Episode Recap
Adult Sheldon says he never cared for The Game of Life. “Marriage, children, careers, houses. What kind of life is that? In my game, the milestones are... papers published, degrees earned, Nobel Prizes won. And in my version, I am dominating. But you knew that.”
At the university, Sheldon finds Sam excitedly saying “Yes!” as she reads a letter. Sheldon thinks she seems agitated, but Sam explains she just got accepted into a summer program. Sheldon didn’t realize she was struggling with school, but commends her for not giving up. Sam corrects him by explaining it’s a summer program at Columbia that will look great on her grad school application. After Sheldon points out grad school applications are a year away, Sam argues it’s important to get a head start on making your resume look great. Sheldon explains he wants to go to Caltech, which Sam points out is one of the hardest programs to get in to. Sheldon knows, saying they deserve the best. Sam suggests he start beefing up his resume now. Sheldon is confident he’s okay - a 4.0 grade point average, child prodigy, beloved wherever he goes. Sam asks if he’s credited on any published papers? No. Spoken at any conferences? No. Been involved in any outside projects? Sheldon mentions his grant database - which failed spectacularly. “Well, hey... at least you're beloved.”, Sam tells him.
In Meemaw’s living room, Mandy watches the local morning show on TV as Meemaw asks if she wants any coffee. The new mother declines, saying she’s good after getting almost four hours of sleep last night. “I feel like a tiger”, Mandy boasts. “Brushed my hair, I brushed my teeth, I may even go outside today.”, Mandy tells Meemaw. When the weatherman announces there’s an 80% chance of rain, Mandy quickly abandons the idea of venturing outside. As sports presenter and temporary weatherman Chip delivers a forecast heavy with sports metaphors and points at the wrong area on the map, Mandy admits being a weather presenter is harder than it looks. “You got to look forward, but point backward while reading the script. All with sunshine in your voice.”, Mandy says. Meemaw could hear the sunshine in her voice as Mandy cheerfully said that. Mandy is interrupted as CeeCee cries over the baby monitor. “Now back to CeeCee in the nursery with screaming.”, Mandy jokes as she gets up to leave.
At the university, Sheldon arrives to talk to Drs. Linkletter and Sturgis. After Linkletter tells Sheldon he’s late, Sheldon apologizes, explaining he ran into Sam. “Bright girl. She's going places.”, Linkletter remarks. Sheldon reveals Sam is going to the physics department at Columbia. John is pleased to hear she got in, noting her effort to spice up her applications. Sheldon likes to think he’s all the spice he needs, but Linkletter breaks it to him that he’s not. After Sheldon asks if he should be trying to beef up his application, John tells him the competition is fierce. Taken aback, Sheldon wonders why they didn’t warn him about this earlier. As John and Grant both turn to each other, a flashback shows John about to offer Sheldon some advice, only to be cut off with a curt "No thank you.” In another flashback, Linkletter begins to make a recommendation, but Sheldon interrupts with his own suggestion: “Trim your nose hair”. Back in the present, Linkletter asks Sheldon if he remembers that. “I do.”, Sheldon confirms, “It looked like a spider was living up there.”
When Georgie returns to the garage, he finds Mandy rooting through boxes in search of her old tapes. Nervous, Georgie wonders if she found any of his tapes, but doesn’t wish to elaborate. Mandy explains she's looking for recordings of herself as a weathergirl, as the local station has an opening and she wants to apply. “But you’re a mom now”, Georgie says. “Yeah, so?”, Mandy questions. Georgie suggests she has her hands full with CeeCee, but Mandy points out there’s plenty of family around to help. Georgie insists if this is about money, they’re fine, prompting Mandy to point out he lives in a garage. After Mandy explains she was always going back to work because she wants a career, Georgie argues being a mother is a career. “What about fatherhood? You have a job.”, Mandy questions. Georgie argues it’s different for fathers, although he doesn’t really know how. Mandy wonders why he gets to have a job and a life while she’s expected to stay home with the baby. “Or I have to have a job and you get to stay home with the baby. It's all about perspective.”, Georgie argues.
