Warning! Spoilers ahead for the Young Sheldon series finale.
Summary
Paige’s absence in the
Young Sheldon
finale was due to McKenna Grace’s busy schedule during production of the final season.
Executive producer Steve Holland explains that they didn’t feel Paige’s storyline needed more closure than it already received.
Despite Paige’s popularity, the show was unable to properly end her arc, leaving her fate as one of the series’ biggest unresolved plots.
Executive producer Steve Holland reveals why Paige was absent in the Young Sheldon finale. The Big Bang Theory prequel was primarily about Sheldon and the Coopers, but it was also able to introduce several notable guest stars, including McKenna Grace’s character. Paige was Sheldon’s fellow prodigy who fell on hard times, resulting in a much darker path for her. Despite her popularity, Paige neither appeared nor was mentioned in the Young Sheldon finale, leaving the franchise no other opportunity to properly end her arc.
Holland addresses the questions regarding Paige’s fate in a new interview with TV Line, with the showrunner explaining that they didn’t think that the character’s story needed anything more. However, he also admitted that they would have wanted to have her back, but Grace was simply way too busy during Young Sheldon’s final year in production. Read his full quote below:
“People ask about Paige all the time, and she was only in [nine] episodes of
Young Sheldon
.
Big Bang
was done, and there was no way to go, ‘Can we go back and retrofit [her] into
Big Bang Theory
?’ People online respond to Paige and I think that’s because Mckenna is incredible. The downside of Mckenna being incredible is that Mckenna is a movie star and that makes Mckenna very difficult to get.”
“When we got into this season, especially with it being a shortened season, we never thought that [Paige’s storyline] was an arc that needed more closing than it got. There was a parallel; she was a bit of a mirror image of Sheldon — a different way that Sheldon could have turned out — and I think we saw that play out.”
Why Paige’s Incomplete Young Sheldon Arc Is So Frustrating
Paige Was Last Seen In Young Sheldon Season 6, Episode 16.
Holland rightfully praised Grace’s performance, but he also forgot to give Young Sheldon’s writers credit for crafting a compelling arc for the character. Despite only appearing in a handful of episodes, Paige had a clear storyline that was engaging, especially in contrast with what the show’s titular character was going through. Like Sheldon, Paige is a child prodigy, who may actually be better than the boy genius. Aside from her intellect, she’s also well-adjusted and sociable, but that all changed when her parents split up. She blamed herself and acted out in response.
Grace didn’t have to show up, but offering an update about Paige in Young Sheldon season 7 would have helped with this criticism.
The last time Paige was on the show was back in Young Sheldon season 6 when Missy ran away in her attempt to rebel against Mary and George. Now, her fate is one of the biggest unresolved plots of the series. Granted that she wasn’t an established character in The Big Bang Theory, the public’s investment in the character should have motivated the series to at least give her a proper send-off. Grace didn’t have to show up, but offering an update about Paige in Young Sheldon season 7 would have helped curb this criticism.
Related Young Sheldon Finale Continued Big Bang Theory’s True Sheldon Soulmate Disrespect (It Isn’t Amy)
Young Sheldon finale’s TBBT connections were minimal, but to make things worse, it also continued the flagship’s failure of Sheldon’s true soulmate.
Paige’s whereabouts remain Young Sheldon’s most intriguing mystery, and there is currently no potential avenue to address this in the foreseeable future. While the prequel will somehow continue via Georgie And Mandy’s First Marriage, the new show will focus on an entirely new couple who has no ties to Grace’s character. Perhaps if Missy comes back the upcoming spinoff can also recruit Paige to also appear.
The
Young Sheldon
finale is available to stream on Paramount+.
Source: TV Line
Young Sheldon
A spinoff of the sitcom The Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon follows the youth and coming-of-age of Sheldon Cooper during his childhood in Texas as he pursues science and academia. The show also follows his parents, siblings, and Mee-Maw, painting a picture of the world where Sheldon grew up.
Cast Jim Parsons , Iain Armitage , Annie Potts , Emily Osment
Release Date September 25, 2017
Seasons 6