Why Young Sheldon's John Sturgis Doesn't Show Up In The Big Bang Theory
Fans of The Big Bang Theory and its spinoff, Young Sheldon, often find themselves wondering: why doesn’t John Sturgis, a central figure in Sheldon Cooper’s early life, make an appearance in the original series? This intriguing gap has puzzled loyal watchers of both shows for years. Let’s dive deep into this mystery, uncovering possible reasons through character arcs, storytelling gaps, and narrative designs.
Who Is John Sturgis?
John Sturgis is introduced in Young Sheldon as Sheldon Cooper’s college professor, mentor, and even romantic interest for Meemaw (Sheldon’s beloved grandmother). He is a quirky, brilliant character with a demeanor and intellect reminiscent of Sheldon himself. His presence significantly impacts young Sheldon’s early academic journey.
However, despite his integral role in Young Sheldon, Sturgis is completely absent in The Big Bang Theory. It’s baffling, considering the narrative connections between the shows. Let’s explore the possible reasons.
Lack of Mention in The Big Bang Theory
One of the first questions fans ask is, why is John Sturgis never even referenced in The Big Bang Theory? Considering his influence on young Sheldon’s academic career, his absence seems odd. Some believe this is a deliberate choice, while others view it as a missed opportunity. Did the creators overlook this, or was there a deeper purpose behind it?
Evolution of Sheldon’s Character
Over the course of The Big Bang Theory, Sheldon undergoes significant growth, but one thing remains clear: his difficulty maintaining long-term relationships with individuals outside his core friend group. Could it be that Sheldon simply lost contact with Dr. Sturgis over the years?
Sheldon tends to speak highly of individuals who leave lasting impressions on him, like Professor Proton. The absence of Sturgis in Sheldon’s later conversations might suggest the relationship didn’t end on the best terms, or perhaps Sturgis didn’t continue to play a pivotal role in Sheldon’s life after his childhood years.
Differences Between the Shows' Timelines
Another key factor is the timeline. Young Sheldon is set decades before The Big Bang Theory, so the events and characters introduced in the spinoff are naturally influenced by the creators' hindsight. At the time The Big Bang Theory was being developed, John Sturgis didn’t exist as a character. By the time Young Sheldon came around, details were reverse-engineered to fit the narrative.
This sort of retroactive storytelling isn’t uncommon in prequels, but it often leads to inconsistencies, such as Sturgis’ omission from the original series.
Character Overlap Could Complicate The Big Bang Theory Dynamic
When crafting The Big Bang Theory, the creators likely wanted Sheldon’s quirks and intellectual prowess to stand alone. Introducing another character like John Sturgis, who shares similar traits to Sheldon, might have diluted Sheldon’s uniqueness. It’s possible the writers intentionally chose to leave him out to keep the focus on Sheldon’s later relationships with Leonard, Penny, among others.
John Sturgis and Meemaw’s Relationship
One of John Sturgis’ notable connections in Young Sheldon is his romantic involvement with Meemaw. Interestingly, Meemaw herself also never appears in The Big Bang Theory, although she is often mentioned. This omission may point to a broader decision by the creators to keep Young Sheldon characters mostly separate from the flagship series.
Is it possible that John and Meemaw’s relationship ended unfavorably, so much so that Sheldon avoids discussing it as an adult? Or could events in the upcoming seasons of Young Sheldon explain the estrangement?
Creative Liberties and Narrative Choices
Television storytelling is about choices—what to include, what to omit, and how to weave continuity. The decision to exclude John Sturgis from The Big Bang Theory could boil down to simplicity. Adding too many connections and backstories from Young Sheldon might have over-complicated The Big Bang Theory’s narrative structure.
By keeping the two worlds somewhat separate, the creators ensured that each series could stand on its own, attracting different audiences with minimal dependency on one another.
Could Future Seasons Fill the Gap?
The future can hold surprises. Young Sheldon is still ongoing, meaning new developments could bridge the gap and reveal why John Sturgis fades from Sheldon’s life. Perhaps something significant happens between the events of the two series that causes Sheldon to drift apart from Sturgis.
Sheldon’s Self-Centered Worldview
As much as we love Sheldon, it's no secret that he can be self-centered, even oblivious at times. Could it be that John Sturgis, despite his immense influence, doesn't register on Sheldon’s radar later in life? Maybe Sheldon himself didn’t maintain that connection, leaving John Sturgis as nothing more than a distant memory.
Did John Sturgis Move Away From Sheldon’s Orbit?
Life has a way of parting people, no matter how close they were at one point. John Sturgis may have moved on, pursued academic ventures elsewhere, or retired, leading to a natural separation between him and Sheldon.
Focus Shift in The Big Bang Theory
Unlike Young Sheldon, which highlights Sheldon’s upbringing and familial relationships, The Big Bang Theory focuses on his adult relationships and romantic growth. The creators may have felt John Sturgis didn’t fit into the more comedic, friendship-focused framework of the original show.
Could John Sturgis Still Be Mentioned?
While John Sturgis hasn’t been referenced so far in The Big Bang Theory, we must remember that Sheldon has occasionally dropped new tidbits about his past that never surfaced before. Consider that the events of the spinoff were created post-TBBT. Future retellings of the series might address Sturgis retroactively.
Fan Interpretations and Theories
Fans have their theories—some suggest that John Sturgis might have been a “stepping stone” in Sheldon’s academic life rather than a long-term influence. Others speculate that the implications of Sheldon’s social awkwardness and lack of sentimentality could explain Sturgis’ absence.
Could Creator Decisions Explain Sturgis’ Absence?
At the end of the day, some omissions might purely boil down to creative decisions. The Big Bang Theory’s creators may not have anticipated Young Sheldon becoming a spinoff when crafting Sheldon’s backstory. Sturgis’ absence could simply reflect the timeline of creative development.
The Mystery Adds to the Appeal
Sometimes, unanswered questions add depth to a story. The lack of explanation surrounding John Sturgis’ absence from The Big Bang Theory could be a deliberate choice to keep fans speculating, preserving an element of mystery between the two shows.
Will We Ever Get an Answer?
While we may continue to wonder, it’s worth noting that Young Sheldon might eventually offer some closure. Until then, fans can only speculate, debate, and enjoy the layered storytelling that keeps these shows intriguing.
Conclusion
John Sturgis’ absence in The Big Bang Theory remains one of the most curious inconsistencies for fans of the franchise. Whether it’s due to creative liberties, storytelling gaps, or Sheldon’s own personal evolution, this mystery adds another layer to the rich tapestry of Sheldon Cooper’s life. For now, we can only wait and see if the creators eventually address this puzzling omission.
FAQs
1. Why did John Sturgis never appear in The Big Bang Theory?
John Sturgis’ absence might be due to creative decisions, timeline differences, or the need to keep The Big Bang Theory focused on its core characters and plots.
2. Is Meemaw mentioned in The Big Bang Theory?
Yes, Meemaw is mentioned several times in The Big Bang Theory, though she never physically appears in the series.
3. Will John Sturgis’ fate be explained in Young Sheldon?
There’s a possibility future seasons of Young Sheldon could explain what happens to John Sturgis and why he’s absent in Sheldon’s adult life.
4. Was John Sturgis a major influence on Sheldon?
Yes, John Sturgis significantly impacted young Sheldon’s academic journey, but it seems his influence didn’t extend into Sheldon’s adult years.
5. Did the creators of The Big Bang Theory plan for Young Sheldon’s storyline?
Since Young Sheldon was created after The Big Bang Theory, much of its storyline, including John Sturgis, was developed retrospectively.
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