Young Sheldon: The Complete Series (2017-2024) [Blu-ray review]

Young Sheldon, the spinoff series to The Big Bang Theory, ran from 2017 to 2024 and gave us an unprecedented deep dive into the character that Jim Parsons made famous. What we have here is the origin story of the quirky, misunderstood genius, Sheldon Cooper, played to perfection in his younger years by Iain Armitage. The series brings fans back to East Texas, capturing the backdrop of Sheldon’s childhood—the early 90s suburban landscape—where his intellect is as out of place as a Lamborghini in a tractor pull. With its recent Warner Bros. Blu-ray release, all six seasons are available for viewers to enjoy in high-definition, complete with special features that enrich the overall experience.

But let’s be clear—if you’re here just for Sheldon’s quirks, you’re missing a lot of what makes Young Sheldon shine. It’s about family, about struggle, and ultimately about a boy’s search for belonging when his mind is operating in a completely different dimension than everyone around him. And with Warner Bros.’ comprehensive 14-disc Blu-ray collection, there’s no better way to revisit, or even discover for the first time, all that makes this series unique.

Young Sheldon is like Batman Begins for the Spectrum

Forget The Big Bang Theory’s geek-laden laugh tracks and high-speed zingers. Young Sheldon is a slow burn, character-driven sitcom that spends its time building a world that’s not always ready for Sheldon Cooper. Set in the late 80s and early 90s, we see nine-year-old Sheldon (Iain Armitage) as he makes the jump into high school, a place that barely knows what to do with him. It’s a transition that throws everyone for a loop – the teachers, his fellow students, and most of all, his family.

While Sheldon might ace every exam he sits, the people around him—Mary (Zoe Perry), George Sr. (Lance Barber), Missy (Raegan Revord), and Georgie Jr. (Montana Jordan)—struggle just to keep up. Each of them is dealing with Sheldon’s genius in different ways. But this isn’t just a show about Sheldon; it’s about the Coopers learning how to live with a little kid whose brain works more like a supercomputer than anything else. That tension – between brilliance and normalcy – is where Young Sheldon finds its groove.

Sheldon’s academic prowess always sets him apart, but what grounds him here is his desperate attempt to understand social cues that most kids pick up naturally. Making friends, dealing with school bullies, understanding why people laugh at his statements – it’s all alien to Sheldon. And that’s where the charm is – in seeing this genius navigate situations that his towering intellect can’t solve with equations.

Because I always have to explain who is in the show to everyone

Sheldon Cooper — Iain Armitage

If you thought playing Sheldon Cooper would be hard, imagine having to play the kid version of him before all the defense mechanisms fully clicked into place. Iain Armitage doesn’t just succeed at making Sheldon his own, he knocks it out of the park. This isn’t just a mini Jim Parsons imitation; Armitage’s Sheldon is still frustrating, still too smart for everyone’s good, but there’s a vulnerability that makes you root for him.

The journey is emotional. Sheldon may be a genius, but he’s also just a kid who wants friends, who wants to be understood, even if he often can’t understand why he keeps rubbing people the wrong way. Armitage pulls all of these complex dynamics together in a way that’s both hilarious and gut-wrenching, proving that young Sheldon can be just as compelling as his adult counterpart.

Mary Cooper — Zoe Perry

Let’s talk about Mary Cooper, Sheldon’s mom. Zoe Perry took on the role made famous by her real-life mother, Laurie Metcalf, and crushed it. Mary is a religious woman, fiercely protective of her son, and often left at her wit’s end trying to bridge the gap between Sheldon’s logic-based brain and her own faith-driven values. Perry delivers a nuanced performance, nailing Mary’s struggle between love, exasperation, and deep faith.

Mary is the shield between Sheldon and the world – constantly smoothing over his social blunders, defending him, and yet, often feeling like she’s failing as a mother because Sheldon’s challenges are just so far beyond her scope. Perry brings a warmth that makes Mary a character to root for, even when you can feel her frustration boiling over.