At the university, Sheldon uses a payphone to call the Columbia summer science honors program. Sheldon introduces himself, assuming they might have heard of him already. Sheldon explains he recently became aware that their program could be an important step in his career advancement and tells them the “good news” that he’s available. Despite acknowledging he missed the deadline, Sheldon expects they can make an exception for him. After a disappointing response, Sheldon makes an emotional plea: “But I'm Sheldon Cooper."
As Mary drives Sheldon home from the university, he tells her that Drs. Linkletter and Sturgis knew he should have been focusing on his college applications. When Mary asks if they said anything, Sheldon admits they did but he doesn't come off well in that story. Mary wonders how bad it could be, pointing out Sheldon’s impressive early start in college at age 11. Sheldon argues his achievements seemed more impressive when he was little and cute, but now that he's old and cute, they have the same impact. After Mary insists Sheldon is no less special for being older, Sheldon starts to blame her. Sheldon argues that his mother telling him he’s special has conditioned him to expect the world to cater to him, rather than taking initiative. “But you are special, sweetie.”, Mary says in a bid to comfort him. “You just can't turn it off, can you?”, Sheldon tells his mother.
As the Coopers gather for dinner, Mary asks Sheldon if he wants some mashed potatoes. Sheldon complains his mother is bringing the mashed potatoes to him when he should be going to the mashed potatoes himself. Sheldon argues years of coddling have made him complacent, and now it may cost him his chance to get into grad school at Caltech. George Sr. remarks that he’s been saying that since Sheldon was born. “If it helps, I always thought you sucked.”, Missy adds. Georgie tells Mandy he talked to Meemaw, who said she can have her job back at the video store and take CeeCee to work with her. Mandy doesn’t seem impressed, so Georgie reminds her she said she wanted a job. Mandy corrects him, saying she wanted a career. Mary is surprised Mandy’s thinking of going back to work. Mandy insists she always was, but she’s going back sooner because an opportunity came up. Mandy explains Channel 7 is looking for a new weather girl and she’s got an interview on Thursday. Mary questions who’s going to look after CeeCee when Mandy goes back to work. Mandy was hoping her family would. After George points out he works, Mary reminds him they both work. Georgie says his parents have a point, but Mandy wonders if the point is that his mom is a working mother. When Mary reveals she didn't work while they were toddlers, Sheldon quips, "That's true, she was a stay-at-home coddler."
In Meemaw’s spare bedroom, Meemaw finds Mandy struggling to pick an outfit for her job interview. Meemaw notices a cute outfit, but Mandy admits “couldn’t find” was code for “couldn’t fit into”. Meemaw encourages her not to be hard on herself since she just had a baby. Mandy sarcastically remarks she’ll make sure to tell them that, since everyone loves a working mother. After Meemaw wonders what that’s in reference to, Mandy tells her that her family sucks. Meemaw realizes she missed a good dinner. Mandy questions if she’s a bad mom because she wants a career. “Hell no!”, Meemaw tells her, arguing she’s teaching her daughter that she can grow up to do something more than raise kids. Meemaw tells Mandy she’s going to go in there and get this job… just not in that outfit.
As they climb into bed, Mary tells George she’s “waiting”. “Waiting for what?”, George wonders. The “I told you so”, Mary explains, because she coddled Sheldon and apparently ruined his life. “Oh. I'm not gonna say that.”, George says before adding, “I mean, you did coddle him and I did tell ya... All right, I told you so.” Mary sarcastically thanks him for “not” saying it. "Well, what does he know? He's just a dumb teenager.”, George says. Mary sighs and says she guesses it’s normal for teenagers to hate their parents. “Sheldon's normal. That's a shocker.”, George remarks. Mary is annoyed that the one normal thing Sheldon does is to blame her. “Someday his kids are gonna tell him he's ruinin' their lives.”, George tells Mary. “You think?”, Mary wonders. George says if Sheldon has kids, they will tell him that… so probably not. “Joke's on him. I did have kids.”, Adult Sheldon says, “And joke's on me. They say it all the time.”
