Blu-ray

Published on November 11th, 2018 | by Tony Smith

Young Sheldon Season One Blu-ray Review

The Big Bang Theory is insanely popular across the globe and given its popularity, I was expecting a spin-off sooner rather than later. Nonetheless and 11-years later with its main show about to finish, here we are with the new series based on Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons) from The Big Bang Theory when he was a child. Entitled Young Sheldon with narration by Jim Parsons who plays the adult version of this character, this show attempts and succeeds at setting the scene as to how Sheldon become who he is today.

Sure it’s a cliché and its producers use all sorts of sitcom tricks for laughs but somehow it works and it is quite enjoyable to watch as Sheldon interacts with his family and friends. The younger Sheldon Cooper is played by Iain Armitage who perfectly captures the quirkiness of his adult counterpart, however adds his own unique twist to the character. More importantly, when you see the young Sheldon Cooper, you actually believe its him.

Adding to the interesting premise of this series is Sheldon’s family that include brother Georgie (Montana Jordan), sister Missy (Raegan Revord) plus parents Mary (Zoe Perry) and George Snr (Lance Barber) who all have a great onset chemistry. While the stories can be forced and contrived at times,the chemistry between the actors (which shows), helps alleviate some of the forced elements. Furthermore, there’s some wickedly funny scenes throughout the first season that had us in hysterics.

As the family is looking out for their quirky Sheldon, he is also looking out for them in his own peculiar way and I enjoyed how some of the episodes focused on what happened in the original series in terms of making Sheldon the pedantic man he is today. Given that, some of the episodes revolved around him wanting his first computer, his love of Star Trek, including amusing elements like Sheldon choking on a sausage and then refusing solids or how he tries to keep away from germs when the flu hits. It’s fun seeing his hobbies and mannerisms translate to adulthood.

Young Sheldon Season One Episode Listing

• Pilot
  9-year-old Sheldon Cooper learns that having a brilliant mind doesn’t always help growing up in Texas.
• Rockets, Communists, and the Dewey Decimal System
  To appease his worried mother, Sheldon employs the techniques of a self-help book to try and make a friend.
• Poker, Faith and Eggs
  George Sr. is rushed to the emergency room; Meemaw comes to baby-sit; the kids have an adventure getting to the hospital on their own.
• A Therapist, a Comic Book, and a Breakfast Sausage
  Sheldon fears solid food after choking on a sausage; Sheldon discovers his first comic book.
• A Solar Calculator, a Game Ball, and a Cheerleader’s Bosom
  Sheldon struggles with newfound popularity after utilizing statistics to help the football team. Georgie feels sidelined by Sheldon’s Popularity.
• A Patch, a Modem, and a Zantac
  When Sheldon’s suggestion on landing the rocket booster back is not taken seriously by a NASA scientist, he decides to pursue theoretical physics and works out the full details to prove his point.
• A Brisket, Voodoo, and Cannonball Run
  The kids brainstorm ways to resolve a family feud when Meemaw refuses to give George Sr. her brisket recipe.
• Cape Canaveral, Schrödinger’s Cat, and Cyndi Lauper’s Hair
  While Mary, Memaw and Missy have their girls night at the salon, the three Cooper men plan their road trip to see the space launcher, but it doesn’t go as well as they plan.
• Spock, Kirk, and Testicular Hernia
  Young Sheldon has to teach his brother for the test, and in doing so, he learns some skills from his brother.
• An Eagle Feather, a String Bean, and an Eskimo
  When Sheldon moves to Dallas to attend a school for gifted children, the family struggles to cope with his absence.
• Demons, Sunday School, and Prime Numbers
  Sheldon is sent to Sunday school when Mary catches him playing Dungeons and Dragons with his friends.
• A Computer, a Plastic Pony, and a Case of Beer
  Sheldon asks for a computer and unknowingly sparks an argument between Mary and George Sr. over the family’s finances.
• A Sneeze, Detention, and Sissy Spacek
  As flu season hits Medford, Sheldon takes extreme measures to remain healthy.
• Potato Salad, a Broomstick, and Dad’s Whiskey
  Sheldon and Missy are left home alone for the first time when Mary takes a job as a church secretary.
• Dolomite, Apple Slices, and a Mystery Woman
  Sheldon makes friends with an upperclassmen learning a new field of science. Meanwhile, George Sr. and Mary have a disagreement on Sheldon’s new social life.
• Killer Asteroids, Oklahoma, and a Frizzy Hair Machine
  After Sheldon lost the competition in the science fair he lost his edge and passion and found his new comfort zone in acting.
• Jiu-Jitsu, Bubble Wrap, and Yoo-Hoo
  Sheldon is being followed around by a bully and must find a way to use self defense to fight back
• A Mother, a Child, and a Blue Man’s Backside
  Mary bans Sheldon from reading a mature comic book, and Sheldon decides it’s time to stop living under Mary’s thumb.
• Gluons, Guacamole, and the Color Purple
  When Sheldon is no longer academically challenged at Medford High, he audits a college class taught by Dr. John Sturgis.
• A Dog, a Squirrel, and a Fish Named Fish
  A battle erupts between the Coopers and Sparks when the Sparks’ new dog terrorizes Sheldon.
• Summer Sausage, a Pocket Poncho, and Tony Danza
  While Sheldon is busy obsessing over the status of Meemaw’s budding relationship with his mentor, Dr. Sturgis, George and Mary attempt to bond with their other kids.
• Vanilla Ice Cream, Gentleman Callers, and a Dinette Set
  When Meemaw is pursued by two gentlemen callers, Sheldon interferes, forcing her to set some ground rules.

Final Thoughts?

Young Sheldon Season One is beautifully presented on Blu-ray with some exceptional video and audio quality which looks great on Full-HD televisions and is clearer than its original broadcast on Australian TV, including the audio. So while it is not The Big Bang Theory per se, the ‘young’ Sheldon actually feels like Sheldon and without Iain Armitage playing this character, I don’t think this series would have lasted that long because he nails this persona perfectly. Another highlight of Young Sheldon is that you don’t need to have watched The Big Bang Theory because as it uses a sitcom formula, every episode is standalone and sure, there are some hits and misses but overall it’s an amusing series and is coming back for a second season.

Funny stuff!

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Tony Smith

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