George Sr. — Lance Barber

George Sr. is a fascinating character because, let’s face it, he’s mostly a ghost in The Big Bang Theory. Lance Barber takes George Sr. and turns him into a fully realized figure – not just the absent dad Sheldon remembered. George Sr. isn’t your stereotypical sitcom deadbeat; he’s trying his best, even if that means struggling to understand his oddball son. He’s a high school football coach, and the divide between his world of touchdowns and Sheldon’s theoretical physics is as wide as it gets.

Barber’s George has some of the show’s best moments, particularly when he drops his tough exterior and lets the vulnerability show. The late-night chats between George and Sheldon give the audience a different kind of father-son relationship – one defined not by understanding, but by a desire to make it work, even when neither side really knows how.

Missy Cooper — Raegan Revord

Missy Cooper is the secret MVP of the series. Raegan Revord plays Sheldon’s twin sister and brings an emotional intelligence to the role that balances out Sheldon’s cold, hard logic. Missy doesn’t always understand why her brother is the way he is, but she loves him – even when he’s a pain in the neck. Revord’s portrayal of Missy is filled with moments that remind viewers what it’s like to be the “normal” kid in a family where normal often gets pushed aside.

Missy’s dynamic with Sheldon is essential to the show’s emotional core. It’s funny, sure, but it’s also touching to watch her step into a protective role when her brother needs it. Revord gives Missy an edge and a warmth that make her scenes some of the best in the series.

Georgie Cooper Jr. — Montana Jordan

Georgie Jr. is every bit the big brother you’d expect in a sitcom, but Montana Jordan ensures Georgie is more than just a cliché. He’s not interested in school – he’s interested in girls, cars, and making money. His relationship with Sheldon is classic older-brother-younger-brother stuff, filled with exasperation on both sides. But as the series progresses, we see Georgie’s protective instincts kick in, and that adds layers to his character.

Jordan’s Georgie is a constant reminder that while Sheldon might be a genius, Georgie knows how to navigate the world in a way that Sheldon doesn’t. It’s an interesting dynamic that often brings a lot of humor but also a surprising amount of heart.

Meemaw — Annie Potts

Meemaw, played by Annie Potts, is everything you want in a sitcom grandma – sassy, wise, fiercely loyal, and completely unbothered by convention. Meemaw is the person who seems to “get” Sheldon on a level the others don’t. She encourages his curiosity while also keeping him grounded, and Potts’ chemistry with the rest of the cast is undeniable.

Meemaw’s role in Sheldon’s life is one of balance – she’s indulgent but realistic, supportive without being a pushover. Potts makes her an integral part of the show’s humor, warmth, and occasional wisdom. You don’t just love Meemaw because she’s funny; you love her because she feels real.

Let’s talk about the Young Sheldon Complete Series Blu-ray

The Warner Bros. Blu-ray release of Young Sheldon: The Complete Series is the whole package. We’re talking about a 14-disc set that gives you everything from the show’s humble beginnings in 2017 to its grand finale in 2024. It’s everything fans could ask for in terms of visual quality, audio upgrades, and a treasure trove of special features.

Video Quality

The Blu-ray video quality makes all the difference. Young Sheldon never needed flashy effects, but the sharpness and vibrant colors here really bring out the beauty of East Texas. Every detail pops, from Sheldon’s collection of action figures to the textures of Meemaw’s old-school wallpaper. The 1080p resolution captures the essence of each setting, and for fans who have only seen it in compressed formats, this is a major step up.

There’s a consistency in the quality across all six seasons. The lighting and color work are warm and welcoming, much like the Cooper home itself. With the Blu-ray treatment, everything feels a little more real, a little more present, as if you’re sitting in the Cooper living room watching it all happen.

Audio Quality

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 sound mix is exactly what Young Sheldon needed. This isn’t an action movie, so it’s not about explosions, but about making the dialogue pop. And here, it really does. Sheldon’s rapid-fire commentary and Meemaw’s zingers come through crisp, and the little background noises—like the clinking of family dinners or the distant sound of football games—are all the richer for it.

