Episode Recap
Adult Sheldon explains that he wasn't always as emotionally intelligent as he is today. When his father died, he was flummoxed by all the different ways people expressed grief. Mary threw herself into religion. Meemaw turned to a different kind of spirit. Georgie tried to fill the vacuum created by their father's passing. And then there were the friends and neighbors who expressed their grief with food: Brenda Sparks, June, Audrey each stopped by with a homemade casserole, while Peg arrived with one she had purchased. Sheldon thought about Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and how upset he was over the death of Spock. At the kitchen table, Sheldon is pulled out of his daydream when Missy asks what he’s doing. He explains he’s thinking about Star Trek. “What is wrong with you? Our dad just died”, Missy snaps before storming off. Adult Sheldon adds, “And some people express their grief by lashing out.”
In the living room, Pastor Jeff asks the family if there are any photos of George they would like to display at the service “Um…”, Mary hesitates, unsure, but Georgie steps in and tells his mother he’ll take care of that. Pastor Jeff then asks if George had a favorite song or hymn that could be played. Georgie recalls how his father always played “Born to be Wild” as the football team ran out on the field. Pastor Jeff isn’t sure the organist knows that one. Meemaw offers to bring a boombox. Pastor Jeff politely refers to that as plan B.
As the family continue to discuss the funeral arrangements with Pastor Jeff, Sheldon zones out as he thinks back to the last time he saw his father. He remembers how George offered Missy a ride to school, only for her to turn it down; how Mary reminded George about the photo shoot at 4:00, and how George said, “See y’all”, and nobody responded as he left. Sheldon imagines time rewinding… George says “see y’all” once more, but this time Sheldon calls out, “Dad, wait.” “Yeah?”, George replies. Sheldon, quoting Star Trek II, tells him, “I have been, and always shall be, your friend.” “Live long and prosper”, George responds, giving Sheldon the Vulcan salute. As Sheldon returns the Vulcan salute, George gives Sheldon a subtle nod and keeps eye contact as he leaves. Time rewinds again… After George says “see y’all” and starts to leave, Sheldon calls, “Dad, wait.” “Yeah?”, George asks. This time, Sheldon simply says, “Bye, dad.” “Bye, son”, George replies with a gentle nod before walking out the door.
In the living room, Mary pulls Sheldon out of his time-rewinding fantasies. “Shelly?”, she gently asks. Missy accuses him of thinking about “stupid Star Trek stuff” again. Sheldon clarifies that he was contemplating “alternate realities branching off from a single decision point,” and only one of those scenarios involved Star Trek. Missy reminds him they’re talking about their dad’s funeral. Why doesn’t he care? Sheldon argues the details of the funeral are irrelevant as they won’t change anything. Missy snaps, saying she can’t wait for Sheldon’s funeral. Georgie intervenes, saying that’s enough out of the two of them. Missy pushes back, retorting that he’s not their dad and can’t tell them what to do. Meemaw declares that’s enough. Pastor Jeff tries to calm things, insisting it’s healthy for everyone to get their feelings out. “Oh, shut up, Jeff!”, Missy complains. Mary is shocked, and orders Missy to go to her room. “How about I just go?”, a visibly upset Missy says as she leaves.
After Missy leaves, the family gets back to discussing the funeral arrangements with Pastor Jeff. Sheldon once again fantasises about the last time he saw his dad. After George says “see y'all later” and Mary reminds George it’s 4:00, Sheldon calls out, “Dad, wait.” “Yeah?”, George responds. “I love you”, Sheldon tells his dad. “I love you, too, son”, George replies, maintaining eye contact with Sheldon. George gives his son a subtle nod and then leaves.
As Missy sits on the front porch, Billy Sparks comes over to say hi and offer her some food. Missy thanks him but says she’s not hungry. Billy sits down beside Missy and tells her he’s real sorry. Her dad was always nice to him. Missy tells Billy that her dad liked him, too. Billy says they have something in common now. What? “My dad's gone, too”, Billy explains. Missy points out Billy’s dad is in New Jersey, but Billy insists he’s not coming back. Missy is sorry for him. Billy then asks, “Want a hug?” “No.” “Want a kiss?” “No!” “Yeah, me neither”, Billy agrees.