When Mandy returns to the garage with CeeCee, Georgie is brushing his teeth at the sink. He notes Mandy is out and about early. Mandy explains she’s got a busy day: Connie's taking her out shopping and then to the salon to get ready for her interview. After Georgie wonders if it’s a mommy-daughter day, Mandy explains it’s actually a daddy-daughter day, and hands CeeCee over to Georgie. When Georgie points out he has work today, Mandy paraphrases his earlier comment, “Well, I like to think fatherhood is a full-time job.” Georgie questions how he will feed CeeCee since he doesn’t have the… you know. Mandy tells him the baby formula is in the bag, before adding “Tag, you're it.” After Mandy leaves, Georgie shows CeeCee around his bedroom, pointing out the poster of Axl Rose, the weight bench, and “the sink your mom totally peed in once.”
In the university parking lot, Sheldon is waiting as President Hagemeyer gets out of her car. Sheldon remarks on her driving a Volvo, “safe and flashy. Like me.” Hagemeyer isn’t ready to deal with Sheldon as she hasn’t had her coffee yet. Sheldon thought she might feel that way so he came prepared. Sheldon hands Hagemeyer a coffee, which she starts to drink. Sheldon isn’t a coffee drinker so he hopes seven sugars is okay. Hagemeyer splutters and asks what’s so important it’s got him outside. Sheldon explains he had an idea that he thinks might be beneficial to both the university and himself. “An exclusive summer program led by a prestigious scientist of my choosing.” Hagemeyer instead suggests he apply to a school that already has one, get into the program, and go there. After Sheldon admits with his resume he might not get in anywhere, Hagemeyer explains the university does not have the time or resources to create a brand-new summer program. Sheldon insists that’s just sleepy talk, and encourages her to drink more of the coffee. Hagemeyer reiterates the answer is no and walks off.
When Georgie arrives at the gambling room with CeeCee in her stroller, regular customer Wade asks whose baby that is. Mine, Georgie explains. Wade questions why he brought his baby daughter to a gambling room. Georgie argues that with the flashing lights and fun noises, it’s basically Chuck E. Cheese. After Wade asks to touch CeeCee’s head for good luck, Georgie says no, but relents when Wade tells him he just washed his hands. After Wade touches CeeCee's head for luck, his gambling machine pays out. Another customer, Gwen, asks if she can rub CeeCee’s head for good luck. Georgie says no one else is touchin' his baby's head... for free. As Georgie decides to charge $5 per customer, Wade tells Gwen it’s worth it.
Meemaw arrives in the gambling room and tells Georgie they need to talk. He says if it’s about CeeCee being here, he can explain. After Meemaw asks where CeeCee is, Georgie explains she’s being cradled by another customer, Eric. Georgie insists it’s fine as Eric has, like, 15 grandkids. Meemaw says they’ll get back to that. She has spent the whole day listening to Mandy complain about Georgie. Meemaw tells Georgie if he really wants to be with Mandy he should not stand in the way of her career. Georgie insists that’s not what he’s doing, arguing he just wants the best for CeeCee. “Obviously,” Meemaw says with a scoff. “Don't you think she deserves a mom who's home with her?”, Georgie asks his grandmother. Meemaw says she thinks CeeCee deserves a mom who's happy and supported by her dad. “Huh.”, Georgie says. When Meemaw notices a female customer rubbing CeeCee's head, Georgie informs the woman she'll have to pay for that.
