Young Sheldon

Sheldon graduates high school as valedictorian and enrolls at East Texas Tech. College starts rough: his philosophy professor makes him doubt everything and he spirals into an existential crisis. He badgers Dr. Linkletter until he becomes his lab assistant, tries to make friends and takes on the IRS over $4.22. Georgie works at Dale's store, Paige wants to enroll at the same college and Dr. Sturgis comes back to town. In the finale, Missy gets her heart broken, fights with the family and runs away. Sheldon follows her and comforts her. Meanwhile George, worn out and feeling ignored, meets Brenda Sparks at a bar and starts shooting pool with her.

1. ReferenceNo training wheels before college

   In episode 3, with college on the horizon, Sheldon sets out to ride a bike without training wheels.

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2. Behind the scenesA universe where Missy is the genius

   In episode 17, 'A Black Hole,' the family imagines an alternate universe: Dr. Sturgis is a cowboy, Georgie is bald, Missy is the genius and Sheldon is a normal kid.

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3. ReferenceProfessor Proton on the wall

   In episode 18, Missy rips up Sheldon's picture of Professor Proton, his TV science hero. The character also shows up on The Big Bang Theory.

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