‘Young Sheldon’: Lance Barber & Zoe Perry React to George’s Death (VIDEO)
[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for Young Sheldon Season 7, Episode 12, “A New Home and a Traditional Texas Torture.”]
Young Sheldon‘s penultimate episodes finally delivered a long-dreaded fate for Cooper family patriarch George Sr. (Lance Barber), as Sheldon’s (Iain Armitage) dad died due to a heart attack in the episode, “A New Home and a Traditional Texas Torture.”
As the family gears up for their next chapter with Sheldon preparing to head off to college, George learns in this installment that he is up for a new coaching position at a university which would be a major opportunity for himself and his family. The possibility makes Sheldon upset as he wants to do all he can to preserve his family’s home and rejects the idea of having to visit his family in another Texas town.
While this drama unfolds, Mary (Zoe Perry) has also tasked the family with partaking in a Texas tradition of taking a family photo in the bluebonnet fields. But as the family gets dressed and ready, they find themselves waiting for George to arrive home from work, only to discover Principal Petersen (Rex Linn) and Coach Wayne Wilkins (Doc Farrow) at their door as they deliver the devastating news that George has had a heart attack and didn’t make it.
CBS
Viewers only have a few seconds to sit with the news before the credits roll, which is something Barber really appreciated. “I love the writer’s choice to end the episode that way, to tell the story that way because it’s a great device. Everyone will feel that kick in the gut and then [they’re] left swirling in their loss the way that our characters do in that moment,” the actor tells TV Insider.
“And then it’s over. And there you sit with what do you do next? And from an art standpoint, what a fun way to play with the audience and give them that experience?” he continues. “I imagine this whole thing will be polarizing. Some people will not like it because it’s hard and some people will appreciate it because it’s hard. I certainly do.”
The actor who has captured viewers’ hearts in his role adds, “I have a selfish perspective on it ending the way that it is for my character because I think it’s memorable. Selfishly, as a character actor, I get to play [the part of] America’s dad gets to die on TV.” As Barber puts it, he hopes that it’s one of those deaths that’s talked about by generations as they reminisce about the series. “To have that as part of my legacy as a TV actor, I think that’s pretty neat,” Barber confesses.
CBS
Perry teases, “The audience and the characters are going to be experiencing this shift simultaneously,” as they head into the final two episodes airing back to back on May 16th. “Everyone will be going through this catharsis together,” she adds, noting, “What a unique experience that is.”
Regarding the filming of George’s death reveal, Perry says, “When we knew what was coming and that we knew it was also coming at the end of us wrapping up a series, we were feeling true grief. And so I think the audience will get to witness some real emotion because it’s sad to lose a beloved character, and it’s sad to say goodbye to him and to a show and to some great entertainment for the last seven years.”
In other words, “They get to share that experience with the family,” Perry notes.
For Barber, he was aware of his impending end for some time. “I had an idea,” he says of the timing. “They kept things kind of close to the chest for a while, but weeks before, we certainly were aware of how it was all going to play out so I could prepare for that.”
CBS
What makes George’s demise all the more heartbreaking is all of the future planning that was going on in this installment and the casual way he slips out the door for work with a simple “see you later” remark. “This is how life turns out sometimes at the best of times, potentially, it turns into the worst,” Barber notes. “So to me, that’s just good storytelling that’s relatable, which has been the success of the show, is that this family has always had challenges that are identifiable,” Barber continues.
“That last moment with George is so every day no one takes note of it. We spent so much time making that moment as uneventful and unspecial as possible because that felt so real that you don’t know things are the last moments at the time,” executive producer Steve Holland shares. “You only notice them in retrospect. And there are so many times where you just take all that for granted because it happens every day and there’s no reason to think that this is any special moment until after the fact. And that felt really sort of powerful.”
“And I think knowing where these characters wind up, given what’s established in Big Bang Theory, raising the stakes of what’s happening right before, the writing in Episode 12 really hits home with the excitement that everyone’s feeling and the loss of this potential future that they’re also suffering,” Perry acknowledges.
