The characters of The Big Bang Theory potentially have a dark future ahead of them. CBS' long-running sitcom wrapped up its run in 2019 after 12 seasons despite its enduring popularity. The Big Bang Theory ended with an emotionally satisfying finale, with the Pasadena gang coming back to Apartment 4A sharing a meal like they always used to. It's implied that the gang will remain friends moving forward, but despite this, an earlier episode of the show may have proven this to be untrue.

When The Big Bang Theory premiered in 2007, it initially had five main characters: Penny (Kaley Cuoco), Sheldon (Jim Parsons), Leonard (Johnny Galecki), Howard (Simon Helberg), and Raj (Kunal Nayyar). By season 4, CBS decided to expand its cast with Amy (Mayim Bialik) and Bernadette (Melissa Rauch), who were promoted to series regulars. From that point on, the show juggled its larger ensemble with a mix of individual and collective narratives. Admittedly, it had become more focused on Sheldon and his story in later years, but the sitcom always made sure to highlight the gang's friendship regardless of what's happening in their personal lives.

Related: Young Sheldon Creates Another Big Bang Theory Inconsistency

In The Big Bang Theory season 7 episode "The Mommy Observation", the gang (save for Sheldon and Howard) gathered in Apartment 4A following Raj's murder mystery game. They wondered aloud if they would all remain friends in two decades, eventually promising to meet in front of the same building in 20 years to have dinner, regardless of their individual statuses. In the flash-forward sequence that followed, only Stuart Bloom (Kevin Sussman) showed up, implying that none of the main characters stayed true to their pact. The Big Bang Theory ends with something of a promise that the Pasadena gang would always be in touch, making this revelation much darker, as it means that while they all intended to keep their relationships strong, life would ultimately get in the way.

Big Bang Theory Group Final Scene

Before The Big Bang Theory's finale aired, there was speculation about how CBS was going to wrap up the show. One of the most popular theories suggested that someone from the group would have to relocate for a new job opportunity, or possibly for their family. This would have been reminiscent of how Friends ended with Monica (Courteney Cox) and Chandler (Matthew Perry) leaving the city and moving to the suburbs as they raise their twins. It's confirmed that both the Coopers and Hofstadters have children, so it's likely that they eventually leave the apartment building to find bigger homes as their kids grow up. While Howard and Bernadette were settled in the Wolowitzes' family home, depending on Raj's career trajectory he may have even decided to return to India to reunite with his family.

Assuming that these situations happened, then the group would've been forced to go their separate ways, which would make maintaining their friendships tricky. Despite some of the cast members expressing their intentions of doing an HBO Max/Friends-style special, there are currently no active plans in doing a The Big Bang Theory reunion. This means that it might take a while before fans find out what happened to the Pasadena gang—although the lasting popularity of the series suggests there's a good chance it may happen in the future. Perhaps Young Sheldon could offer some insight into this via adult Sheldon's narration. After all, it was through the prequel that Leonard Cooper's existence was confirmed.

More: Young Sheldon Explains Why Sheldon Was Mean To His Big Bang Theory Friends