As a sitcom, Young Sheldon is full of funny jokes and silly moments at its core. And as The Big Bang Theory spinoff has gone on, Young Sheldon continues to improve. But like any other sitcom, the show also has some serious, emotional moments. It is, after all, about a young boy who is very different from others.
Interestingly, while many of the saddest scenes from the series involve Sheldon, not all of them do. Others in the Cooper family have had their own moments as well.
Mary Realizing She Has Lost Herself
There are many sad things about Mary on Young Sheldon, but a particularly sad fact about her is that she has given up so much of herself for the sake of her family.
Near the end of season 4, it became evident to Mary that she had been neglecting herself and needed to focus on more self-care. It was upsetting to see Mary desperately trying to do things like have a girl's night or change her hair in an effort to find herself beyond being a wife and mother again. It also may be a reflection of the fact that, according to The Big Bang Theory, George began having an affair around this time. This is something that Sheldon admitted he didn't pick up on when he was younger, which means it might already be occurring, triggering Mary's reaction. However, fans aren't privy to it since Young Sheldon is being told from Sheldon's perspective.
Telling Sheldon About Dr. Sturgis
Sheldon had grown so fond of Dr. Sturgis, who became not only one of his first mentors but also a good friend. Having Dr. Sturgis around, someone with whom Sheldon could relate and have intellectual conversations with, was great for his confidence.
However, when Meemaw found out about Dr. Sturgis' mental health condition, and that he had been sent to a psychiatric hospital, the family had to break the news to Sheldon. It was incredibly sad.
Missy Not Being Allowed On The Baseball Team
Missy proved herself to be a formidable baseball pitcher. But back in the '90s, when the series takes place, a girl playing on a boy's baseball team wasn't really common. After Missy learned she could not play simply because she was a girl, she was very upset.
Of course, Meemaw stepped in, yelled at the coach, and got Missy on the team. It was sad that Missy, whom many fans view as the most likable character on Young Sheldon, wasn't able to get on the team from the beginning and had to feel the way she initially did because of it.
Foreshadowing Of George's Death
Since Young Sheldon is a prequel series to The Big Bang Theory, fans already know that Sheldon's father died of a heart attack when Sheldon was 14 and had just gone to college. In a season 4 scene, the death is somewhat foreshadowed.
The elder Sheldon, voiced by Jim Parsons, narrates how he wished he had told his dad a lot of things while he was still around, like how much he appreciated him and loved him. Fans then see a scene where the young Sheldon tells his dad that he enjoyed their supper discussion that night. It was such a simple exchange but clearly one that meant a lot to Sheldon in hindsight, knowing now that he didn't have much more time with his dad.
Seeing Paige Rebel Following Her Parents' Divorce
Paige is Sheldon's biggest competition, a young girl of his age who is seemingly just as smart, if not smarter than him. But after not seeing her for a while, the next time Sheldon runs into Paige, she has changed. She has stopped applying herself, changed her style, and is acting rude.
Seeing her not living up to her full potential as a direct result of her parents' divorce was heartbreaking. Even sadder was seeing Sheldon do his best to comfort Paige, making it one of the few times that Sheldon was relatable as opposed to annoying.
Meemaw Dealing With Her Grief
In one episode, after things are getting serious with Dr. Sturgis, Meemaw gets upset when he puts on one of her husband's old blazers. It's the first time she shows how she still grieves following the loss of her first love.
While Meemaw truly cares for Dr. Sturgis and wants to be with him, getting into a serious relationship still feels wrong to her, despite her husband being gone for some time. It was a very sad and emotional episode.
The Nobel Prize
This was a beautiful scene that tied wonderfully to the end of The Big Bang Theory. Just as Sheldon and Amy were receiving their Nobel Prize in the future in the finale, a younger version of Sheldon is seen sitting and listening to the winner announcements for the Nobel Prize back in the '90s on his own because no one cared to join. Moments like this one are how Young Sheldon changed the way fans view The Big Bang Theory, not to mention Sheldon himself.
What made the scene truly emotional were scenes from elsewhere around the world showing several other kids doing the very same thing, or something similar, on their own too, including a young Leonard, Raj, Howard, and Amy — the people who would later become Sheldon's best friends and wife. But at that moment, each one likely felt very alone in some way.
The Valedictorian Speech
This scene is sad in the sense that it is very sweet but highlights how Sheldon and his twin sister Missy grow apart as they get older. While they couldn't be more different from one another, and Missy picks on Sheldon any chance she gets, they truly did care for and looked out for each other when they were younger.
Sheldon gathers the courage to give his valedictorian speech and move forward to college thanks to a pep talk from Missy. In a selfless moment, he makes sure to thank her publicly during the speech. It is a sad yet heartwarming scene between siblings who were going to grow further and further apart.
When George Yelled At Sheldon About The Refrigerator
While this is a sad scene, it is also one of the most heartwarming moments from Young Sheldon because of what happens after. Refusing to let it go when Sheldon insists he hears a weird sound from the refrigerator that no one else can, he takes it all apart to investigate
George yelling at Sheldon when he discovers the mess and has to pay someone to come put the appliance back together is a sad moment that reminds fans that, as smart as he is, Sheldon is still a child. In the end, Missy gives Sheldon a comforting hug when he needs it most.
When Mary Lost Her Faith
Mary has always been defined as a devoutly religious person who relies on her faith in God and the church to get her through anything. However, in one episode, Mary loses her faith after finding out about the death of a friend's 16-year-old daughter.
Mary tries desperately to find her faith again. In a sad scene, Sheldon joins her while she is reflecting outside on the porch and tries to give her a scientific argument as to the existence of God. It's a sad scene that shows not only how much Sheldon truly loves his mother, but also how much Mary was struggling at the time.