Let’s be clear: Young Sheldon delivered a bittersweet and emotional series finale that tied up most loose ends beautifully. From George Sr.’s unexpected passing to Sheldon’s tearful goodbye, the show gave us closure, growth, and heart.
But even after over a year, one specific detail continues to nag at me — and I know I’m not alone.
It wasn’t the pacing. It wasn’t the tone.
It was how Missy Cooper was handled — or more accurately, how she was overlooked.
Missy Cooper — The Forgotten Sibling in the Finale’s Biggest Moments
A Character Fans Grew to Love
Missy, played brilliantly by Raegan Revord, started out as comic relief — the sassy, sarcastic twin sister of Sheldon. But over time, she evolved into one of the show’s most emotionally complex characters.
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She struggled with feeling invisible.
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She acted out but also deeply cared.
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She was the one who connected most with both parents and often served as the emotional glue.
So why did the finale treat her like a background extra?
The Funeral Scene That Broke Fans’ Hearts — For the Wrong Reasons
George Sr.’s Death Was Powerful… But Missy Was Silent
One of the most pivotal and emotional scenes in the finale was George Sr.’s funeral. We saw Mary’s grief. We saw Sheldon’s awkward reaction. Even Meemaw had a moment.
But Missy? Not a single line. No close-up. No breakdown. Nothing.
After building up her emotional arc across seven seasons, the finale muted her pain, as if her grief didn’t matter.
And that’s what still doesn’t sit right.
Fans Spoke Out — “She Deserved Better”
Across forums and social media, fans immediately noticed the snub:
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“How do you not give Missy a single line after her dad dies?”
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“She was the heart of that family, and they just sidelined her.”
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“They let Sheldon cry. They let Mary scream. Missy got nothing?”
The reaction was swift — and passionate.
Missy’s Arc Was Building Toward Something — Then… Nothing
Let’s not forget: leading up to the finale, Missy had been:
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Acting out in school
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Reconnecting with her dad
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Questioning her place in the family
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Trying to be seen as more than just “Sheldon’s sister”
We were watching a young girl struggle with identity, independence, and emotional depth.
And then? Poof. No closure. No resolution. Just silence.
Why This Still Matters — One Year Later
Representation of Grief Matters
The way we show girls processing loss on screen is just as important as how we show boys. Sheldon’s grief was intellectualized. Mary’s was spiritual. But Missy’s — arguably the most raw and vulnerable — was skipped entirely.
And that’s a missed opportunity.
It Reinforced Missy’s Central Struggle: Being Overlooked
Ironically — and maybe unintentionally — the finale doubled down on the very thing Missy always felt growing up:
That in the Cooper family, she came last.
Maybe the writers meant to reflect that. But without giving her the space to speak, cry, or scream, it felt like the show itself forgot her.
Raegan Revord Deserved a Moment to Shine
As a young actress, Raegan Revord delivered emotional nuance in scene after scene throughout the series. She was more than capable of carrying a grief scene — and fans were expecting it.
To deny her that moment? It feels like a disservice to her performance, to the character, and to the audience who cared.
What Could They Have Done Differently?
1. A Simple Scene Alone in Her Room
Even 30 seconds of Missy crying, talking to a photo of her dad, or venting to Meemaw would’ve made a difference.
2. A Voiceover from Adult Missy
We got adult Sheldon’s narration. Why not give Missy a voice, too?
3. One Line at the Funeral
Literally one line of dialogue. A eulogy. A whisper. Something.
What This Says About Writing Female Characters in Family Dramas
Missy’s sidelining is part of a bigger issue in TV writing:
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Emotional boys get depth and airtime (as they should).
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Emotional girls often get labeled “dramatic,” “rebellious,” or “annoying.”
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Their inner lives? Left on the cutting room floor.
Can the Spinoff Fix This?
With the Georgie & Mandy spinoff on the horizon, there’s potential for:
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Missy cameos
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Flashbacks to her grief
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An adult Missy perspective
She may not be the star, but she still deserves closure.
Conclusion: Some Scars Don’t Heal Quietly
Young Sheldon gave us laughs, lessons, and a truly touching finale — but Missy Cooper’s silencing in her father’s funeral remains an emotional misstep that stings even a year later.
It wasn’t about needing more screen time.
It was about validating a teenage girl’s pain — and showing that her grief mattered, too.
Hopefully, the writers — and TV creators at large — learn from this moment. Because viewers don’t forget when a character they grew up with gets left behind.
FAQs
1. Why didn’t Missy have a bigger role in the finale?
The show never officially explained it, but it likely came down to time constraints and a focus on Sheldon’s arc — though fans widely agree it was a mistake.
2. Did Raegan Revord comment on the finale?
She hasn’t directly addressed the lack of screen time, but she did share bittersweet farewell posts on social media.
3. Will Missy appear in the Georgie & Mandy spinoff?
It’s possible — CBS hasn’t confirmed, but there’s fan demand for her to return, even in a limited capacity.
4. Did the writers intend to mirror Missy’s overlooked status?
Some fans believe it was intentional to reflect Missy’s place in the family, but many argue that storytelling intent doesn’t excuse emotional omission.
5. Where can I rewatch the Young Sheldon finale?
The full series, including the finale, is available on Paramount+ and may also air in reruns on CBS.
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Thanks for reading — and for still caring about these characters a year later. Sometimes the quietest parts of a story echo the loudest in our hearts. Here’s to Missy Cooper — the voice we’re still waiting to hear.
