Summary

  • Missy in Young Sheldon evolves from sweet and social to rebellious compared to The Big Bang Theory, revealing a troubled past.
  • Young Sheldon shows a strained relationship between Missy and Sheldon, leading to her anger and refusal to talk to him.
  • Despite a difficult childhood, Missy's compassion and support for Sheldon in The Big Bang Theory highlight her strength of character.

Missy in Young Sheldon is incredibly different from the character initially introduced in The Big Bang Theory, and revelations from the prequel show make many key details about the adult Missy much more endearing. Sheldon's sister rarely visited Pasadena in TBBT, but every time she did, she was nothing but sweet, social, and charming. Missy (played by Courtney Henggeler) was so different from her twin that Sheldon's friends couldn't help but marvel at her. As Young Sheldon delves deeper into her childhood, it became clear that her adult personality was the result of a troubled past.

The biggest changes for Missy in Young Sheldon compared to The Big Bang Theory (other than being played by Reagan Revord) come from her rebellious nature. After being ignored by her parents, Missy attempted to run away from home by stealing George's truck and going on a daring road trip with Paige. While she is eventually caught, brought home, and punished, she continues to act up. While she no longer hangs out with Paige, she essentially replaces her with Pastor Jeff's niece, Tonya, who is a far worse influence, as seen in the Young Sheldon season 6 finale.

Young Sheldon is available to stream on Netflix and Max, and The Big Bang Theory is available on Max.

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Young Sheldon Season 6 Presents A Conflict Between The Siblings That Needs To Be Solved

The Missy Young Sheldon arc experienced some pivotal moments in season 6 that could have meant adult Missy had some animosity toward him by the time of The Big Bang Theory. After getting away with sneaking with Tonya, Sheldon rats Missy out after he catches her leaving again. While she attempts to convince him to keep his mouth shut, the boy genius can't keep a secret that big.

Missy knows Sheldon wasn't being malicious or vindictive with his actions, but that doesn't stop her from being angry at him — to the point that she refuses to talk to him even after he apologizes and explains that he is just worried about her. It's unnerving seeing Missy this angry in Young Sheldon, especially since she historically has been patient and understanding with her twin brother, a trait that carried on into adulthood in The Big Bang Theory.

Not only does she return Sheldon's walkie-talkie, but she also explicitly says that she hates him. Almost every Missy Young Sheldon story has demonstrated that growing up with Sheldon made things difficult for her. Having a twin sibling like Sheldon was never easy, and it would be understandable is their relationship was strained by adulthood. However, when Missy appeared in The Big Bang Theory, she was nothing but sweet and supportive to her brother.

Considering everything she had to go through in her childhood, Missy seemed to eventually accept the harsh reality of being "less special" than her genius twin. Even when Sheldon was still criticizing and humiliating her, both in front of his friends and privately, she kept her cool and decided to brush off every snide comment. This makes her compassion for him in The Big Bang Theory all the more of a credit to her strength of character.

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Missy Calls Out Sheldon's Big Bang Theory Friends' Behavior... And She's Absolutely Right
Amid Sheldon's latest crisis in Young Sheldon, Missy calls out his friends in The Big Bang Theory, and she is exactly right about her criticism.

How Missy & Sheldon Can Patch Things Up In Young Sheldon Season 7

The Show's Final Season Must Bring Missy And Sheldon Closer Together

Iain Armitage as Sheldon Cooper and Raegan Revord as Missy Cooper in Young Sheldon S06

Considering Missy's The Big Bang Theory appearance is a lot more loving than where she and Sheldon left things in season 6 of Young Sheldon, it should be expected that the Cooper twins will eventually patch things up. Sheldon may have to live with the rest of the summer in Germany knowing that Missy is mad at him, but the separation may actually be needed for this situation to be resolved.

The Young Sheldon season 6 finale shows her finally mellowing down on her rebellious act. In any case, Sheldon and Missy have enough time to sort out what happened in Young Sheldon season 7. While Young Sheldon has plenty of continuity problems, the show will surely try to make Missy closer to her Big Bang Theory personality by the time the show ends in season 7.

young-sheldon
Young Sheldon
Comedy

A spinoff of the sitcom The Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon follows the youth and coming-of-age of Sheldon Cooper during his childhood in Texas as he pursues science and academia. The show also follows his parents, siblings, and Mee-Maw, painting a picture of the world where Sheldon grew up.

Release Date
September 25, 2017
Cast
Jim Parsons , Iain Armitage , Annie Potts , Emily Osment
Seasons
6
Writers
Chuck Lorre
Network
CBS
Directors
Jon Favreau