The Big Bang Theory executive producer and writer Steve Molaro regrets one important plot point reveal because of Young Sheldon. In 2017, CBS premiered The Big Bang Theory's one and only spinoff, and as its title suggests, Young Sheldon tackles Sheldon's childhood in Texas with his family before he moved to Pasadena to attend Caltech. Because of The Big Bang Theory's established canon, its prequel is now forced to follow continuity even when it doesn't serve its own storytelling. It has ignored several plotlines deemed insignificant, but some are integral to Sheldon's story, so it'd be difficult not to include them.
That includes George's upcoming cheating scandal, which caused Sheldon's compulsion to knock three times before entering a room. As revealed in Jessica Radloff's book, The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series, this is a detail that Molaro regrets now that Young Sheldon has no choice but to tackle a rather dark narrative in a typically lighthearted family comedy. Read his full quote below:
I think the real answer is, we were just trying to find a way to add some weight and importance to the scene when he said it, and that was a way to do it. Had I known it would end up having an impact on Young Sheldon, I might have thought twice about it. [Laughs]
When Will Young Sheldon Tackle George’s Cheating Scandal?
According to Sheldon's confession to Penny on The Big Bang Theory season 10, he caught his dad in bed with another woman when he was 13 years old. Since then, Sheldon started knocking three times just to make sure he doesn't see something he shouldn't be seeing. It was a surprisingly emotional backstory for one of Sheldon's most prominent habits, but it is now causing problems for Young Sheldon, because the show is mandated to tackle this rather dark narrative.
For context, Sheldon is now roughly 12 or 13 years old. Depending on Young Sheldon's storytelling pace, this unfortunate incident could happen sometime in season 6 or early season 7. CBS started laying the groundwork for the Cooper patriarch's infidelity storyline when he developed attraction for their neighbor, Brenda Sparks. Granted that nothing has happened to them just yet, it establishes the fact that George is capable of having feelings towards women other than his wife. It didn't help that his and Mary's marriage has also been going through a rough patch for quite a while now.
Can Young Sheldon Escape George’s Affair?
Young Sheldon has broken The Big Bang Theory continuity so many times now that it's almost expected. Given this, there have been calls for CBS to skip George's affair and subsequent death altogether, so the prequel spinoff can continue for several more years. George's impending cheating scandal and eventual death will undoubtedly change the overall tone and dynamic of Young Sheldon. Perhaps it may even mark the end of it. Naturally, CBS wants the series to be on the air for as long as possible, considering how popular it has become, but it needs to choose whether it wants to preserve The Big Bang Theory canon or prioritize its own storytelling.
Young Sheldon season 6 airs Thursdays on CBS.
Source: The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series