Jim Parsons’ narration as the adult Sheldon is also crystal clear, providing that needed bridge between Young Sheldon and The Big Bang Theory. It’s more than just audio quality—it’s an enhancement that keeps you feeling connected to both versions of Sheldon.

Special Features

Where this Blu-ray release really stands out is in the special features. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re a die-hard fan or just curious about the making of the series:

• Behind-the-Scenes Documentaries: These featurettes dive deep into the production process. Cast and crew give insights into what it’s like creating a show that exists as both a prequel and its own narrative. There are great tidbits from the writers on how they kept Young Sheldon consistent with the Big Bang universe.
• Cast Interviews: Watching Iain Armitage, Raegan Revord, and Montana Jordan talk about growing up on set is as charming as you’d expect. They’ve grown alongside their characters, and their stories about working with veterans like Annie Potts and Lance Barber are fascinating.
• Gag Reels: The gag reels are a must-watch. It’s always fun to see the cast break character, and it’s a reminder of the chemistry that made the show work. The bloopers show how much fun they had behind the scenes.
• Deleted and Extended Scenes: Some of these scenes add context, others add laughs, but they’re all worth watching. It’s like getting a little bit of extra Young Sheldon—a few more pieces of the family puzzle.
• Audio Commentaries: Select episodes come with audio commentary that dives into the nitty-gritty of particular story arcs, character choices, and production challenges. Hearing the creators discuss how they approached young Sheldon’s journey to match adult Sheldon’s character is fascinating.

Young Sheldon was way, way better than The Big Bang Theory

At its core, Young Sheldon isn’t just about a boy genius—it’s about acceptance. Sheldon’s different, but so is his whole family, and the show embraces that without ever trying to “fix” it. The Cooper family dynamics are what hold the series together. Each member has their own struggles, and each one loves Sheldon, even when they don’t understand him.

Mary and George Sr. have their differences, but they both want the best for their kids. Their relationship has its bumps, especially with the strain of raising someone as different as Sheldon, but it’s ultimately a story of persistence and love. Missy, while often frustrated with Sheldon, is always there for him when it counts. The family doesn’t always get it right, but they always try, and that’s what makes Young Sheldon resonate.

The show is also about Sheldon learning empathy. He’s brilliant, but he doesn’t get people—watching him learn that his actions have consequences, that he can hurt people without realizing it, is touching. The growth isn’t just Sheldon getting smarter—it’s him learning what it means to be part of a family, a community, and a world that isn’t designed for someone like him.

It does connect back to The Big Bang Theory

For those wondering if Young Sheldon is just a nostalgia trip for Big Bang fans, the answer is yes and no. The show stands on its own, but it’s also packed with Easter eggs that pay homage to The Big Bang Theory. Whether it’s Sheldon’s relationships or the seeds of quirks we came to know in his adult self, there’s a lot here for fans of the original.

Jim Parsons’ narration ties everything together, providing context and an emotional bridge between Sheldon’s past and future. The final season in particular leans into the connections, with moments that are made for Big Bang fans—creating a beautiful, if bittersweet, cohesion between the shows.

Final Thoughts on the Blu-ray Release

The Warner Bros. Blu-ray collection is everything a Young Sheldon fan could ask for. It gives you the whole journey in the best quality available, adding depth with special features that provide a peek behind the curtain. From video clarity that brings out the warmth of East Texas to sound quality that captures every quick-witted exchange, this Blu-ray is a must-have.

If you’re a fan of The Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon isn’t just a spinoff—it’s an essential part of the Sheldon Cooper story. This Blu-ray set offers it all: the laughs, the awkward moments, the growth, and the family bonds that shaped Sheldon into the man we eventually see. If you’re ready to relive the ups and downs of Sheldon’s journey, this set delivers—complete, unfiltered, and in high definition.

Young Sheldon: The Complete Series is now available on Blu-ray at MovieZyng and other outlets

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