Young Sheldon Had a Big Problem with Its Side Characters
Young Sheldon is a beloved sitcom that has captured the hearts of viewers by offering a glimpse into the childhood of one of television’s most iconic characters: Sheldon Cooper. As Sheldon navigates life as a child prodigy in East Texas, his family and friends play significant roles in shaping his experiences. However, despite the show’s popularity, there’s a glaring issue that many fans and critics have pointed out: its side characters.
While Sheldon’s eccentric genius often steals the spotlight, the supporting cast has often been sidelined or underdeveloped. This is a big problem for Young Sheldon, as the potential for rich, layered characters is mostly wasted. Let’s take a closer look at why the side characters in Young Sheldon are underutilized and how this limits the overall impact of the show.
The Importance of Side Characters in a Sitcom
Side characters are the backbone of any successful sitcom. They provide balance, create conflict, and, most importantly, offer diverse perspectives that enrich the main storyline. In Young Sheldon, the focus is, understandably, on Sheldon and his remarkable intellect, but the other characters in his world should not be relegated to the background. Each one of them has the potential for unique storylines and moments that could have elevated the show further.
The Overlooked Missy Cooper
Missy Cooper, Sheldon’s twin sister, has the potential to be one of the most interesting and relatable characters on the show. She is often the voice of reason, bringing a sense of normalcy and emotional intelligence to a family that’s dominated by Sheldon’s genius and George’s gruff demeanor. However, Missy is often relegated to the sidelines. She’s a character whose emotional depth and personal growth are barely explored, despite being an integral part of Sheldon’s life.
In many episodes, Missy’s character arc is limited to being Sheldon’s “annoying twin” or serving as comic relief. The show could have done so much more with her — exploring her own relationships, struggles, and aspirations. Imagine a storyline where Missy gets a chance to shine, whether in a school project, a friendship, or a family conflict. The underdevelopment of Missy’s character is a huge missed opportunity for Young Sheldon.
George Sr. and the Lack of Emotional Depth
George Sr., played by Lance Barber, is another side character that suffers from underdevelopment. He’s portrayed as a well-meaning but emotionally distant father who struggles with the challenges of raising a genius child like Sheldon. However, beyond his frustration with Sheldon, we don’t get to see much of George Sr.’s internal world.
This lack of emotional depth prevents George from becoming a more rounded character. Instead, he’s often reduced to stereotypical dad tropes — the exasperated father who doesn’t understand his kid. There’s so much potential for exploring George’s past, his personal struggles, and his relationship with his wife, Mary. Instead of focusing on Sheldon’s scientific pursuits, Young Sheldon could have made George Sr. a more compelling figure by delving into his own story.
Mary Cooper: A One-Dimensional Mother
While Mary Cooper (Sheldon’s mom) is arguably more fleshed out than George or Missy, her character still faces significant limitations. The show often portrays Mary as a devout Christian mother who’s constantly trying to keep Sheldon’s intellectualism in check while maintaining peace in the family. While this is an interesting angle, the writers rarely push Mary’s character beyond these traits.
Mary’s emotional journey, her relationship with George, and the complexities of raising a genius child are often left unexplored. She could have been given more nuanced, personal storylines that weren’t just centered around Sheldon’s antics. By expanding Mary’s role, the show could have showcased the difficulties and triumphs of being a mother in an unconventional family, creating a more well-rounded narrative.
The Diminished Role of the Other Schoolmates
Sheldon’s classmates, such as his friend Tam and other students at his school, also play an important role in his development. However, they often exist as mere background characters without much depth. Tam, for instance, has the potential to be a great foil to Sheldon, offering a different perspective on childhood challenges and academic pressures. Yet, we rarely see Tam in anything other than a supporting role, and when he does appear, his character isn’t fleshed out enough to make him memorable.
By focusing more on Sheldon’s interactions with his peers, Young Sheldon could explore important themes like friendship, rivalry, and the social challenges that come with being a gifted child. Instead, these characters are often given shallow storylines that don’t contribute meaningfully to the show’s overall narrative.
Why Does This Matter?
At its core, Young Sheldon is a show about family dynamics, the struggles of growing up, and the importance of relationships. Sheldon’s genius may be the focal point, but the people around him play a crucial role in shaping his experiences. By neglecting the development of side characters, the show limits the emotional depth and complexity of its storylines. This not only hurts the characters themselves but also leaves the audience with a less engaging viewing experience.
The best sitcoms manage to balance character development across the board, giving both the main and side characters room to grow. Think of shows like Friends, where each character had their own personal arc that contributed to the larger story. Young Sheldon, on the other hand, often fails to do this, leaving its side characters underdeveloped and one-dimensional.
Potential Ways to Improve the Side Characters
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Focus on Missy’s Growth: Missy could have been given her own storyline that explored her growth as a person outside of Sheldon’s shadow. Whether it’s her experiences at school, her friendships, or her own intellectual development, Missy deserves more screen time and a deeper narrative.
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Give George Sr. a Backstory: We don’t know much about George Sr.’s past, but exploring his history — including his struggles with work, relationships, and raising a genius child — could add emotional depth to his character. There’s so much more to George than his role as Sheldon’s frustrated father.
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Expand Mary’s Character Arc: While Mary plays an essential role in Sheldon’s life, her character could benefit from more nuanced development. Exploring her faith, her marriage to George, and her own personal challenges would make her more relatable and impactful.
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Develop Sheldon’s Classmates: Sheldon’s interactions with his peers are often sidelined, but characters like Tam could be given more depth. Exploring Sheldon’s friendships, challenges at school, and rivalries could open up fresh storylines that offer a different perspective on his childhood.
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Introduce New Side Characters: Introducing new characters, like family friends, teachers, or even extended family members, could offer more diverse perspectives on Sheldon’s upbringing and enrich the overall narrative.
Conclusion
While Young Sheldon remains a beloved show, it’s clear that the side characters have been largely overlooked. Missy, George Sr., Mary, and even Sheldon’s classmates all have the potential to be far more than one-dimensional figures. If the writers took the time to develop these characters and explore their own storylines, the show could become even more engaging and dynamic. Until then, fans will continue to feel like the show is missing out on some valuable opportunities to deepen its emotional resonance and character development.
FAQs
1. Why are the side characters in Young Sheldon underdeveloped? The show often focuses too heavily on Sheldon’s intellect and his family’s reaction to it, leaving little room for the development of side characters like Missy, George Sr., and Mary.
2. How could Young Sheldon improve its side characters? By giving them more storylines, exploring their backstories, and showing how they grow personally, Young Sheldon could make its side characters more compelling and integral to the overall plot.
3. Why does Missy’s character deserve more attention? Missy brings a grounded perspective to the show, and her development outside of Sheldon’s shadow would offer fans a deeper, more relatable narrative.
4. What’s the problem with George Sr. as a character? George Sr. is often reduced to a frustrated father figure with little emotional depth. Exploring his past, struggles, and relationship with Mary could make him a more well-rounded character.
5. How could Sheldon’s classmates be developed further? By showing more of Sheldon’s interactions with his classmates and giving them their own character arcs, the show could explore important themes like friendship and rivalry while providing a fresh perspective on Sheldon’s life.
