How The Big Bang Theory delivered an emotionally satisfying finale. In it, Sheldon (Jim Parsons) and Amy (Mayim Bialik) won the Nobel Prize in Physics, meanwhile, Leonard (Johnny Galecki) and Penny (Kaley Cuoco) were revealed to be pregnant with their first kid.
ittedly, the decision to end the sitcom came as a massive surprise. It was still a rating monster for CBS, and just several weeks before the announcement was made, the network was discussing ordering at least another year. The verdict boiled down to Parson's choice to exit The Big Bang Theory; he felt that they'd explored everything in of his character and it was simply time to move on. His co-stars were all willing to return for season 13, but instead of moving forward with an incomplete cast, they all decided that it was best to wrap it up altogether.
Six years before the show bowed out, Jim Parsons told the Big Bang Theory cast that he had no intentions of coming back for season 13. That's despite the massive pay packet they were getting, not to mention the continued popularity of the show.
This only strengthens the idea that there wouldn't be The Big Bang Theory without Parsons' Sheldon Cooper. While the sitcom started as an ensemble, and technically, it was still supposed to be when it ended, the socially inept genius was its true main lead. Most major narratives revolved around his personal or professional life. This was what happened in The Big Bang Theory's final season; much of it was devoted to the Coopers' bid to win the Nobel Prize in Physics for their work in Super Asymmetry. The show put a lot of focus into this overarching plot, essentially relegating the rest of the cast as ing characters. Meanwhile, in the rare episodes that this wasn't the case, Sheldon was still a pivotal part of the storyline. Case in point: when he factored in Howard (Simon Helberg) and Bernie's (Melissa Rauch) struggles with their neighbor.
Long-time fans of The Big Bang Theory have had various opinions regarding the sitcom eventually becoming more Sheldon-centric. Considering the fact that he's the most interesting out of the Pasadena gang, it's understandable that the show wanted to highlight him as much as possible. But it shouldn't have been at the expense of other characters. This aforementioned interview only solidified the notion that even as early as 2013, the producers knew that Sheldon was their most important figure.