You’re not alone in feeling the loss – the beloved fictional dad of TV, George Cooper, has left us. But could the hardest death in Young Sheldon have a purpose? For actor Lance Barber, the decision was clear.
If there is one moment from this year’s television that many viewers might prefer to avoid revisiting, it’s the heartbreaking death of George in the Young Sheldon Season 7 finale. In Episode 13, the town of Medford gathered to mourn his passing, leaving no eye dry.
This development means that George will not be featured in the upcoming spinoff Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage. While this thought is indeed gut-wrenching, Barber fully supports the choice to write his character off.
But why so firm in that belief? The answer is straightforward – the audience was already aware of George’s fate. Thanks to Sheldon’s recollections in The Big Bang Theory, we learned about George’s demise long before the events of the main series unfolded.
Even though we may feel we haven’t had enough of George, there is a silver lining in this outcome for Barber.
“George got to ride out the entire seven seasons, which was always the intention,” he explained. “I had my concerns that my time might come early. However, as an actor, I was fortunate to experience the complete run of the show.”
“It culminated around that tragic moment while coinciding with Sheldon’s transition to college – it made perfect sense. It felt natural and poignant for the series to conclude in such a memorable fashion.”
Fans of The Big Bang Theory will recognize that the George Cooper we met through Sheldon’s nostalgia and the George we adored in Young Sheldon were distinctly different characters. The original series depicted George as an abusive alcoholic, which starkly contrasts with the more nuanced portrayal in Young Sheldon.
“There was definitely an exploration into why George evolved so significantly,” Barber noted. “By the time Young Sheldon was created, Chuck Lorre was determined to present George as a more relatable character.”
“As we mature, our perspective on our parents changes. George had his shortcomings, which were enjoyable to portray. He wasn’t a flawless father; he was a father who genuinely tried, and that’s what resonated with the audience.”
While George’s departure from Young Sheldon may forever leave a void, his legacy continues, possibly extending into the upcoming sequel.
Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage premieres on October 17.
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