'Young Sheldon' Is Growing Up, and at 100 Episodes, so Are the Show's More Mature Storylines

[left-of-center2012]

“Young Sheldon” isn’t so young anymore — and as the hit CBS comedy marks its 100th episode, the series is growing up along with its title star. Co-creator and executive producer Steve Molaro told Variety that as Sheldon, played by Iain Armitage, enters his teenage years and starts attending college, more grown-up storylines have started to reflect that change.

“It’s hard to believe that we started out the pilot [in 2017] when Iain was eight years old,” Molaro said. “And Raegan Revord, who plays Missy, was eight or nine. So we’ve come a long way. Back then we were doing more family-oriented stories and kid-friendly stories because we had two nine-year-olds on the show. But now that they’re young adults (Georgie) and teenagers (Sheldon and Missy), we’re finding we can really open up the kinds of stories we’d like to tell and let things get more adult with everybody. And that evolution has been really fun for us.”

In particular, Montana Jordan — who plays Sheldon’s older brother, Georgie, on the show — is now 19 (while his character is 17). A major, life-defining event happens to Georgie at the end of Thursday night’s episode, which will signal another new direction for the show. “We’re going to continue to dig in on that storyline as we move forward,” Molaro said.

“It feels like the show is growing along with the kids,” he said. “One of the most satisfying experiences is getting to watch these three young actors just get better and better by the episode. And being able to handle these stories. … As actors they’ve all come such a long way. Montana has just been so amazing in Season 5. We threw a lot at that kid, and he just stepped up and crushed it. Iain’s always been amazing. And Raegan, too, we’ve given her more emotional stuff to play, and she just has risen up and handled it like a pro. It’s fun, as a fan of the show, to watch all the characters, and especially the kids, rise up to these challenges.”

https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/young-sheldon-grown-up-storylines-100-episodes-1235220099/

Warner Bros. Television's "Young Sheldon" celebrated their 100th episode on set
(the episode aired Thursday, March 31 on CBS).
Michael Simon/startraksphoto.com

[sanatanadharma]

1. Old Sheldon, The Petulant Philosopher"

There was an episode wherein young Sheldon was challenged by a philosophy teacher. I see that as the take off point for a new show, The "Alternative Sheldon"

Sheldon pursues philosophy, becomes a professor, an ethicist; for elder Sheldon, that is perfect because no one wants to talk ethics and philosophers are never invited to parties. However, because the answers to life's questions, as in physics, continue to elude, Sheldon becomes jaded.

The same big questions can be pursued, like "what the hell is consciousness anyway"? and "do we need Gods to be good?"
Some of the first show's tropes, characters, places could be used, like Sheldon renting a flat from Penny and Leonard.
Eastern and western philosophies might clash with a new, more alpha maharaj, the swami-acharya of the yoga center on the ground floor.
And of course the answers to the ancient questions of mind and matter will certainly be found, in next week's episode.

Old Sheldon, The Petulant Philosopher"
If any of you know those, who know how to run with idea, go for it.
But take care running because ideas, like scissors, can stab one.