Martin Carr reviews the seventh episode of Young Sheldon…
This series continues to defy description in its construction, execution and pure optimism. Each episode hinges on minor character moments which gel together and feel so familiar it’s ridiculous. This pint-sized vignette of scenarios held in place by common elements makes everything look so easy. Plotlines are laughably thin, while characters continue evolving, given breadth by subtle moments of progression which make any story almost superfluous.
Dramatic tension comes from good-natured fighting over cooking instructions, which give rise to friction, resolution and a Sheldon specific epiphany. Such is the skill with which these elements are bound together that you barely notice the time passing. As usual call backs to Big Bang are present and correct, while this cast delivers another solid supporting role around our central protagonist.
Much has been made of Young Sheldon’s success not least of all by yours truly, who no longer feels the need to analysis rather than just enjoy. As with the best of sit-coms Lorre and Molaro have made these characters loveably flawed in comparison to Armitage’s mini mastermind. I have waxed lyrical in previous reviews about the quality of the casting on Young Sheldon but feel the need to mention it one more time. For a show like this to work things must be great across the board, not only perfectly cast, infinitely engaging and realistically realised, but these must work together. That is the trick which needed accomplishing from the outset in order for Young Sheldon to work.
In Iain Armitage they found the perfect personification of a miniaturised Jim Parsons, who so embodies his role that moving beyond that might prove problematic later on. Elsewhere Potts, Perry and Barber work hard filling out their respective parental roles, Raegan Revord and Montana Jordan as Missy and George senior respectively adding something else.
They might have minor roles but their contribution is nonetheless essential. Playing instigator and foil to their sibling both actors have done a lot to wordlessly fill in the blanks. Staying within the realms of stereotype but giving each character enough originality to tie scenes together. This might seem like false praise but to be involved in a moment and enrich rather than distract is not easy. Which is why this cast is fast becoming a truly great ensemble showing the ability to carry Young Sheldon week on week and make it entertaining.
Martin Carr
