A tender moment of reflection between the two Georges may indicate the unavoidable devastation soon to hit the Cooper family. In Season 7, Episode 9 of "The Big Bang Theory" titled "The Thanksgiving Decoupling," Sheldon makes a surprising revelation. In a rare moment of vulnerability for the zany physicist, he confesses to Bernadette's father (Casey Sander) that his father, George Sr., died when he was 14, and he never got to share a beer with him.
This critical detail hangs heavy over "Young Sheldon" and was even alluded to in Season 1, Episode 3 when George Sr. is rushed to the emergency room. As Sheldon gets older and quickly approaches 14, "The Big Bang Theory" fans grow wary that the tragedy may devastate the Coopers very soon. The heartfelt exchange in the Season 6 premiere tiers this up perfectly when Georgie tells his father, "I hope I'm as good a dad as you are," to which he lovingly responds, "Don't try to butter me up."
As the mantle of fatherhood passes from George to Georgie, it may be around the same time as his foreseen but premature death. Sheldon was 9 when the prequel began and 12 when the 5th season concluded, leaving us few precious years left with George Sr. "Young Sheldon" was also renewed through Season 7, which may also be the year Sheldon turns 14, and his father unexpectedly dies.
