Young Sheldon: 10 Big Bang Theory Inconsistencies
8. Sheldon’s Lack Of Childhood Friends
If you’re writing a sitcom it’s probably a good idea to give your characters friends. That way they’ve got people to exchange quips or get into scrapes with. At first in The Big Bang Theory Sheldon has Leonard, Howard and Raj with the group expanding to include Penny, Bernadette and Amy.
His social life wasn’t always so full. There are multiple references to a friendless Sheldon being a solitary child who spent a lot of lonely time on his own. It’s one of the things that bonds him to the other guys on the show.
However, in Young Sheldon he does actually have one close friend. He might not exactly be one of the popular kids but with best buddy Tam by his side he’s hardly the lonely loser The Big Bang Theory suggests.
Tam did in fact make an appearance in The Big Bang Theory’s final season but given that didn’t air until after Young Sheldon had started it seems like an attempt to retcon Sheldon’s past. If the writers hadn’t wanted to give schoolboy Sheldon a pal, it’s doubtful adult Sheldon would ever would have reconnected with an old acquaintance like this.
According to the storyline, Sheldon cut all ties with Tam completely after a falling out. When you think about it, that kind of adds a melancholy edge to watching them hang out as kids on Young Sheldon. Sure, things are fine now but we know things are gonna go south at some point…