Young Sheldon unexpectedly does something interesting and artistically exciting

Vox

CBS' Big Bang Theory spinoff is “at once better and worse than what you’d expect,” says Todd VanDerWerff. He adds: “It’s more or less an attempt to reboot The Wonder Years with the protagonist of an already popular sitcom reminiscing about his younger self. (Yes, Old Sheldon portrayer Jim Parsons is on hand to offer voiceover.) As such, it has a softer, more nostalgic, more film-like style, one that would likely result in tonal whiplash behind the more populist Big Bang Theory if the two didn’t feature literally the same main character.”

ALSO:

• It’s not a show designed for Big Bang Theory viewers who want frequent jokes

• Young Sheldon succeeds because it’s the anti-Big Bang Theory
• It’s hung up on a main character who we know isn’t going to change for the better