The reason why Mary was full of hatred towards George in The Big Bang Theory is finally revealed in the Young Sheldon series finale. With Young Sheldon officially retconning George’s cheating scandal, Sheldon’s father was officially exonerated from his supposed biggest crime. It completed the prequel’s effort to clean up his image that was previously established by Sheldon and Mary’s anecdotes in TBBT. Jim Parsons’ adult Sheldon has admitted his crimes against his dad in the Young Sheldon finale, leaving Mary’s attitude towards her late husband in The Big Bang Theory as the only mystery about George’s true legacy.
Rehabilitating George in Young Sheldon was the absolute right creative route to go for the prequel. It was easy to make him a punchline in The Big Bang Theory, but the family comedy/drama would have lost countless memorable moments for cheap laughs if it stuck with a one-dimensional character. The downside, however, is that it makes the Cooper patriarch’s demise more heartbreaking to watch, especially since he was on the cusp of having the life he always dreamed of. It was so sad, even Meemaw was distraught over George’s death despite their contentious relationship.
The Young Sheldon finale ends Sheldon’s time in Texas, reveals new TBBT details, and sets up Georgie and Mandy’s future, but leaves questions as well.
Mary Channels Her Grief Into Anger At George For Leaving Her
George’s Death Leaves Mary Utterly Helpless And Full Of Regrets.
On the heels of George’s unexpected death, the Coopers deal with the fallout of losing the head of their household. Young Sheldon season 7, episode 13, appropriately titled “Funeral,” will see the family send off Sheldon’s dad with a memorial service. That includes Mary giving a eulogy before they bury her late husband. In the middle of her speech, however, she breaks down and candidly reveals her true emotions — Mary is mad at George for leaving her, especially considering the way their life was shaping out before his fatal heart attack
As adult Georgie revealed in The Big Bang Theory, there will come a point when Mary will be far too grief-stricken to function, hence why he had to take over.
Mary turns her grief into anger and becomes her coping mechanism for the latest tragedy. This isn’t out of the norm, but it should just have been a phase if she properly processes her emotions. As seen in Young Sheldon season 7, episode 14, “Memoir,” however, she doesn’t. Instead of facing it head on out, she clings to unhealthy ways of moving forward. As adult Georgie revealed in The Big Bang Theory, there will come a point when Mary will be far too grief-stricken to function, hence why he had to take over.
The Young Sheldon finale hints at a potential dark fate for Sheldon’s best friend, Leonard, five years after the end of The Big Bang Theory.
George’s True Self Made It More Difficult For Mary To Accept His Death
It Was Less Painful For Mary To Deny That George Was A Good Husband And Father.
The harsh reality is that it’s so much easier to get mad at George than face the fact that she just lost the love of her life. Mary needs someone to blame, and since her husband died of health issues, there’s nothing tangible to condemn for this tragedy. Unfortunately, Mary sticks with this beyond Young Sheldon. She continued to grieve for George, and badmouthing him was a less painful way to deal with his death. As Mary reveals ahead of the funeral, she doesn’t plan on marrying again — something that she stood by in The Big Bang Theory.