As Missy watches MTV in the den, Dale comes in from the kitchen with a beer. Dale asks how she’s doing. “All right”, Missy insists. Her calm is broken when Dale sits down with his beer in George’s chair. “What the hell are you doing?”, she asks. “Sitting.” “Not there”, Missy tells him. Dale apologizes and moves over to the couch. When he asks if his new seat is all right, Missy just scoffs, gets up and leaves. Then, Sheldon comes into the den and tells Dale, “you’re in my spot”. Dale apologizes and shifts over. “Here, have a seat”, Dale offers. Sheldon explains he doesn’t want to sit there, but that’s his spot. Dale sighs to himself.
After Mary opens the door to Coach Wilkins, she invites him in. Wayne explains that he cleared out George’s desk and thought she might want his belongings. Wilkins starts to speak, saying, “I just wanted you to know that if there's anything that you or the kids need…”, but he starts sobbing. Over his cries, he tells Mary, “I'm here for y'all.” Mary is moved, particularly as Wayne keeps crying. Mary thanks him, saying she appreciates it. As Wayne continues to sob, Mary asks if he’s doing okay. “Oh, yeah, yeah. Don't worry about me”, he says between sobs. Mary gets him a tissue. As he blows his nose, Wayne says he just misses George, you know. “I do”, Mary agrees. Wayne mentions how he used to tease George and say he was his best white friend, “but the truth is that he was my best friend.” Mary reassures him that he was George’s best friend, too. Wayne, still overcome with emotion, acknowledges that he’s not being much help, but Mary assures him that it’s okay. She then asks if he’s hungry, explaining they have a lot of food. “I could eat”, Wayne says after blowing his nose. Mary hopes he likes casserole. “I do like casserole.”
When Sheldon steps out of his bedroom, he glances into Missy’s room and sees her sitting on her bed, holding the tiara from her Red Lobster “daddy-daughter date” with George. As Sheldon walks into the den, he looks out the window and sees Dale comforting Meemaw in the backyard. In the kitchen, he finds Mary placing a comforting hand on Coach Wilkins’ shoulder. “Eventually I realized there was a better way to deal with grief: avoid it completely”, Adult Sheldon notes. Later, as Sheldon walks around the college campus, Dr. Sturgis sees Sheldon and calls out his name. “Oh, hello”, Sheldon responds, quickening his pace. “I just wanted to tell you how sorry…”, John begins, but Sheldon keeps walking. “No, thank you”, Sheldon interrupts. “Well, if there's anything you need…”, John says, but Sheldon cuts him off again. “Nope”, he says, disappearing from sight.
Georgie stops by a dry cleaner and tells the female owner he has a suit to pick up for Cooper. As she inspects an item of clothing from the rack, she asks, “George Cooper?” “Yes, ma’am”, Georgie confirms. When she pulls the suit from the rack, she remarks that it looks a little big for him. Georgie chuckles, replying, “It’s my Dad’s” without elaborating. “Nice of you to pick it up for him.”, she tells him, “That'll be eight dollars.” Georgie feels a lump forming in his throat as he nods.
When Meemaw goes to check on Mary in her bedroom, Mary explains she’s working on her speech for the funeral. Meemaw, speaking from experience, knows it’s not easy. After Mary asks where Dale is, Meemaw says he was just wandering around, scared to sit anywhere, so she sent him home. Meemaw asks Mary if she wants to read her what she’s got so far. Mary sighs and then starts to read out, "George was a good husband, a good father and a good coach." Meemaw tells her to keep going, but Mary admits that’s all she’s got. Mary says she doesn’t know how to do this. “Oh, honey, why would you?”, Meemaw responds. Mary asks how her mother got through Dad’s funeral. Meemaw worries her daughter will think less of her, before admitting, “I drank tequila and smoked a marijuana cigarette.” Mary admits she “took a couple of puffs” in her senior year of high school. “The devil's lettuce?!”, Meemaw exclaims, feigning shock. Mary reveals George was the one who gave it to her. Meemaw chuckles, saying she knew he was a bad influence. Mary explains it was the night before he shipped out to Vietnam, they snuck into her bedroom and… “Mary Tucker!”, Meemaw interrupts in faux outrage. Mary laughs and says she wanted George to know what he was fighting for. Meemaw insists that’s a story Mary should tell at the service. “In my church, in front of my children?”, Mary asks. Meemaw argues it’s patriotic.
