Martin Carr reviews the sixth episode of Young Sheldon…
Young Sheldon continues to bring in the audiences, rack up the ratings and combine with Big Bang to destroy all comers. Touchstones for this week are numerous, endearing, funny and in line with content to date. Armitage, Perry and Barber do the heavy lifting while Potts props everything up with her off kilter Mee Maw. Creators Chuck Lorre and Steven Molaro carry on with the left of centre title tags for each episode, harking back to Big Bang’s overcomplicated episodic abbreviations.
For the unfamiliar, Young Sheldon remains easy to dip in and out of with established dynamics, carefully honed character arcs and gentle progression all evident. Comedy is drawn from nostalgic recollections, Big Bang callbacks and culture clash scenarios. As I said last week not a lot really happens in Young Sheldon which remains half the pleasure of this show. It has been designed as a bolt on of sorts to the older sibling, which means it maintains market share for longer retaining the audience.
People in the press have already stated that the combination of both shows has obliterated any and all competition within that time slot, meaning a season two green light is inevitable. In terms of plotline Big Bang is subtly propping up Young Sheldon as the infrequent touchstones act as reminders rather than character development. This may be the cleverest yet most simple method of show expansion for some time, as it uses the best parts of Big Bang to distract you.
There are no major progressions, no sudden emergencies and dramatic tension is an element Young Sheldon seems able to do without. Armitage has personified Cooper junior to such a degree that there is no longer any questions hanging over the ideas as a whole. For my money Lorre and Molaro have developed, expanded and implemented a great piece of television which is guaranteed to run and run. After my initial reservations last week concerning longevity I think this show has the capability to stand on its own, without the necessity of a prop on any level.
By tapping into the rose-tinted view we all like to maintain about an idyllically remembered childhood, Young Sheldon has evolved into television gold dust. Anyone who thinks CBS are not going to rule the roast for some time with these two shows best think again. Young Sheldon may end up being the reason why people continue with Big Bang in the future, which would inadvertently increase its longevity by default. I bet the networks never saw that coming.
Martin Carr
