Young Sheldon’s Weirdest Character Arc Ruined The Big Bang Theory Spinoff’s Biggest Twist

Although Young Sheldon gave one character a perfect arc in season 6, The Big Bang Theory spinoff’s biggest twist was ruined when the show mishandled this twist. Young Sheldon’s finale wasn’t perfect, but most of the show’s main characters did get a chance to say a poignant goodbye to George Sr. after he suddenly died off-screen while at work.

Since Young Sheldon foreshadowed George Sr.’s death as far back as season 1, episode 3, Poker, Faith, and Eggs,” the show had plenty of time to prepare for the tragedy. For many of its main characters, this opportunity didn’t disappoint. Georgie’s tearful comments to his father perfectly set up the storyline of Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage in only a few lines.

When viewers met Georgie’s older self in The Big Bang Theory season 11, episode 23, “The Sibling Realignment,” he was bitter about how much he felt he had to help out Missy and Mary while Sheldon was largely absent from their grief. This was foreshadowed when Georgie promised his late father that he would take care of them as the man of the house.

Missy’s Young Sheldon Rebellion Arc Was Perfect In Season 6

Sheldon’s Twin Rebelled As She Felt Ignored

The ridiculous expectations that George placed on himself in the wake of his father’s tragic passing are clearly depicted here, giving viewers early insight into one of many factors that could have contributed to his breakup with Mandy. Although Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage expands Georgie’s story in many ways, its seeds were still planted in this scene.

Similarly, Mary’s sudden turn to religious zealotry somewhere between the ending of Young Sheldon and the beginning of The Big Bang Theory was set up in the wake of George Sr.’s funeral. The previously reasonable Mary became increasingly bitter, hopeless, and obsessed with the church, meaning The Big Bang Theory’s version of the character now made more sense.

However, although Missy’s rebellious season 6 arc set up her future in The Big Bang Theory well, its ending didn’t fit with season 7’s storyline for her character. In episode 4, “Blonde Ambition and the Concept of Zero,” Missy dyed her hair to look more like Mandy, resulting in disaster.

In episode 9, “College Dropouts and the Medford Miracle,” she brought a boy to Connie’s house instead of asking her parents for permission. In episode 13, “A Frat Party, a Sleepover and the Mother of All Blisters,” she helped Sheldon retrieve Paige from a frat party.

In episode 11, “Ruthless, Toothless, and a Week of Bed Rest,” she confronted George Sr. about his suspected infidelity with Brenda. This rebellion all culminated in episode 15, “Teen Angst and a Smart-Boy Walk of Shame.”

In this outing’s ending, Missy steals her father’s truck and goes on a multi-state joyride with Paige. The plot lasted until the end of the next episode, whereupon Sheldon’s narration intoned that this was only the beginning of Missy’s “Difficult” era.

While Young Sheldon never matched Malcolm in the Middle’s unsentimental depiction of adolescence, this arc did see Missy engage in some genuinely dangerous and worrying behaviour that would cause concern in real life. It was a darker plot than the character usually received, and, as promised, it didn’t end with Missy’s joyride.

Missy’s Redemption Was Reversed In Young Sheldon Season 7

The Spinoff’s Final Outing Ruined Her RedemptionMissy’s rebellion grew more extreme in the latter half of season 6, as she started regularly sneaking out of the house and smoking. This plot led to the season 6 finale, “A Tornado, a 10-Hour Flight and a Darn Fine Ring,” wherein Missy and George Sr. got trapped in a drainage ditch during a tornado and almost died.

The pair survived after George Sr used his body to shield Missy, and Missy tearfully thanked her father while apologizing for her recent rebellion. While Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage did bring back Missy, this was the plot that seemingly set her character growth in stone. The problem was that the show then reneged on this change in season 7.

Sheldon’s twin sister Missy was shortchanged by Young Sheldon’s ending, as season 7 saw her revert to her old rebellious self for no real reason. Throughout season 6, Missy had a superb character arc that fleshed out her character more than her multiple appearances in The Big Bang Theory could ever manage. Angered by Sheldon’s preferential treatment, she began acting out.

This made sense and made her a more sympathetic character, but it also made even more sense when she came to her senses after George Sr.’s near-death experience. Concrete proof that her father would die for her settled Missy’s fears, meaning her increased and continued rebellion in season 7 never added up.

Much like Sheldon’s The Big Bang Theory character development, this arc’s good was undone for the sake of a few gags. When Missy and George Sr almost died in the finale’s tornado, they had a heart-to-heart, and she changed her ways, but in season 7, she threw a wild party at Billy’s house, hid a boyfriend from her father.

Season 7 generally undid all her growth, and this was made worse by the show’s lack of explanation. When Missy was acting out because Sheldon received preferential treatment, her anger was justified and understandable. In season 7, she was simply acting out for the sake of it, and thus she squandered her last days with her father.

Missy’s Young Sheldon Season 7 Story Devalued George Sr.’s Death

The Tragedy Was Cheapened By Her Preceding Storylines