I'm trying to decide if it was out of character for Sheldon to essentially help his mom regain her faith. It seems he would be thrilled if his mother stopped being such a Bible thumper. But maybe he experienced what she was like when she was struggling with her faith and decided that his fear of change was more important than his dislike of religion.

He's what, 10? He's a child, he's scared, and he's very averse to change. Seems in character to me.

 

He's what, 10? He's a child, he's scared, and he's very averse to change. Seems in character to me.

This. As we know Sheldon (young and old) are very dependent on their 'routines'. Even though his mother's routines don't agree with his beliefs, he gets very anxious when routines around him change, and he wanted to get back to the normal routines -- his mom going to church and saying grace, etc.

This is very common in kids with Asperger's Syndrome, even though yes, I know, Sheldon does not have AS.

 

Also, the only people he empathized with early one were his mother and his Meemaw. He knew how to fix his mother. And he reasoning was solid. He just rejects it as an overall theory.

 

He pointed out the glories of the universe. Total atheist stuff. He knew that she would view his statements differently. It is well beyond the social awareness that Sheldon has but it is pretty much standard for how a socially aware atheist reacts to issues that trigger a crisis of faith in the faithful.

 

Also, consider this: Sheldon loves his mother. He saw she was upset, struggling with her faith, and in pain about it. And he did something about it.

Maybe he did it because he hated change. Perhaps. But maybe he saw that when Mary was doubting her belief system, her sadness and emotional turmoil made him want to comfort her.

 

And that's what I found so touching about the episode. Along with Zoe Perry's performance.

 

Young Sheldon is much more empathetic than older Sheldon. Older Sheldon wouldn't have done what younger Sheldon did. So, something made him change to become much more cynical and stuck in his ways than he was as a child. I suspect it has to do with his dad (which isn't a stretch). But, we've also seen where, despite his beliefs he still have a very close relationship with his mother. I believe it's still in character for him to do what he did.

 

I know what you're saying, but I find that Older Sheldon often has been shown as way empathetic with Amy. Not unlike Young Sheldon with his mom in this episode, come to think of it--nice touch.

 

Young Sheldon is much more empathetic than older Sheldon. Older Sheldon wouldn't have done what younger Sheldon did. So, something made him change to become much more cynical and stuck in his ways than he was as a child. I suspect it has to do with his dad (which isn't a stretch). But, we've also seen where, despite his beliefs he still have a very close relationship with his mother. I believe it's still in character for him to do what he did.

He's cynical, but he's not quite stuck in his ways. I mean, he engaged in coitus after dating for only six years, and married her after only nine years.

 

I do agree he has more empathy since he met Amy, and maybe that's part of his character, that a mother figure (whether it be him mom or even Amy) can make him feel more empathy. We've seen him have little or no empathy toward the male characters in the show, but maybe that's changed some as well.

There was a whole episode where he learned empathy and was delighted when he realized he could feel how much he hurt people. LOL.

I don't expect a seamless portray between the two shows. I'm sure they didn't anticipate portraying him as a child until very recently. While they likely made sure they weren't making conflicts when bringing up things about his past, they didn't write references to his past with the thought that they'd have to portray him and his family in a sympathetic light. I very much enjoy the different feel this show has from TBBT. It's its own brand of very clever writing and acting and directing.

I loved how Pastor Jeff later told Mary that he found out the answer to Sheldon's question. LOL. "He would appear to them as octopus aliens" Hahahahaha. I really like Pastor Jeff. He tries so hard and so sincerely to treat Sheldon and his questions seriously.

 

I recently came across a TBBT episode that had Mee Maw. Wow, quite e difference in how she's portrayed on the two shows.

Also:

Spoiler: From an upcoming TBBT episode

This might be the first reverse crossover of characters. Sheldon's Vietnamese friend on YS is being introduced on TBBT. Ought to be interesting.

 

Spoiler

Tam