But don’t anticipate all misery as Holland reveals that the placement of George’s death in Episode 12 was intentional so as to not prolong the sadness too much. “George’s death was always the thing we wanted to address this season. And we talked about it maybe being the finale and then I think it was Chuck [Lorre] who said, ‘the show has been such a positive, mostly uplifting [thing], let’s not just punch America in the gut and [sneak] away. Let’s give them a little bit of a ramp out.'”
Still, if you’re feeling emotionally raw from the death, that was also intended. “We thought maybe it could catch people off guard in a good, slightly cruel way maybe,” Holland admits, adding, “but just that they wouldn’t be expecting it to come at the end of Episode 12.” What did you think of George’s death? Sound off in the comments section, below, and stay tuned for more on Young Sheldon‘s final episodes.
Young Sheldon, Final Episodes, Thursday, May 16, CBS
Conversation58 Comments
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B
The last line he gave had a hint of sadness in his delivery that just hit home with me that he was gone at that point in the show. Emotional for the cast and the viewers who loved his character. Lance Barber did an excellent job bring out a character that had a bit of all dads in him. Going to miss this show.
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I cried.That's how much I feel bonded to the YS characters. I'll miss seeing George Sr. in the final two episodes. Lance Barber played him so well. I actually thought we might see George Sr. in the Georgie and Mandy 1st Marriage next season and his death would be portrayed there, but alas it's not to be. I hope Lance gets cast in another show so we can continue to enjoy his acting weekly.
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Mr. Barber could appear in "flashbacks" - and that would be nice!!
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L
Death can be sudden and unexpected. Having George walk out of the house, without a long drawn out goodbye. Was a punch in the gut with a touch of reality, that made it more even more powerful.
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R
Beautifully performed and tastefully handled. How many times have we heard someone say, "But I just saw him this morning as he was heading out to work, and he was fine!!! And now he's gone????"
Thank you to the entire cast, including the supporting actors, for doing a good and tasteful job....
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P
Well done. Thank you for a real show.
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G
I was crushed and cried my eyes out.. 😢 😭 I have loved this show since the beginning, watched all those kids grow up, great family series.. looking forward to "Mandy & Georgie" in the fall.. ❤️
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O
Hi Hiker, First my mouth hung open and then I cried like you. I still am so sad. So glad though that it's not real. I always had a crush on George and wish I would be more like Mary. Just loved Everyone in the show !
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O
Well written…Everyone knew George was going to die but figured would be in Houston…then on the roof…but wasn’t expecting that until Mary opened door.
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I thought that it would happen after the series. I envisioned the family happily seeing Sheldon off at the airport on his way to Caltech, then a voiceover saying, "That was the last time I saw my dad alive", or something to that effect. It was certainly a devastating punch in the gut, but that's how unexpected death hits. So sad to lose George, Sr.
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O
That would have been an excellent ending.
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C
Yes, that would have been a far more happy conclusion, but it would not have been true to the storyline from The Big Bang Theory, which they tried very hard to maintain. When Sheldon & Amy were getting married, Leonard went to see Georgie to try to talk him into coming to the wedding and he told Leonard how it all fell out. When Sheldon and Georgie met up, they had a heart-to-heart talk and Georgie told him that he'd headed off to college and Missy and Mary/Mom were a mess. Sheldon didn't realize that and apologized. While I agree that it would have been happier for the audience to see George waving Sheldon off with the rest of the family, but there was too much background to make that possible. They've done such a great job with Young Sheldon - very gratifying to those who watched and loved TBBT - and came to love Young Sheldon.
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B
Too close to real life. My dad died of a heart attack at age 58 - last saw him at noon on Sunday and by noon on Monday he was gone. Many tears - well-done but will never forget this episode and will miss these beloved characters showing real-life.
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G
I knew that George was going to die at some point because of references to the event in TBBT, but it was a gut punch for it to happen as Young Sheldon is wrapping up. These characters have earned our respect and we care about them, but the way it was presented was very REAL. Death often does not come on schedule, and I think the writers and actors did a terrific job. But I'm still sad that George is gone, and also sad that the series is coming to an end..
