This story contains plot points from the May 11 episode ofYoung SheldononCBS.
For fans ofThe Big Bang Theory,Thursdays episode ofYoung Sheldonshouldnt have come as a huge surprise.
It finally happened in the episode titled A New Home and a Traditional Texas Torture.
His two best friends delivered the tragic news to his family.
STEVE HOLLAND:I mean, its a little bit of a challenge.
There are some pieces of the lore and some pieces of the ending that people know.
But I think for us its also about trying to tell those stories in ways that are still surprising.
Its a good question.
DEADLINE:Was it established inBig Bangthat George died of a heart attack?
HOLLAND:I dont remember if it was sort of an implied heart attack.
Im not sure if we actually ever said heart attack.
Its what we had always thought, internally.
HOLLAND:You get nervous anytime hes wandering into traffic or going up the ladder.
Youve got to be nervous about whats going to happen!
DEADLINE:Were there long discussions about whether to have the heart attack occur off camera?
HOLLAND:It was always going to be off camera.
We didnt want to witness that moment of his death.
DEADLINE:Why did you give him his dream job before he died?
HOLLAND:Because were mean!
For a couple reasons.
We wanted to give George a win after all these years.
And so then its about figuring out, well, what that episode is.
I think it makes that last moment even more surprising and impactful.
DEADLINE:So you knew for a while you didnt want him to die in the final episode?
HOLLAND:We talked about it.
Lets not leave the audience wallowing in grief.
The series finale ofYoung Sheldonairs Thursday, May 16, in two back-to-back episodes.