As Sheldon stands at a whiteboard in Dr. Linkletter’s office, he sighs and tells himself, “Come on, Cooper.” In the doorway, Dr. Linkletter tells Dr. Sturgis that Sheldon has been here all morning, and he can’t get him to leave. When Sheldon notices they’re both there, he says this will go quicker with the three of them. John asks with a laugh if Sheldon is trying to solve unified field theory. “Yes.”, Sheldon answers. “Who needs a summer program if you can solve what Albert Einstein couldn't. Let's see Caltech say no to this.” John tells Sheldon he won’t solve it in an afternoon. “Or ever.”, Linkletter adds. Sheldon argues he needs to do something to stand out. John tells Sheldon he is putting too much pressure on summer school. After all, he can apply again next year. Sheldon says he can’t wait a whole year, falling further behind. Sheldon insists he has to keep pushing himself or he'll fall farther and farther behind until he’s a... “aging professor in a small university with nothing to show for his work”. Linkletter claims he’s talking about John, but John concedes he’s talking about both of them. A frantic Sheldon declares he’s wasting too much time sleeping at night, wondering whether it’s time he starts “chasing the caffeine dragon”. Linkletter implores Sheldon to listen to them, but Sheldon says they’ve failed him as mentors. After Linkletter grabs an eraser and starts wiping Sheldon’s work from the whiteboard, Sheldon wonders what he’s doing. Linkletter explains that Sheldon is still the student, this is still his office, and it's time for him to leave. John backs Linkletter up, so Sheldon walks out in a huff.
[aw 2006]
When Georgie arrives home with CeeCee, Mandy is delighted to see her. After Mandy questions why CeeCee smells of smoke, Georgie explains she hung out with him in the gaming room all day. Georgie tells Mandy he will support her if she gets that job. As Mandy picks up CeeCee, Georgie wonders why she seems sad. Mandy explains this is the longest she’s been away from CeeCee and it was awful. Mandy admits she doesn’t know whether she does want the job. Georgie encourages her to take a shot. He says she was all excited about the job, and if she gets it she can still turn it down. Georgie tells her he’d love to see her on TV.
Missy returns home from school to find Sheldon sprawled across the couch, with "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head" playing on the record player. Confused, Missy asks what's wrong. Sheldon insists she wouldn’t understand as these are grown-up problems, but he starts to explain them anyway. Sheldon had always assumed that he'd be the youngest student in grad school, and then the youngest person to win the Nobel Prize, but now it's all slipping away. Missy argues no one cares how old he is. When Sheldon asks if she thinks he's treated differently because of his age and intellect, Missy readily agrees. “At grad school, everybody's going to be smart. If I'm not the youngest, how am I gonna stand out?”, Sheldon wonders. Missy points out that he’s a child genius arguing about growing up to be a regular genius, which is a stupid thing to do. Missy thinks this is not a big deal. She changes her tune, however, when Sheldon mentions he might not leave for Cal-Tech until he’s the grand age of 15. Missy realizes this is about him moving out, and insists it is a big deal.
At the studios of the local TV station, Mandy is standing in front of a green screen as a producer tells her they’re going to put her on tape and see how it goes. After saying she’s ready and taking a deep breath, Mandy gives a confident performance with plenty of personality, even getting a few laughs. Adult Sheldon notes that Mandy was proving that new mothers could do anything anyone else could do. In fact, they could do more… like make their own milk, right there, on camera. When Mandy crosses her arms, the producer asks if everything is okay. Mandy continues the report with her arms crossed, attempting to point to weather patterns with her head and even her foot. After Mandy wraps up the report, she walks straight off the set, her arms still crossed.
When Sheldon joins Dr. Sturgis and Dr. Linkletter in Grant's office, Sheldon apologizes for his recent behavior. Sheldon concedes to the inevitable: he will age out of being a child prodigy with or without anyone’s help. Dr. John Sturgis appreciates Sheldon's maturity in admitting his mistake, which Sheldon notes is also a sign of growing up. Dr. Linkletter insists nobody is more excited for Sheldon to attend grad school than he is. Dr. Sturgis then shares some exciting news with Sheldon: he reached out to a colleague at the University of Heidelberg who is running a summer research program, and Sturgis thinks he can get Sheldon in. Dr. Linkletter argues only a fool would say no to a summer program 5,000 miles away. Sheldon can see participating in this program would help his grad school applications. After Sheldon learns they’re doing work on superstrings, he exclaims “Fantastisch" - explaining that’s German for "fantastic”. Dr. Linkletter says “Ich helfe dir beim packen”, adding that’s German for “I’ll help you pack.”
