Young Sheldon Review: Summer Sausage, a Pocket Poncho, and Tony Danza (Season 1 Episode 21)

On Young Sheldon Season 1 Episode 21, “Summer Sausage, a Pocket Poncho, and Tony Danza,” Sheldon is once again up to his matchmaker ways.

Dr. Sturgis is back! After we met him in Season 1 Episode 19 “Gluons, Guacamole, and the Color Purple,” it was unclear if he would return, but Sheldon is not done trying to add smart people to his family yet.

His return is a surprise that no one in the Cooper family was expecting. Sheldon simply invites him to dinner without sharing the news with anyone, even poor MeeMaw.

Mary: You think you might have let me know you invited company over for dinner?

Sheldon: I did think about it, but I was afraid you would might say no.

This is so typical of Sheldon. He goes after what he wants without regards to other people. Because he is nine, he has trouble predicting the major flaw in his plan. MeeMaw isn’t ready for a date!

She comes flying in from her water aerobics class with messy hair and smelling like chlorine, which both Sheldon and John point out. However, John doesn’t seem to mind at all.

Sheldon doesn’t seem to understand the concept of dating very well, which is equal parts cute and funny. He just wants John to be his friend, not necessarily for him to be in a relationship with MeeMaw.

It’s sad to see Sheldon trying to make meaningful relationships any way he can. He is never going to find another kid he can converse with about the topics he is truly interested in.

Dr. Sturgis is also filling the role of mentor and role model. This is another area Sheldon struggles in. I don’t think Sheldon’s desire to have MeeMaw and John be together is really about the two of them at all. He just desperately wants to have someone in his life that is like him.

John is able to give Sheldon someone to relate to and be comfortable with. He shows Sheldon a model of a future he is looking for. It is easy to forget how hard it must be for Sheldon to be different than everyone else.

It must be quite lonely. Sheldon rarely shows it, but it is clear from his actions with John that he does desire a closeness with someone who understands him and how his brain works.

Sheldon is just a little kid. He needs help figuring all this stuff out. While his family, especially his mom, try their best, they are just out of their league with a kid like Sheldon.

Meanwhile, George, disappointed that he can’t be a role model for Sheldon, sets off to improve his relationship with Missy. I’m sorry. He sets off to improve his relationship with Melissa.

I’m pleasantly surprised to see George working hard to be a good dad. He’s a little goofy and out of his element, but he tries.

The Big Bang Theory has really given me the impression that George hadn’t been a good father and husband. However, it doesn’t appear to be the case. He seems like a pretty typical dad to me, but it does leave me wondering if something will happen or change in the future.

George and Missy enjoy an adorable dinner at Red Lobster. George in a suit and tie and Missy in a pink, princess dress. The dinner clearly means a lot to Missy.

Missy often falls through the cracks. Mary spends most of her time taking care of Sheldon and George bonds with Georgie over football. I’m glad Missy got some attention this episode.

Dad isn’t the only one have an unusual solo dinner with one child. Mom and Georgie share a meal too. And Georgie has a tough question. Apparently, Georgie was conceived before Mary and George were married.

Maybe holier-than-thou Mary has more of her mother in her than we thought.

Georgie asks some surprisingly thought out questions coming from him, but Mary is able to dodge them all. It’s a good thing Georgie really isn’t too smart. That conversation would have been very different if Sheldon had been there.

Mary: You were a big fat preemie.

Connie is still charmed by John. He is adorably innocent and truly tries his best to impress her. Even though it appears John has no idea what he is doing and gets many tips from Sheldon, Connie quite enjoys his company.

John refuting all of the reasons why he should stay the night at Connie’s is one of the few funny scenes in this episode. He is so clueless, and Connie tries so hard.

I don’t think Connie has ever been told no before. She does not know how to handle it. It takes a little convincing, but John agrees.

It appears Sheldon is also happy about the developments. He rushes over first thing is the morning after seeing John leave. George really shouldn’t have encouraged him to go, but I bet it’s a pretty funny moment when MeeMaw realizes Sheldon was watching. Too bad we don’t get to see it.

This episode lacks usual fun and shenanigans normally seen on Young Sheldon. Maybe it’s because Sheldon isn’t around very much. While the show has a great ensemble of characters, it lacks it spark without enough of Sheldon himself.

Other thoughts:

• I’m glad Mary has mastered the spaghetti and hot dogs ratio. That’s quite a popular dish!
• If I was Missy, I don’t think I would have been able to eat my lobster after their creepy staying contest.
• Sheldon needs to be careful with those binoculars before he sees more than he bargains for.

What did you think of this episode of Young Sheldon? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Young Sheldon airs Thursday at 8:30 on CBS.

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