Young Sheldon:
The Complete Series review by Bobby Blakey
One of the biggest sitcoms on TV was The Big Bang Theory that ended its 12-year run in 2019, but didn’t leave fans hanging. In 2017 the prequel series Young Sheldon hit the airwaves starring Iain Armitage, Zoe Perry, Lance Barber, Annie Potts, Montana Jordan, Raegan Revord and Jim Parsons reprising the role from The Big Bang Theory as the narrator. In 2024 the series came to an end after seven seasons and now you can bring the entire series home with Young Sheldon: The Complete Series.
​
Young Sheldon follows nine-year-old Sheldon Cooper, who struggles with growing up in East Texas. Being a once-in-a-generation mind capable of advanced mathematics and science isn't always helpful in a land where church and football are king. While the vulnerable, gifted and somewhat naïve Sheldon deals with the world, his very normal family must find a way to deal with him. His father, George, is struggling to find his way as a high school football coach and as father to a boy he doesn't understand. Sheldon's mother, Mary, fiercely protects and nurtures her son in a town where he just doesn't fit in. Sheldon's older brother, Georgie, does the best he can in high school, but it's tough to be cool when you're in the same classes with your odd nine-year-old brother. Sheldon's twin sister, Missy, who sometimes resents all the attention Sheldon
gets, but also remains the one person who can reliably tell Sheldon the truth. Finally, there’s Sheldon’s beloved Meemaw, his foul-mouthed, hard-drinking Texas grandmother who’s supportive of her grandson and his unique gifts.
​
The entire cast is great in the show, and it was genius casting of Zoe Perry as Sheldon’s mother that some may not know is the real-life daughter of Laurie Metcalf who portrayed his mother on the Big Bang Theory. Like most I really didn’t think this show was a very good idea, but I was so wrong. It offers up a Wonder Years kind of vibe while still being its own thing. Iain Armitage is so great as young Sheldon. He fully captures the essence of the character, and you really believe this was his childhood. The addition of Jim Parsons narrating just adds to the fun of it all and reminds you where this all came from.
​
Each episode is funnier than the next but still offers up some heartwarming moments as the often-confused Sheldon tries to make his way through the world like only he can. One of the best parts of the series for me is his relationship with his grandmother played by the always great Annie Potts. She truly loves him and understands how to deal with him while still not taking his nonsense and in turn creates for a lot of great moments between the two. This was a surprise show that not only continues to expand the legacy of Sheldon, but also makes The Big Bang Theory all the better with nods to moments in the show throughout the years.
​
As the show progressed it became about more than just Sheldon and let the rest of the cast shine in their own storylines. This allowed it not just to repeat itself and the Sheldon theme all the time without veering away from the character and his unique persona. There are some moments that felt like it didn’t perfectly line up with the elements of stuff from The Big Bang Theory, but its easily accepted in the way it is executed. Knowing where some of the elements are heading leaves you anticipating the good and the bad and how they get there, but one of the hardest hitting moments in the final season still punches you right in the face with its perfect execution.
​
I know some people didn’t like some of the later seasons, but I for one enjoyed the majority of the series. I was surprised to find that one of my favorite storylines was the Georgie and Mandy relationship that clearly worked well enough to be getting its own spin-off series Georgie and Mandy’s First Marriage in 2024. This unnecessary show ended up being the perfect companion series that was filled with heart, laughs, pain, struggle and everything in between all wrapped in the awkwardness of Sheldon Cooper.
​
This collection offers up all 141 episodes of the series and a featurette looking back on the series’ journey through the eyes of the cast and producers. Grab your copy of Young Sheldon: The Complete Series available now from Warner Bros Discovery Home Entertainment.