The Big Bang Theory Review: The Sibling Realignment (Season 11 Episode 23)

The casting of Sheldon’s brother alone is enough to make The Big Bang Theory Season 11 Episode 23, “The Sibling Realignment,” an excellent episode.

Jerry O’Connell embodies the adult version of Young Sheldon’s Georgie (sorry, it’s George now) so incredibly well that it feels like we’re in a time capsule, and the dynamic between the two brothers is better than what you’d expect.

We’ve heard Sheldon talk plenty about how his brother gave him a hard time as they were growing up, so naturally, Sheldon has no interest in inviting him to his wedding.

But his mother has something to say about that, so he and Leonard set off to find him and convince him to come.

It’s a chance to dig a little deeper with Sheldon’s character and to watch him grow even more. And if you’ve been watching Young Sheldon, it all packs even more of an emotional punch.

Georgie winds up bonding with Leonard, who has really taken on the brother role since their friendship began. They both understand how difficult Sheldon can be, and what we learn is how hard things became for Georgie because of his younger brother.

Georgie and Sheldon finally have that out, and it’s an emotional moment that goes farther than we usually do on this show. In fact, that tone becomes closer to that of the show’s spinoff series in its seriousness — and that’s a good thing for this scene.

Meanwhile, wedding planning is interrupted a bit by one of a parent’s greatest fears: pink eye.

By the end of the episode, everyone who’d been in contact with Howard and Bernadette contracts it, save for Penny. Because of course Penny doesn’t get it. But the bride to be does.

It’s funny enough, and thankfully, it seems it’s going to be healed in time for Amy and Sheldon’s wedding. I especially like how Amy video chats with Sheldon, only letting him see her profile — which he totally buys.

What I don’t love about this episode as much as Raj’s obsession with getting a date to the wedding.

It’s not that fact in itself as much as that this always seems to be the kind of thing we fall back on when it comes to Raj. It just feels tired.

Maybe the woman he meets in the pharmacy, who also has pink eye, will actually end up going to the wedding with him. That moment is actually very endearing.

I don’t know about you guys, but I’m really, really excited for Amy and Sheldon’s wedding on the Season 11 finale. I already know Sheldon’s reaction to Amy is going to have me in tears, and after seeing more backstory of Sheldon’s family life from Young Sheldon, I think it’s going to be that much more meaningful.

What did you think of this episode ofThe Big Bang Theory? Are you excited about the wedding? Be sure to share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

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The Big Bang Theory airs Thursdays at 8/7c on CBS.

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