Mary tells Meemaw she can’t help feeling there’s something wrong with her. “What are you talking about?”, Meemaw asks. “I know it doesn't make sense, but… I am mad at him for leaving me.”, Mary admits. Meemaw understands. She felt the same way when Mary’s daddy passed. “How did you get over it?”, Mary questions. “Time”, Meemaw acknowledges, adding, “And Dale helps.” Mary is happy Meemaw found Dale. “You're still young, honey”, Meemaw tells her daughter. “No”, Mary responds, clearing her throat, “That's it for me. I'm done.”
Back on the college campus, Sheldon sits on his dorm bed, staring blankly ahead. George’s last words at home echo in his mind. In Sheldon’s imagination, the scene replays: George says “see y’all”, and Mary reminds him of the photo shoot at 4:00. This time, Sheldon interrupts. “Dad, wait.”, he says. “Yeah?”, his father replies. “Can I go with you?”, Sheldon asks. “Sure”, George responds, adding, “Maybe we could play some of them car games you love on the way.” “I’d like that”, Sheldon says. He gets up and walks over to George, who holds the door open for him. As Sheldon steps outside, George closes the door behind them. The door clicks shut, and Sheldon snaps back to reality. He stares off into the distance again.
Inside the church, George lies in an open casket, surrounded by photos of him with his family and the football team, next to his coaching jacket. There are flowers all around, including a football-themed display. Sheldon leans against a wall, standing by himself. At the front of the church, Meemaw, Mary and Georgie greet Jim and Audrey. Mandy stands alongside them with CeeCee in her stroller. Audrey tells Mary they’re so sorry. “Well, I didn't know him long, but, uh, I loved that guy”, Jim admits. Georgie tells his father-in-law that his dad “felt like y'all were long-lost friends.” As Jim’s voice breaks and he starts to cry, Mandy suggests they go get him some Kleenex.
Meemaw greets Dr. Sturgis and Dr. Linkletter, saying “Aren't y'all sweet to come?”. John mentions that he saw Sheldon the other day, but Sheldon wouldn’t talk to him. “Is he okay?”, John asks. Mary admits that Sheldon isn’t really talking to anybody right now. Dr. Linkletter insists they will keep him company. John adds, “I'll, uh, try to distract him by telling him the latest news about leptons.” “He'll like that”, Meemaw replies, “He's crazy about the leptons.” “Who isn’t?”, John wonders, before he and Grant walk off.
Near the front of the church, as they pay their respects, Mr. Givens asks Brenda Sparks how she knew George. “Next-door neighbor”, Brenda replies. “Oh. So, you knew him well?”, Mr. Givens asks. “A little”, Brenda says, in a clear understatement. “How about you?”, she asks in return. Mr. Givens explains that he taught Sheldon science. “Oh, I'm sorry”, she responds. “Thank you”. Brenda then mentions that she’s single. “Same”, Mr. Givens replies.
Mary approaches Missy, who is sitting next to Billy Sparks in a pew, to say if she wants a minute with Dad before they close the casket, now's the time. A nervous look crosses Missy’s face, so Mary tells her, “It's okay if you don't.” Missy hesitates but then insists she has to. She walks up to George’s casket, and then flashes back to their Red Lobster “daddy-daughter dinner date”. She recalls how George helped her eat lobster for the first time, and she asked him to sit and eat with her on her side of the table. In the present, Missy cries as she says, “Thank you for that. Thank you for everything.” She sniffles. “I love you.”
After Georgie goes up to his father’s casket, he tells his dad he doesn’t need to worry. “I've got everything under control. Won't let you down, Dad.” Mary walks over to Sheldon, who is standing quietly by Dr. Sturgis and Dr. Linkletter. She tells him they’re gonna close the casket, so if he wants to say goodbye to his dad… Sheldon simply shakes his head. Mary exchanges a glance with Dr. Sturgis and Dr. Linkletter, both of whom appear saddened by Sheldon’s emotional detachment.
After Mary walks up to George’s casket, she jokes, “You really didn't want to take that family portrait, did you?” She presses a kiss to her hand and places it on George’s forehead. “See you later”, she says before turning and walking away.
