Television review: 'Young Sheldon' brings tears, reflection in finale

The following review includes light spoilers of the final episodes of "Young Sheldon."

Even if you were a casual viewer of “Young Sheldon” you’ll find plenty in the two-part finale to make you cry.

“The Big Bang Theory” more than hinted at how this might end and, last week, we learned the truth.

In the first part, “Funeral,” we see how each member of the Cooper family deals with the death of George Cooper. Director Michael Judd rewinds the last moments several times, giving “Sheldon” one of the most creative bursts of its run.

The funeral shows different sides of the principals and lets Annie Potts (as Meemaw) stake her claim to a place in the spinoff, “Georgie and Mandy’s First Marriage.”

Watch closely and you’ll also see cameos from some memorable guest stars.

The episode is deeply moving and a nice set up for “Memoir,” the second half.

There, we learn, old Sheldon (Jim Parsons) is writing a memoir and, yes, he’s recalling those post-funeral days and the feelings he had before going away to college.

Mayim Bialik joins him in the flash-forward parts, dropping clues about their post-“Big Bang” life. Yup, the house is filled with recognizable geegaws (and a lot of diplomas). The two banter about their family and Sheldon drops hints about what he thinks is a Pulitzer Prize-winning memoir.

In that half hour, many threads get wrapped up and a visit to Sheldon’s bedroom should prompt tears if the funeral episode didn’t.

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Interestingly, there could have been a way for Iain Armitage to continue the story in school. While we got glimpses of his later years in “Big Bang,” there are those uncomfortable “How I Met My Besties” moments that could bridge even more gaps.

While Old Sheldon and Young Sheldon don’t interact, it’s possible to see connections between Parsons and Armitage. The unflappable certainty both play flashes in that final episode and, yes, it brings tears when the latter edges closer to the former.

“Young Sheldon” was popular during its run but didn’t get the awards attention it could have. While “Big Bang” went for laughs, “Sheldon” embraced emotion. Like “Frasier,” it could stand on its own but benefited from a bridge to something that was utterly familiar.

Zoe Perry, as Sheldon’s mom Mary, was a ringer for her real-life mom, Laurie Metcalf (who played the role on “Big Bang”). As the series wore on, she found her own take and brought her to a place that was more than a punchline.

Similarly, Montana Jordan (as Sheldon’s brother Georgie) grew into a fine young actor and, as the last two episodes show, a talent worthy of helming his own edition.

When he and Emily Osment (as Mandy) step out with their spinoff, Executive Producer Chuck Lorre can exhale, knowing the circle will not be broken.

That next chapter will certainly mine new territory, but it’d be great to have reminders of the place they once called home.

Making Potts a regular would be a great first step. And visits from the family? We can see them now.

“Young Sheldon” ends its run Thursday on CBS.

A visit to the set of "Young Sheldon"