It’s official: Young Sheldon is leaving Medford, Texas, to pursue his Big Bang Theory future in Pasadena, Calif.
In the sixth-to-last episode of the prequel series, a recently published paper co-authored by the future Dr. Cooper led to a frenzy of grad school recruiting. Harvard, M.I.T., Princeton, Stanford and the University of Toronto all came a-knockin’ with generous offers. But the 14-year-old scientist, who hates change, strongly considered continuing his education at East Texas Tech.
Ultimately it was Sheldon’s mentors, Drs. Sturgis and Linkletter, who told him that he couldn’t stay; he’d already outgrown them, and he owed it to himself — and to science — to spread his wings and go where he’d receive the best education possible.
That night, Sheldon returned home and told George and Mary that he’d reached a decision. That fall, he’d attend… M.I.T., in Boston, Mass. As in… Howard Wolowitz’s future alma mater! And that’s when our narrator chimed in…
“I know what you’re thinking,” Jim Parsons’ older Sheldon said. “Wait for it….”
In the following scene, Sheldon and George Sr. arrived at Boston Logan International Airport. Upon stepping foot outside, they were greeted with face-pummeling snow. Suddenly, Sheldon wasn’t feeling M.I.T.
“Caltech?” he asked.
“Caltech!” Sr. answered.
And that’s the story of how Dr. Sheldon Cooper decided to attend Caltech.
Sheldon’s choice shouldn’t come as much of a surprise — even if you never watched Big Bang. He previously expressed interest in Caltech in Young Sheldon Season 3, Episode 16, when he visited his the university to attend a lecture given by his scientific hero, Stephen Hawking.
“Imagine all the stimulating conversations that must go on at these tables,” Sheldon said at the time. “I can see myself going here one day.”
“I think you’d fit right in,” Dad replied, before the camera panned out to reveal the iconic cafeteria set from Big Bang.
As previously reported, Young Sheldon’s one-hour series finale (airing Thursday, May 16 at 8/7c) will feature cameos by Parsons and Mayim Bialik, who will reprise their on-screen roles as Drs. Sheldon Cooper and Amy Farrah Fowler for the first time since Big Bang Theory’s 2019 series finale.
The Big Bang franchise will then continue in the fall with the first of two planned spinoffs: CBS’ as-yet-untitled Georgie and Mandy spinoff starring Jordan and Emily Osment. Series co-creator Chuck Lorre is also developing a Big Bang Theory offshoot for streaming service Max.
