Best Episodes Of Young Sheldon, Ranked By IMDb

It might have taken Young Sheldon a little bit to find its footing when it first began, but The Big Bang Theory‘s prequel spinoff has come a long way since in finding its own voice and passionate fanbase. Chronicling the youth of the beloved and quirky Dr. Sheldon Cooper, Young Sheldon is similar in many ways to iconic sitcoms like The Wonder Years.

But the series is also distinctly its own, thanks to the quirkiness of its main characters, like Missy and Meemaw, and the warmth with which it depicts the central Cooper family’s love for one another, no matter their many differences.

10 “Hobbitses, Physicses, And A Ball With Zip” (8.1)

In the third season episode, “Hobbitses, Physicses, and a Ball with Zip,” many of the series’ main characters have quite a lot on their plate. In particular, Sheldon finds himself struggling with what to do with his time after his love of science gets him into trouble.

Meanwhile, Meemaw struggles with what it feels like to be dumped after Dr. Sturgis breaks up with her, all while George Sr. secretly develops a friendship with the adorable Doctor.

9 “A Patch, A Modem, And A Zantac” (8.1)

In the early season one episode, “A Patch, a Modem, and a Zantac,” Young Sheldon offers a real glimpse of the formidable genius that Sheldon Cooper will grow up to become. In this episode, Sheldon takes on a representative from NASA, determined to prove that his scientific theories are correct.

Poor little Sheldon is so determined, in fact, that he gives himself an ulcer in the process – hence the “Zantac” in the episode title. But as it turns out, Sheldon is, in fact, quite far ahead of his time, as confirmed in an episode ending glimpse of Elon Musk using Sheldon’s notes in the future.

8 “A Research Study And Czechoslovakian Wedding Pastries” (8.1)

The relationship between Sheldon and his twin sister, Missy, is one that was only glimpsed at in The Big Bang Theory. But it’s the relationship at the heart of this endearing second season episode, “A Research Study and Czechoslovakian Wedding Pastries.”

At the suggestion of none other than the lovable Dr. Sturgis, the Cooper family enrolls Sheldon and Missy into a scientific study analyzing the behaviors of twin siblings. In the process, both kids’ strengths and weaknesses are highlighted, and Mary is given a rare look into the inner workings of Missy’s mind, in particular.

7 “A Proposal And A Popsicle Stick Cross” (8.1)

Young Sheldon might be a sitcom, but the second season episode, “A Proposal and a Popsicle Stick Cross,” covers some impressively serious territory, all while maintaining the series’ humor and warmth.

In this episode, the Cooper family welcomes and protects Georgie’s friend, Veronica, who is struggling while living at home with her mother and her mother’s abusive boyfriend. Meanwhile, Meemaw and Dr. Sturgis’s relationship reaches a pivotal point when Dr. Sturgis proposes to a very caught off guard Meemaw.

6 “Pongo Pygmaeus And A Culture That Encourages Spitting” (8.2)

The third season episode, “Pongo Pygmaeus and a Culture that Encourages Spitting,” is a rare episode that perfectly balances plots that focus on each of the Cooper twins. Missy, in particular, gets some great story and development in the episode, which finds her tackling sexism and bullying once she starts playing baseball.

In the meantime, Sheldon once again bites off so very much more than he can chew when he discovers the world of online physics forums. The hilarious storyline offers a glimpse of the smart alec Sheldon will become when it comes to debating friends and colleagues alike.

5 “Pasadena” (8.2)

“Pasadena” is truly an incredible episode of Young Sheldon, not least of all because it focuses on the relationship between Sheldon and his father, George Sr. George Sr. accompanies Sheldon on a trip to visit CalTech in Pasadena, which will, of course, be the place where Sheldon finds his career.

The episode includes many quiet, beautiful moments of growth between the very different father and son, but it’s arguably the episode’s final moment – which finds George and Sheldon reflecting on the very cafeteria where Sheldon will eat with his friends years later – that brings on the waterworks.

4 “Graduation” (8.2)

Originally intended to be the third season finale prior to the pandemic enforced production shutdown, “Graduation” also works perfectly as a fourth season premiere, signaling the major transition that the series is about to take as Sheldon moves from the world of high school to college.

Throughout the episode, Sheldon finds himself struggling to confront the many changes coming his way, and even wonders if he’s ready for college, after all. In the end, it’s a touching moment with Missy, the most unlikely source of wisdom and comfort, that finally convinces Sheldon he’s ready to take this next important step.

3 “An 8-Bit Princess And A Flat Tire Genius” (8.2)

The relationship between Sheldon and his beloved Meemaw is arguably the best dynamic in the world of Young Sheldon, and few episodes showcase this better than the adorable second season episode, “An 8-Bit Princess and a Flat Tire Genius.” There’s also a subplot about Georgie discovering his talents in the world of cars, but that’s hardly the highlight.

Instead, the plot that elevates this episode above so many others is the one in which Sheldon and Meemaw bond over their newfound love of the video game, The Quest for Adera. It’s an entirely adorable storyline that finds Sheldon and his grandmother connecting over the nerdiest of pursuits and spending more time together than ever before.

2 “A Secret Letter And A Lowly Disc Of Processed Meat” (8.5)

As the unplanned third season finale, “A Secret Letter and a Lowly Disc of Processed Meat” surprisingly works very well. The central conflict at the heart of this episode is a truly shocking one: Mary has been hiding the fact that Sheldon has been invited to attend college early.

And in another adorable glimpse of what Sheldon will love to do as an adult, Sheldon makes a video presenting his case as to why he should be allowed to go to college early – which works.

1 “A Swedish Science Thing And The Equation For Toast” (8.8)

Originally airing on the same night as the series finale of The Big Bang Theory, the second season finale, “A Swedish Science Thing and the Equation for Toast,” had high expectations for how it would stick the landing of its own season. And the episode delivered in every possible way.

Featuring an adorable storyline with Sheldon and Dr. Sturgis waiting to learn the results of the Nobel Prize, as well as Dr. Sturgis’s heartbreaking mental health episode, the episode is packed from start to finish. But it’s the closing sequence – which provides a glimpse of every main The Big Bang Theory character as a child – that cements the episode’s place in the series’ history.

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