Summary

It’s no secret that Penny and Leonard’s final pregnancy arc inThe Big Bang Theory, and luckily, theYoung Sheldonfinale is able to fix it. SinceThe Big Bang Theory’s endwas decided before it entered its last year, Chuck Lorre and his team were able to craft season 12 to set up a satisfying conclusion for the Pasadena gang. Admittedly, there were issues, particularly with how it handled people’s arcs outside of Sheldon and Amy’s bid for the Nobel Prize In Physics. While the newlyweds' plot took up the majority of its time, it left others' arcs ignored.

For what it’s worth,The Big Bang Theorywas already ignoring Leonard and Penny for years before the finale. After they tied the knot, the sitcom stagnated their romance, relegating them to side characters when they were the show’s original love line. To make up for it,The Big Bang Theoryseason 12 introduced Penny and Leonard’s divisive pregnancy arc, where they had conflicting views on having kids. While theYoung Sheldonfinale suggests that Leonard may be dead, at least it’s able to finally make amends for his and his wife’s divisive send-off.

Annie Potts as Meemaw and Craig T. Nelson as Dale in Young Sheldon

Meemaw & Dale’s Fate After Young Sheldon’s Ending Was Already Hinted At In Big Bang Theory

The only time that Meemaw visited Sheldon in The Big Bang Theory revealed what happened to Connie and Dale after the events of Young Sheldon.

Penny’s Young Sheldon Finale Reveal Settles Her Decision About Having Kids

In The Big Bang Theory, Penny Was Adamant About Not Wanting Children

TheYoung Sheldonfinale flashforward offers an update about Penny. Ideally, Kaley Cuoco would have made a physical appearance, but that doesn’t happen. Instead, adult Sheldon and Amy’s conversation reveals that they remain friends with Penny in the future since she comes around to babysit their unnamed daughter. This may not sound unusual, considering the Cooper-Fowlers' relationship with her, but Penny willingly looking after Sheldon and Amy’s kids hints that she was truly happy about becoming a mother despite her initial hesitation. Otherwise, she wouldn’t take the time to babysit — something that she didn’t do with Howard and Bernadette’s kids.

InThe Big Bang Theory, Penny was adamant about not wanting to have kids, but Leonard desired to be a father — to the point that he was willing to be a donor to Zach and Marissa’s child. The show never really spent time showing Penny changing her mind about the matter. Instead,The Big Bang Theoryjust unceremoniously revealed that they were pregnant in the finale. While Penny seemed happy about it, there were concerns about the twist’s messaging. EvenCuoco came out subsequently, saying that she begged the writers to honor her character’s wishes, but they didn’t.

Jim Parsons as Sheldon and Leonard and Howard in The Big Bang Theory

Young Sheldon Ending Solves Sheldon’s Last Remaining Big Bang Theory Plot Hole

In time for its ending, Young Sheldon explains the final remaining major The Big Bang Theory plot hole with regard to Sheldon and his history.

Can Penny Still Return In The Big Bang Theory Universe After Her Young Sheldon Absence?

The Big Bang Theory Franchise Will Continue, But It’s Unlikely Penny Will Be A Core Character In It

Because theYoung Sheldonending is dominated by George’s funeral, there isn’t time to stage a quasi-The Big Bang Theoryreunion. However, bringing in Cuoco for a brief cameo wouldn’t have been difficult to pull off. Now thatYoung Sheldonis done,the chances of seeing Penny again are very limited to none. If they couldn’t convince the actor to return (assuming that they did) in a show that has direct ties toThe Big Bang Theoryand is produced by Jim Parsons, then it’s highly unlikely that she will reprise the role in any of the upcoming spinoffs.

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.

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