she seemed.
This funny, moving episode that proved Sheldon’s gifts could sometimes be a curse.
Later episodes of Young Sheldon dealt with Missy’s reaction to her brother’s preferential treatment, but the seeds of this storyline were sown in this funny, moving episode that proved Sheldon’s gifts could sometimes be a curse.
2“A Stunted Childhood And A Can Of Fancy Mixed Nuts”
Season 2, Episode 10
Sheldon’s first successful prank was one of Young Sheldon‘s best stories because the title character can often come across as stiff and humorless. Viewers got a glimpse of The Big Bang Theory‘s “Bazinga“-spouting version of the character when he vowed to prank Missy and Paige during their sleepover. Paige and Missy’s friendship was cute and a sweet subplot between Connie and Dr. Sturgis made this episode even better, but it was a chance to see Sheldon’s typically self-serious younger self try his hand at practical jokes that made this a great example of Young Sheldon’s storytelling at its strongest.
1“A Swedish Science Thing And The Equation For Toast”
Season 2, Episode 22
Young Sheldon‘s most shamelessly sentimental moments tend to come in its season finales. The season 2 finale, “A Swedish Science Thing and the Equation for Toast,” is no exception to this rule. This one has to make the list thanks to its inclusion of the rest of The Big Bang Theory’s younger selves, as Young Sheldon finally depicted young Leonard, Howard, Raj, Amy, Bernadette, and Penny in this episode’s closing montage.
The presence of The Big Bang Theory ’s future heroes soon helped make the entry the show’s strongest yet.
Sheldon’s tearful fear of never gaining any friends made this Young Sheldon episode crushing, but the presence of The Big Bang Theory’s future heroes soon helped make the entry the show’s strongest yet.
