Top 10 Heartwarming Family Moments on Young Sheldon
#10: Mitten Off "Pilot"
If there’s one thing we’ve learned about Sheldon over the years, it’s that he’s not a fan of physical contact. During the pilot episode of “Young Sheldon,” this phobia was reinforced by the appearance of his younger self wearing mittens at dinner. Things change, however, when Sheldon’s father speaks to him about rocking the boat at school. George shares his story of being fired from a job for doing the right thing and tells Sheldon how he’s still angry and sad about what happened. At dinner that evening, Sheldon takes off one of his mittens as the family prays, and holds his dad’s hand for the first time. It’s a lovely moment showing us Sheldon’s true heart and warmth for his father.
#9: Talking to an Old Friend "Contracts, Rules and a Little Bit of Pig Brains"
When audiences were first introduced to Meemaw in “Young Sheldon”, we got the gist of just how spunky a senior she really is. Never without some snarky comeback line, or an opinion to share, Connie is one of the most entertaining characters on the show. Still, as snappy as she can be, fans saw a whole other side of her when she went off to visit her late husband’s grave. Discussing her dating life with his headstone, we watch her try to cover up her grief and ache for his companionship with little sarcastic jokes. It’s one of the few times viewers ever get to see this side of Connie and it’s nice to know there’s a lot more underneath those gray locks than killer wit.
#8: A Grammar Lesson "Gluons, Guacamole, and the Color Purple"
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Missy needs help with a grammar assignment and, with no one else around, she’s stuck with asking Georgie. Although neither of them are great academics, the two manage to make their way through the assignment. Now, that alone is certainly sweet, but the real moment comes later. A note slides under Georgie’s door and it’s Missy’s marked grammar assignment. She earned full marks and he smiles proudly before pinning it to his corkboard. Of course, the sibling banter through the door just adds a tad of necessary levity and realism to an otherwise sweet moment.
#7: Rocket Man "A Patch, a Modem, and a Zantac"
In the earlier seasons, it was pretty easy for those who didn’t know Sheldon to dismiss him as just another little kid. One prime example is how a NASA employee belittles him during his guest presentation in Sheldon’s class. So when the tables turn and Sheldon figures out how to solve an “impossible problem”, and NASA refuses to acknowledge it, George packs the family in a car and heads straight to Houston. Older Sheldon may have said a lot of terrible things about his dad, but between his insistence on taking them to NASA and the car ride home, we get to see how, flawed as he might be, this is a man who is willing to go the distance for his son.
#6: Absence & Fondness "A Tummy Ache and a Whale of a Metaphor"
A big part of “Young Sheldon” is watching the inter-dynamics between a young genius, and his otherwise normal family. With his twin sister lacking Sheldon’s academic prowess, Missy would often argue about how Sheldon always seemed to get his way – and how annoying he was for it. But much like many other sibling pairs, their hearts surface in the worst of times. When Sheldon ends up in the hospital, Missy has trouble sleeping at night, especially with her twin’s empty bed looming beside her. Watching her crawl into his bed feels like such a real thing to do and the moment punctuates just how much she loves, cares for, and is worried about her brother.
#5: Missy Apologizes "A Tornado, a 10-Hour Flight and a Darn Fine Ring"
During season six of “Young Sheldon”, Missy crossed the line of adolescent mischief when she stole her dad’s truck and tried to run away. Caught by her parents, she lost her TV, music, and friendship privileges for the foreseeable future. During a car ride home with her father, things take a drastic turn as heavy rain accompanies a tornado warning. Fearing the twister will take the car, the two get out and huddle down in a ditch while the storm passes. When it does, Missy finally breaks down and apologies for everything she’s done. It’s a touching moment between father and daughter showcasing exactly what familial love and forgiveness should look like.
#4: Mr. Spock & Captain Kirk "Pasadena"
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George may know very little about “Star Trek”, but he certainly knew enough to help Sheldon when he was scared of flying. Spooked by the safety demonstration highlighting what could happen while in the air, Sheldon retreats to the lavatory and won’t leave it. Using what limited “trek” knowledge he has, George reminds Sheldon that Mr. Spock wasn’t afraid to fly around in space. He suggests Sheldon pretend he’s Spock and George, taking on the role of the captain, gently orders him back to his seat. It might be a bit unconventional but it’s also incredibly clever and an effective way of calming down his son. Not to mention, it treats Sheldon with compassion and grace, two things that are incredibly helpful to someone who’s in a panic.
#3: Mr. President "A Political Campaign and a Candy Land Cheater"
He might be the coach of a perpetually losing team, but George certainly seems to inspire people. When Sheldon runs for class president, he’s terrified of the idea of having to get up on stage and give a speech to the school. Knowing how worried he is, Sheldon’s father shares how he too was scared of talking to his players the first time. That’s touching on its own but then George goes a step further and highlights how brave Sheldon has been, being so young among a group of teenage kids in high school. It’s just enough to give him the courage he needs to tear down his opponent.
#2: Georgie Skips a Date For Mandy "A German Folk Song and an Actual Adult"
With the arrival of their daughter, Constance, Georgie and Mandy’s relationship has been a bit of a question mark. They aren’t a couple but the history there and the responsibility that comes with having a child together is unavoidable. Despite Mandy’s insistence on Georgie continuing his dating life with Amber, the birth of their daughter shifts their relationship in a way Georgie never saw coming. After breaking things off with Amber, he comes home to Mandy and insists he’d rather be with her and their daughter. It’s a beautiful, soft moment that shows how much Georgie has grown since the start of the show.
#1: Best Trip Ever "Cape Canaveral, Schrödinger's Cat, and Cyndi Lauper's Hair"
With all of the heartfelt moments we’ve seen involving Sheldon’s dad, we’re convinced older Sheldon’s view of his father was skewed by the later years. Time and time again, George found ways to uplift young Sheldon when he needed it. Never was this more evident than when their visit to a shuttle launch was scuttled by bad weather. Knowing his son is disappointed, George uses science questions to distract Sheldon. It all concludes with an even more heart-tugging moment as we hear older Sheldon express his love of that trip and how he never got to share that with his father before he passed away. It’s all the proof we need to know how much he really loved his dad.
