Warning! Spoilers ahead for Young Sheldon season 6, episode 18. Jim Parsons’ narration returns in Young Sheldon season 6, episode 18, but there’s a catch. As part of CBS’ attempt at taking advantage of The Big Bang Theory‘s popularity, the spin-off functions as the origins story for Sheldon Cooper. Focusing on his infamous childhood in Texas, Young Sheldon also features the rest of the Cooper family. While the prequel now gives each family member their respective storylines, the show previously prioritized offering explanations for some of Sheldon’s oddest quirks. To emphasize its ties to its parent series, each Young Sheldon episode also originally featured the voice of Parson as adult Sheldon.
Unlike adult Ted Mosby in How I Met Your Mother, it’s unclear why older Sheldon is narrating the events of Young Sheldon. There hasn’t been any official information explaining the matter, but there have been a few theories about it. That includes the possibility of him working on his autobiography. In terms of storytelling, however, the voice-over has been used to reveal new details about the Pasadena gang post-The Big Bang Theory. It has also given viewers an insight into how adult Sheldon views certain aspects of his childhood, especially his relationship with George.
Jim Parsons’ Adult Sheldon Narration Returns…In The Middle Of The Episode
Adult Sheldon’s narration has been barely in Young Sheldon season 6. Despite this, Parsons has remained an executive producer in the show, which makes the absence of his voice-over more intriguing. It finally returns, however, in Young Sheldon season 6, episode 18, “Little Green Men and A Fella’s Marriage Proposal,” but it only makes the show’s inconsistent use of it worse. Parsons’ narration typically bookends an outing. This way, it lays out the story’s premise and wraps it up with either an insightful or funny comment from the socially-inept genius.
This time, however, adult Sheldon’s narration is placed weirdly in the middle of the episode. Not only does it distract from the flow of the story, but it also doesn’t add anything to the outing. In it, Parsons’ iteration talks about his younger self’s attempt to search for life on other planets. It returns not long after to comment on Missy’s decision to ditch Billy Sparks to attend a different party. Overall, Young Sheldon‘s “Little Green Men and A Fella’s Marriage Proposal” could have gone without the voice-over. Perhaps, it may have even been better without it.
Why Adult Sheldon’s Narration Is Important To Big Bang Theory’s Continuity
Young Sheldon has been criticized for its lax approach to continuity, destroying The Big Bang Theory‘s established canon in the process. Over the years, it has created multiple plot holes, including skipping important storylines. Parsons’ adult Sheldon narration is the only tangible reminder that shows are still intrinsically tied. Removing it could be viewed as a sign that the prequel is finally leaving its flagship series behind, which doesn’t seem to be CBS’ intention despite the many inconsistencies between them. Aside from that, adult Sheldon’s narration is also used to fill narrative gaps left by The Big Bang Theory that Young Sheldon cannot directly address.
Young Sheldon season 6 airs Thursdays on CBS.
