Young Sheldon: Did Mandy Deserve More Than Being a Plot Device?
She is cute, yet she's still secondary to the plot.
It's been three months since season 6 of Young Sheldon concluded with a grand one-hour finale. The Big Bang Theory's spin-off has been airing since 2017, when it debuted alongside its predecessor. Over its six-year run, the show has cemented its place as one of CBS's most beloved comedies. In fact, some fans even consider it superior to the original show.
Chronicling the early life of TBBT's quirkiest character, Young Sheldon provides a window into the Coopers' lives as they grapple with family dilemmas, financial troubles, and parenting challenges. While Sheldon remains central to the narrative, the series gives ample attention to the supporting cast. For instance, the sixth season largely focused on the other family members. It culminated with Georgie popping the question to his pregnant girlfriend, Mandy, who undoubtedly stole the limelight this season. Yet, some fans feel she's merely a plot device.
Indeed, Mandy's introduction to the series was relatively recent. While she was alluded to in episode 12 of season 1 through adult Sheldon's narration, her on-screen debut came only in the eleventh episode of season 5, where Georgie meets her at Connie's Laundromat. After that, she remained a peripheral character until she discovered she was pregnant with Georgie's child.
Throughout season 6, Mandy was fleshed out further. She's depicted as an ambitious college graduate aspiring for a career in TV journalism. Insights into her familial ties added layers to her character. Nevertheless, in the grand scheme of things, she still plays second fiddle to Sheldon's narrative; after all, the show is named after him for a reason.
In essence, Mandy's characterisation is deepened to the extent that it intersects with Sheldon's life. She is undeniably charming. Her blossoming romance with Georgie is heartwarming. Yet, she's not officially a Cooper (at least not yet), which defines her role in the series narrative – as Georgie's love interest and the mother of his child.
We might have anticipated Mandy taking a more central role in season 7, especially after her nuptials with Georgie. But her character arc will likely remain as is, given the already established storyline, which we wouldn't (and arguably shouldn't) alter.
However, there's a more pressing concern: Young Sheldon won't be returning to our screens with a seventh season this fall. But that's a topic for another day…