9-year-old Sheldon Cooper learns that having a brilliant mind doesn't always help growing up in Texas. Meet Sheldon and his family on the series premiere!
To appease his worried mother, Sheldon employs the techniques of a self-help book to try and make a friend. Sheldon goes on a quest to make his first friend.
George Sr. is rushed to the emergency room; Meemaw comes to baby-sit; the kids have an adventure getting to the hospital on their own. Sheldon's faith is shaken when his dad goes to the hospital.
When Sheldon's suggestion on landing the rocket booster back is not taken seriously by a NASA scientist, he decides to pursue theoretical physics and works out the full details to prove his point, determined to prove a NASA rep wrong.
While Mary, Memaw and Missy have their girls night at the salon, the three Cooper men plan their road trip to see the space launcher, but it doesn't go as well as they plan. George takes his sons to see a space shuttle launch.
Young Sheldon has to teach his brother for the test, and in doing so, he learns some skills from his brother. Sheldon tutors his brother when his grades threaten football.
Sheldon interviews with a school for gifted children. When Sheldon moves to Dallas to attend a school for gifted children, the family struggles to cope with his absence.
Sheldon is sent to Sunday school when Mary catches him playing Dungeons and Dragons with his friends. A trip to Sunday school inspires Sheldon to study religions.
Sheldon asks for a computer and unknowingly sparks an argument between Mary and George Sr. over the family's finances. Mary and the twins move in with Meemaw after a fight.
Sheldon and Tam make a new friend. Sheldon makes friends with an upperclassmen learning a new field of science. Meanwhile, George Sr. and Mary have a disagreement on Sheldon's new social life.
A disappointing loss at the science fair sends Sheldon's life in a new direction. After Sheldon loses the competition in the science fair he loses his edge and passion for science and finds his new comfort zone in acting.
Mary bans Sheldon from reading a mature comic book, and Sheldon decides it's time to stop living under Mary's thumb. Sheldon declares his independence from Mary.
When Sheldon is no longer academically challenged at Medford High, he audits a college class taught by Dr. John Sturgis. Wallace Shawn guest stars as Sheldon's college professor.
While Sheldon is busy obsessing over the status of Meemaw's budding relationship with his mentor, Dr. Sturgis, George and Mary attempt to bond with their other kids.
