Summary
Leonard may be dead, and I am sad about it, but his demise paves the way for Penny’s return inThe Big Bang Theoryspinoff. Despite the decision toendYoung Sheldonat the height of its success, Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady’s universe will thrive with a new spinoff on the way. Born out of what I believe is,Young Sheldon’s most unexpected original storyline,Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriagewill tackle the couple’s arc as newlyweds and parents to Baby Cece. What’s often overlooked, however, is that there’s a secondThe Big Bang Theoryspinoff on the way.
Before I get to the actual point of this article, I’d like to officially apologize for bringing up the idea that Leonard may be dead. I wrote the first article that cited how theYoung Sheldonfinale suggested that Leonard could be gone. It became viral and spawned multiple other pieces, but the idea originated from my piece onScreen Rant. To be clear, I want Sheldon’s best friend alive. But, I couldn’t ignore the clues hinting at his demise. If it’s any consolation, I’m here again to point out that something good may come out of Leonard’s death.
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Johnny Galecki’s Retirement Makes It Almost Impossible For Leonard To Return In The Big Bang Theory Spinoff
After The Big Bang Theory, Galecki Pretty Much Stopped Acting
AfterThe Big Bang Theoryended, Galecki stepped away from acting and hasn’t returned since. He is currently in an unofficial retirement from Hollywood, opting to focus on his family life. This iswhy David hasn’t returned inThe Conners, which is a bummer for me because it forced theRoseannespinoff to ruin the character. This is the reason why it’s almost impossible for him to reprise his role as Leonard inThe Big Bang Theoryuniverse in any capacity. Considering their characters' connection, I’m convinced it makes it difficult for Kaley Cuoco’s Penny to be involved without him.
Once again, I don’t want Leonard dead. But, considering the circumstances, especially afterYoung Sheldoncreated so many plot holes during its 7-year run, Lorre and his team must be more careful with the way they handleThe Big Bang Theorycanon moving forward. George and Mandy’s First Marriagedoesn’t have as big of a problem because not much was revealed about their relationship in the nerd-centric sitcom. However, the nextThe Big Bang Theoryspinoff will likely be heavily connected to the Los Angeles-based comedy, which requires a more careful approach.
Leonard’s Death Clears Penny’s The Big Bang Theory Spinoff Return Path
Kaley Cuoco Can Return As Penny Without Raising Too Many Questions
The Big Bang Theorydid lay out the foundation for Leonard possibly dying young. I remember so many episodes and funny bits in the sitcom centered around his allergies and bouts with asthma, among others. As sad as I am to think about the Pasadena gang losing a member, this may be the easiest way to bring Penny back toThe Big Bang Theoryuniverse. For starters, Lorre can recruit Cuoco, who is still very active in the business, to reprise her famous role for the upcoming spinoffwithout having to deal with questions about Leonard’s absence.
Before Sheldon took over The Big Bang Theory and became its focal point, Penny and Leonard shared the spotlight with him.
ConsideringGeorgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, which is technically more of aYoung Sheldonsequel spinoff, I believe that the secondThe Big Bang Theoryoffshoot will be something more directly tied to the nerd-centric sitcom. Before Sheldon took overThe Big Bang Theoryand became its focal point, Penny and Leonard shared the spotlight with him. With Parsons more likely done recentlyending Sheldon’s 17-year stint on TVand Galecki inactive, Penny’s appearance may be the only major way to lean on the show’s original trio. Anything less than that may not feel as exciting.
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Leonard’s Death Can Preserve His And Penny’s Love Story
It’s no secret thatPenny and Leonard’s final years inThe Big Bang Theorywere lackluster. Personally, I believe that after they got married, the show ran out of ideas for them. Instead of being its main love line and primary protagonists, they were relegated to being a support system for Sheldon and Amy’s story. This persisted for years until season 12 manufactured their pregnancy debacle that seemingly came out of nowhere. Luckily for me, theYoung Sheldonfinale’s Penny referencewas enough to convince me that she eventually came around to being a mother.
Admittedly,The Big Bang Theoryspinoff can find other ways to explain Leonard’s absence. He may have moved out of the country for work or he and Penny may have split up. However, I fear that these are actually sadder ways to go about it, considering the couple’s controversial ending inThe Big Bang Theory. Leonard was the one who wanted children, but both of these options would suggest that Penny was left to raise the kid by herself for the most part. Even if they co-parent, the majority of the burden would likely be on Penny as their son/daughter’s mother.
Granted that their child may be a bit older at the time of the upcoming spinoff, but he/she would still need guidance, especially as he/she navigates the tricky teenage years. If Leonard is dead inThe Big Bang Theoryuniverse, then it means that his absence wasn’t his decision. He and Penny remained in love until the very end, but he was just forced to leave her. Somehow,the trajectory is similar to Sheldon’s parentsafter George died inYoung Sheldonseason 7.
Leonard’s Death Would Explain Sheldon Not Mentioning His Best Friend In Young Sheldon
Adult Sheldon Never Mentioned Leonard In The Big Bang Theory Prequel
I watched every episode ofYoung Sheldon— others multiple times, and throughout its run, and not once did Jim Parsons' narration mention Leonard. That’s so odd, considering that he even recruited Howard to take part in it when he told the true story of why he hates engineering. In theYoung Sheldonfinale, it was officially confirmed that Sheldon had been working on his memoir all along, which again raised questions about the lack of any kind of reference to his best friend.
Assuming that Leonard is really gone, then that would explain why Sheldon hadn’t talked about him in his autobiography.
Assuming that Leonard is really gone, then that would explain why Sheldon hadn’t talked about him in his autobiography. Despite his intellect, the socially inept genius struggles to process big and difficult emotions. As seen in thefuneral of George in theYoung Sheldonfinale(and the death of Professor Proton inThe Big Bang Theory), Sheldon may have blocked the pain of losing his best friend to cope. That way, he didn’t have to deal with it.
Young Sheldon
Cast
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.
The Big Bang Theory
The Big Bang Theory: This sitcom follows a group of socially awkward scientists and their interactions with each other and the people around them. Centered on physicists Sheldon and Leonard, the series humorously explores friendship, romance, and the quirks of life among an eclectic group of academics.