Later, Georgie stands at the podium and gives a speech. “When I quit the football team, I thought my dad was gonna kill me. And then, when I quit high school, I really thought he was gonna kill me. Then, when I got my girlfriend pregnant... I was sure he was gonna kill me. But as you can see, he didn't. No matter what I did, he always had my back.” Georgie looks over to the casket and says, “I love you, Dad.”
Pastor Jeff says now George's loving wife Mary would like to say a few words. Mary goes up to the microphone. “Um…”, she clears her throat. “I met George in high school. Well, I was in high school. He was an older man with a motorcycle.”, Mary says to a smattering of laughter. “I'd like to tell you he caught my eye, but actually it was the motorcycle.” As the attendees laugh, Mary’s voice breaks. “I'm sorry, I can't... do this. I am... so angry.” Mary sighs. “George and I had our ups and downs, but we were finally in such a good place, and then he... left.” Mary starts crying. “He left all of us. I- How could you do that?” In the pews, Meemaw stands up. “I am so mad at him. I'm mad at God, I'm mad at myself for not trying harder while he was here.” Meemaw goes up to comfort Mary. “This wasn't supposed to happen.” As Mary sobs, Meemaw hugs her. In the pews, Georgie puts his arm around a crying Missy. Meanwhile, Sheldon sits stoic and alone. He sees his brother comforting his twin sister. After Meemaw steps up to the microphone, Pastor Jeff walks Mary back to her seat beside Sheldon.
After Meemaw takes to the microphone, Pastor Jeff stands at the side of the “stage”? Meemaw begins, “I know this is hard for everyone. It's certainly hard for me. But no one... is more upset with George's passing than the Lone Star Beer company. That flag is at half-mast.”, earning a round of laughter. “On the other hand, there's a lot of cows out there that are breathing a sigh of relief. As the king of brisket has put down his fork and ridden off into the sunset.” As laughter fills the room, Missy turns to Georgie, confused. “Why are they laughing at Dad?” “'Cause they love him”, Georgie responds. Meemaw continues, “I wasn't always a big supporter of George and Mary being an item. As a matter of fact, whenever he came to visit, I would always invite Mary's slutty friend Janice over, hoping to catch his interest.” Amid laughter, Meemaw looks to Janice in the crowd. “Hey, Janice. Thanks for coming. You're a doll.” Meemaw goes on to say, “George only had eyes for Mary. And of course brisket. And over the years, he surely earned my respect. He was a good man.” Meemaw’s voice breaks as she ends her speech by saying, “And I will always be proud... to call him my son.”
Coach Wilkins and Principal Petersen stand at the microphone. Overcome with emotion, Coach Wilkins sobs into the mic, struggling to speak. Eventually, Petersen takes over. “Uh, what Wayne here is trying to say, uh, is, uh, George was a hell of a coach. He was a hell of a friend. And we're gonna miss him a hell of a lot.” Through his tears, Wilkins manages to add, “Thank you.”
Before beginning the final prayer, Pastor Jeff asks if anyone else would like to say a few words. Mary asks Missy, who shakes her head and silently mouths “no”. Mary then turns to Sheldon, asking, “Shelly?” Sheldon stands up and walks to the microphone. “I've been thinking a lot about the last moments I had with my dad.”, he begins. “It was morning, and he was leaving for work. He said, 'See y'all later." And I said nothing. I regret that.” He continues, “I could have said ‘bye’ or asked him for a ride. Or told him that I loved him. But I didn't. I barely noticed he left. So many times that I didn't notice my father. I hope he knew how much I loved him.” Adult Sheldon narrates, “I wish I could tell you I said all those things. But I didn't.” Back at the moment where Mary asks Sheldon if he wants to speak, he simply shakes his head. Mary looks at Pastor Jeff, signalling that no one else wants to speak. Pastor Jeff says, “Let's bow our heads in prayer”, before leading the mourners in the Lord’s Prayer.
As the mourners pray, Adult Sheldon reflects, “For a long time, I focused on my father's shortcomings. Now that I'm his age and have kids of my own, I realize he was just a person doing the best he could, and he did a lot. I didn't say it at his funeral, but I can say it now. I loved my father. I will miss him forever.”
