Long-running TV shows often introduce details that don’t immediately become important. For example, in the early seasons of *The Big Bang Theory*, the elevator in the characters’ building was broken. This meant Sheldon, Leonard, and Penny had to climb multiple flights of stairs in every episode. Instead of fixing it, the show used those stair climbs as a chance for funny and heartfelt conversations. The broken elevator became a running gag and a key part of the show, lasting all the way until the second-to-last episode.
As a long-time viewer, I’ve always been amazed by long-running jokes, but *The Big Bang Theory* really takes the cake. They didn’t just resolve a running gag after a lot of episodes – they waited 278 episodes for *one* bit they introduced way back in season one! But that’s nothing compared to a huge storyline they started in the very first season. It took over 400 episodes, and even needed a spin-off show, to fully wrap up! It all revolves around Sheldon and his inability to be honest about something from his past.
The Big Bang Theory Makes Sheldon’s Dad Out to Be the Worst
Sheldon is self-absorbed and loves to talk about himself, despite his lack of interest in others. In Season 1, Episode 4, “The Luminous Fish Effect,” he gets fired from Caltech, and Leonard’s solution is to have their mother, Mary Cooper, visit. She motivates Sheldon to get back to work, but her visit also reveals shocking news: the death of Sheldon’s father, George Cooper Sr. As the series unfolds, we learn that George died of a heart attack just as Sheldon was starting college.
Losing a parent is incredibly difficult for anyone, but it affects Sheldon deeply, especially considering his complicated relationship with his father. He often shares stories painting his father as someone who was quick to argue and easily angered. However, towards the end of *The Big Bang Theory*, Sheldon begins to see his father in a new light, which makes sense because he learns more about what family life was truly like for the Coopers.
Young Sheldon Reveals the Truth About George Cooper Sr.
The show *Young Sheldon* is a prequel to *The Big Bang Theory*, focusing on Sheldon Cooper’s childhood. The series also highlights his family and their experiences raising a gifted son. Sheldon’s father, George, is a constant source of support, even if he doesn’t always understand what Sheldon is saying. Their bond deepens throughout the show, culminating in Season 7 as Sheldon prepares for college. George helps him choose the right school and even considers moving nearby for him, but tragically, George passes away in Episode 12, “A New Home and a Traditional Texas Torture.”
Growing up without his father meant Sheldon threw himself into his studies, and his family back in Texas had to cope with the fallout. This explains why, at the start of *The Big Bang Theory*, he kept his distance from his relatives. He was still dealing with grief and didn’t know how to process the pain. Thankfully, over the course of 400 episodes, he realizes his mistake and finally acknowledges the support and love his family – especially his father – gave him, as shown in the final episode of *Young Sheldon*.
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2025-10-15 18:03