Young Sheldon was all about delving into the stories of Sheldon’s childhood that had originally left us so curious in The Big Bang Theory. Despite Sheldon’s pretty emotionless state of being (that is before he learns how to recognise feelings later on) he had a loving family and relatively normal childhood. The spinoff answered so many questions we had about the show and why Sheldon ended up the way he did, but seven seasons later, people have only just picked up on one vital detail in Young Sheldon that explains a huge plot point in The Big Bang Theory – the dining table.
via Netflix
It’s no secret that Sheldon was very against having a dining table for most of the show. In an episode where Penny has to sit on the floor, everyone suddenly decides that the apartment should have a dining table, to which Sheldon objects. When he finally gets his way, he’s very pleased, telling a defeated Leonard “sometimes the baby wins.”
One thing you’ll notice in the episode is Sheldon never really gives a reason why. He’s just adamant on sitting on the couch for dinner instead. This was never explained in either The Big Bang Theory or Young Sheldon, until some viewers noticed a very sad reason that could explain why.
If you go back to the very beginning of the Young Sheldon series, you’ll see Sheldon marked his spot at the dining table very quickly, just like he does in The Big Bang Theory. And, if you put the two images side by side, Sheldon basically has the same spot on the couch and on his dining table – forward facing and on the right. When he’s sat at the table, he’s sat next to his dad.
via Netflix
I know Sheldon very scientifically explains why his spot is perfect, but maybe his subconscious is telling him it is because it’s the same place he would have sat at his family home dining table with his dad on his left hand side.
So maybe the reason he did not want a dining table was because he felt he couldn’t have one in his home without a spot for his father, too.
However, if you wanted to get even more emotional, think about where Leonard sits in comparison to Sheldon, and Penny in later seasons. It’s as if Leonard has taken Sheldon’s dad’s spot, and therefore assumed the caregiver role in his life. Maybe the producers of the show were trying to tell us that despite not being as clever as Sheldon, Leonard is his life guide just like his father was.
via Netflix
It seems that no matter where Sheldon is, Leonard is always on his left, even if it means he’s sat on an uncomfortable little chair!