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G
I have never cried as hard as I did over an event in a TV show and I even knew it was coming.
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O
As soon as George walked out the door; I knew he was going to die. It was too matter of fact.
However, I am ummed this show is ending. It was fun watching every week!
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R
Why did they play it with Georgie and Mandy out of the room? Wonder how that will impact the finale, and/or the new show....
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O
I was expecting a hospital ER heart attack scene similar to his previous one. Not his coworkers and friends announcing his sudden death with the knocking on his front door step to the horror and shock of his family. Might as well have had the Police do it with a chaplain. A hammer to the gut and hearts that left me in shock. I felt cheated by the way he exited.
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I have lost both my parents in the last 1 1/2 years; I know what “real life” looks like. I thought I was watching a comedy, a break from real life. I didn’t care for this episode at all, but will continue to watch until the show ends this year.
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O
At first I was near tears, then angry at the writers for George’s sudden death. After all these years, I felt like I knew him, thanks to the brilliant performance of Lance Barber. But when I thought about it today, it made sense. People can be taken away very suddenly without you getting the chance to take a planned family photo or even say goodbye. This episode hit me especially hard because it reminded me of a friend who passed away. I had plans to go to tea with her. “How could this happen? We had plans,” I thought. But there is no reasoning with the universe. It just is. Goodbye, George. I will miss you.
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I've enjoyed watching this show, and I am disappointed that it is coming to an end so soon. I've never really watched "Big Bang Theory", and not sure I will. I've seen parts, and I didn't find it at all interesting. I will however miss Young Sheldon. It is a series that should've continued much longer. Why get rid of a good thing?
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O
I was shocked! WHY?! So he won't be a visitor on GEORGE AND MANDIE'S FIRST MARRIAGE? I don't get it!
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P
George's death when Sheldon was 14 was established years ago on The Big Bang Theory so it had to happen. Too sad!😢
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G
It was so emotional. I knew it was coming but did not expect it to happen that way. I cried 😢 😭 as we have gotten so pulled into the characters and show. We will miss it very much. Look forward to the spinoff and hope it will be well written and be just as good.
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C
I felt as if I'd been punched in the stomach. I had a fleeting thought that when George left for work and said "see you later", it might be coming, but it still took me by surprised. I knew it was impossible, but I kept hoping they'd find some way around him dying, as they found a nice way to explain how Sheldon (thought he) saw his father with another woman. Ending the episode in that way DID leave us with swirling emotions - a bit stunned, like Sheldon was. I have to give Raegan praise for her initial expression and reaction - which was extremely good acting.
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I didn't think that would happen before the pictures was taken! So sad, saying goodbye to one if my favorite shows was bad enough but to have to lose George too! Now that's a double downer!😪
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C
It hasn't aired yet on the West Coast!!! Why would you do this spoiler?????
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O
I don’t like the dad’s death why didn’t y’all just let them move to Texas!!!
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In Big Bang Theory, Sheldon says he dad died before he left for Cal Tech, that was what the endnote was about, the fact that 18 years ago they created the story line, and now they had to deal with it
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C
You know it was going to happen but you didn’t know how.i was like wow…it felt like I lost a family member
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It made me extremely sad and hard to take.
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This really hurt me did it really half to happen this way?
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Hope the West Coasters don't read the headlines on their TV Insider emails
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I was gobsmacked. I lost my dad the exact same way & it brought back the horror & shock of that moment. I cried & cried. I loved the character & my heart just broke for the whole family. They played it so well. So sad, but beautifully done & very realistic.
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It was sad. Too much real life. My own father died on the night of my parents divorce of a heart attack. It was shocking. George’s death carried me back in time to a place I would rather have not gone.
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G
Yes the death was a shock. I will miss watching Young Sheldon.
