The reason behind Mary’s anger toward George in The Big Bang Theory might be rooted in George’s final arc in Young Sheldon. As the prequel series approaches its conclusion, George’s days are numbered, following the canon that he passes away before the family comedy/drama ends. Although the specific details of his death remain unclear, it’s been confirmed that the penultimate episode will center around George’s funeral, indicating his passing will occur beforehand.
George’s death is one of two major events from The Big Bang Theory expected to unfold in Young Sheldon, the other being his affair. Despite initially portraying George as a flawed father, the spinoff has redeemed his character, and even Jim Parsons’ adult Sheldon expressed regret for being too harsh on him. However, this leaves Mary’s lingering anger towards George in The Big Bang Theory as the last unresolved piece of his legacy.
George’s Vasectomy & Death Could Explain Mary’s Anger
In Young Sheldon season 7, episode 12, titled “A Little Snip and Teaching Old Dogs,” George secretly undergoes a vasectomy without telling Mary. As Georgie and Mandy move in with the McAllisters and Sheldon prepares to head to California for post-grad studies at Caltech, Mary faces the prospect of becoming an empty-nester. Struggling with these changes, she suggests to George that they have another baby. Rather than confront her, George, knowing this is a bad idea, secretly has the procedure done behind her back.
This betrayal likely fueled Mary’s bitterness, which persisted even into her later years, as seen in her harsh criticisms of George in The Big Bang Theory. Coupled with the fear of being alone and George’s unexpected death, it’s understandable why she would harbor resentment towards him. Mary’s grief, combined with her feelings of abandonment, likely worsened after his refusal to have another child, leaving her feeling even more isolated following his death.
Mary’s Fear of Being Alone
Mary’s arc in Young Sheldon season 7 could also shed light on her emotional struggles after George’s passing. Her fear of being alone, intensified by Sheldon’s departure and the changes within the family, likely made George’s death even more devastating. This would explain why she broke down completely after his passing, as mentioned in The Big Bang Theory, leaving Georgie to step up and take care of the family.
Given her strong faith and dedication to her children, it might seem uncharacteristic for Mary to fall apart after George’s death. However, the renewal of her marriage in Young Sheldon season 7, following years of conflict, likely made George’s death even harder to bear. This fear of abandonment and renewed marital connection explain why George’s final arc has such a lasting impact on Mary, and why she carried that bitterness into the future.
