Warning! Spoilers ahead for Young Sheldon season 7, episode 9.

Summary

• Sheldon's pivotal decision in Young Sheldon season 7 highlights the Coopers' lack of investment in his post-grad future.
• Sheldon struggles to choose which school he wants to go after graduating from East Texas Tech.
• The Big Bang Theory finale emphasizes the of the Pasadena gang, rather than his childhood and the Coopers.

Sheldon's decision-making process about where to go for post-grad in Young Sheldon has fixed its storytelling focus issue by shifting the spotlight back to its titular character. Since coming back from , the socially-inept genius has been sidelined to prioritize other characters' stories.

Young Sheldon will likely be the last time that Sheldon's arc will be at the center of The Big Bang Theory universe's storytelling. Because of this, the writers must give him not just a great ending, but also a send-off that ties his fate in the nerd-centric sitcom to his childhood experiences. That involves highlighting how his time in Texas and the Coopers contributed to his eventual success, including his Nobel Prize in Physics win in The Big Bang Theory finale. Despite his big achievement, however, none of his family attended the special moment.

The Coopers Aren’t That Invested In Sheldon’s Caltech Future

Sheldon Will Be On His Own When He Gets To Caltech

In Young Sheldon season 7, episode 9, "A Fancy Article and a Scholarship for a Baby," Sheldon is forced to decide where to go for his post-grad studies. After George and Mary sifted through all his possible options, he is down to a handful of schools. As Sheldon struggles, it becomes clear that none of his family are as invested in this matter, perhaps except George, who lays out all his options for him. Missy and Meemaw don't care, while Georgie is not involved at all. Mary, on the other hand, seems nonchalant for someone who likes meddling.

Earlier in the Young Sheldon season 7 episode, the lack of enthusiasm for Sheldon's achievements is also apparent, emphasizing the idea that the Coopers aren't that invested in him anymore. It isn't because they don't love him, but because he's so smart, it's almost already a given that he will succeed. Unfortunately for them, this also diminishes their importance in any academic achievements in his adult life, including his Nobel Prize in Physics. The only person who really helped him with the project was George, as seen in the Young Sheldon/The Big Bang Theory crossover.

The Big Bang Theory Finale Highlights Sheldon’s Adult Family

Sheldon's Pasadena Gang Changed His Life For The Better.

Instead of Young Sheldon's Coopers, Sheldon was surrounded by his friends, who were essentially his adult family when he won the Nobel in The Big Bang Theory finale. Since Sheldon left home early on, he had to get by during his first years in Pasadena on his own. That all changed when he met Leonard, kickstarting a series of events that resulted in him not having just a social circle but a solid system. Unlike his family, Sheldon's friends weren't obligated to continue tolerating, caring, and loving him. Somehow, this makes their relationship more special.

Young Sheldon season 7 airs every Thursday, 8pm ET on CBS.