Following a two-week hiatus, the CBS sitcom celebrated its latest major milestone and, instead of a cameo from any of The Big Bang Theory characters, Young Sheldon brought back McKenna Grace’s Paige instead. Introduced in Young Sheldon season 2, Paige has appeared on the show several times over the years.

Young Sheldon’s 100th episode marks the return of Paige Swanson, and her story effectively makes her absence in The Big Bang Theory much darker. Warning! SPOILERS for Young Sheldon’s 100th episode. McKenna Grace’s Paige Swanson returned for Young Sheldon ‘s 100th episode and it made her absence on The Big Bang Theory much darker.

The pair’s relationship has been complicated thus far, primarily because of Sheldon’s irritation of her because she’s effortlessly smart and doesn’t have the same social issues as he does. But considering the fact she’s been an integral part of Sheldon’s childhood, it’s interesting why he never talked about Paige on The Big Bang Theory.

When asked about how Paige’s dark arc affects Sheldon’s future, Young Sheldon co-creator Steven Molaro tells Deadline that it gives the socially-inept genius some perspective of how difficult life can be. Whether or not it will explicitly set up the character’s arc in the show is uncertain, and, unfortunately, the producer didn’t say.

Why is Sheldon so irritated with Paige?

Not used to having someone as smart as he is, Sheldon is irritated with Paige – especially since she makes good counterpoints that he’s unable to shoot down. She challenges him intellectually in a way that humbles him. While Sheldon dislikes dealing with her, he doesn’t seem to hate her enough to drive her away.

The Big Bang Theory found Sheldon the most ideal partner in Amy, but he could have been better off had he married Young Sheldon’s Paige. Sheldon (Jim Parsons) is currently happily married to Amy (Mayim Bialik) in The Big Bang Theory, but he may have been better …

Comment. Sheldon (Jim Parsons) is currently happily married to Amy (Mayim Bialik) in The Big Bang Theory, but he may have been better off had he ended up with his Texas friend, Paige, instead.

Oftentimes, Amy is the voice of reason in their relationship, further alienating her husband as the only truly eccentric member of the Pasadena gang. Despite that, she lacks the conviction that needed to straighten out Sheldon when he’s truly being unreasonable.

By the end of season 10, Sheldon finally got on one knee and asked Amy to marry him and, after another season, the two tied the knot with Mark Hamill officiating. But while the couple has been doing well as newly-weds – even being up for a joint Nobel Prize for Physics – Sheldon may have found a better life if he’d married Paige.

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