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I thought it was a very great way to end the show at that point but give us a little bit of visual in the remaining finale as to what comes ahead. We know from big bang theory that sheldon goes to Cal Tech and that he achieves greatness but we dont know how he will react to his father dying it is implied through big bang that he is angry at his father for dying and eventually he comes to terms with it. we see him interact with his sister in BBT and His older brother towards the last season and how georgy reacts to sheldon after years of not seeing each other I hope they have a funeral or ceremony for george during the finale and kinda do a fast forward past cal tech to show missy georgie and memaw just before bbt starts as his journey begins working at the school.
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Oh my goodness
The interview that I just saw with Lance and Zoey
Was on point.... It was most certainly a GUT punch hard....
My husband and I were left looking at each other.... In Shock!!!!!
I couldn't stop crying... Put me in a weird head space..... Great writing....
Love the show..... Will miss it....
Rest in peace George Sr.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
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J
It was extremely well done. Anticipated but still a shock.
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G
I cried.
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O
He was a good father. His death was very real to life. Thank you for showing his death that was.
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B
Would have been nicer to get those family pictures to look back on for memorial, sweeter send off. Not happy with this version 🤨. He’s been a great character.
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O
I strongly disliked the heart attack issue . There’s plenty of reality shows on TV, and too much sad , upsetting news daily in every form of media . The family could have seen Sheldon off to college , and the family residing in their new location . We’re all aware of life slapping us in the face . I watch tv for entertainment, not to be saddened .
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O
George Sr. was a character in the show that I cared about so his death (though I expected it would probably happen) was a surprise and I will miss George Sr. and the show's other characters very much.
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O
Well, it would have been great to see this ending, but our local station cut in to tell us it was still raining outside. I went to On Demand to replay the episode only to find it also replayed the weather cut in. Sad ending to a great show. Hopefully we’ll see some of the characters in the spin off on occasion, unfortunately without George.
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Go on CBS's website and you will be able to watch the full episode.
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G
It was appropriate. Grown Sheldon had referred to it, so I think it had to occur.
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B
It is so so sad..I wish they had left his death out of Sheldon..they did not have to have everything to follow TBBT..I did not watch that and I loved this show. They changed the part that Sheldon thought George cheated..who cares? I loved this show.
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I Missed the Shows except the Ending So Sad. But they said he was going to Pass Away! 😔
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I think it stinks.
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C
It had already been hinted if you watched throughout the seasons of Young Sheldon he recounts a time when it was the best time of his life when his father takes him and Georgie to see NASA that his father died of a heart attack. In Big Bang Theory when Sheldon’s Mom goes to see him in CA she also mentions that they lost Sheldon’s Dad unexpectedly recounting to Sheldon of how proud Sheldon’s Dad would’ve been on Sheldon’s accomplishments.
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Tastefully, artfully, skillfully done. Grateful Mr. Barber was kept on as long as possible. Looking forward to watching what all the participants do in the future. ❤
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“How careful we'd be if we kent which goodbyes were our last."
from the TV production of Outlander
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G
As I recall,George died drunk,according to Big Bang Theory, on the roof shooting at Mary's collectible plates. So his character was rehabbed considerably in this series. Okay, the actor's portrayal was too decent a guy to go that rogue.
Life changes us all.
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Wow.. not okay for me, close to anniversary of my step-dad passing suddenly from heart failure. Wanted to watch something easy and light humored. Not a good choice
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Sorry for your loss guest, but this is actually life, as sad as it seems, I lost my dear Grammy this way too.xoxo
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I watch this type of show for the laughs. I know writers love to "hit" but sometimes it is just for their own ego. That was the case here! Why can't writers be happy with just simply making us laugh----I get it, THAT'S HARDER. Write for a drama next time!
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It was a cop-out and lazy effort by the writers. The show is not a documentary and did not have to play out according to what was established on BB. We all know George Sr. "dies" while Sheldon is young, but it did not have to be done during this series' run. It was gratuitous and cheap. It also does not compare with M*A*S*H killing Col. Henry Blake. That was much more shocking, but done in the context of war and loss. This was just unnecessary, a conceit by the writers/producers that they had to do it to stay true to the BB story line. Baloney. The show had already lost its way somewhat, with the gambling business, illegal activity at the border and the out-of-wedlock baby. Not a prude here, but is this any way to write a sitcom?
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