Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage has become a very successful sequel to a prequel, following the timeline in Young Sheldon, which itself serves as an origin story for Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory. And while the sitcom stands on its own, there are a ton of Easter eggs that tie it back to Young Sheldon beyond the obvious guest appearances and character backstories. Only die-hard fans will have noticed these small details, which bring the story full circle and tie it not only to the prequel but also to future canon in The Big Bang Theory.
8
A Different Actor Played Connor in ‘Young Sheldon’
Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage isn’t the first time Mandy’s (Emily Osment) older brother, Connor, appeared on the show. He was in one episode of Young Sheldon when Mandy’s parents came over to meet George Sr. (Lance Barber) and Mary (Zoe Perry). But he’s played by a different actor. Joe Apollonio portrays the character, who ends up hanging out with Sheldon (Iain Armitage) and engaging in awkward conversation while the parents get to know one another.
For the new series, the character was recast and is now played by Dougie Baldwin. As a main character in the series, more of his personality and quirks shine through, along with the interesting way Georgie (Montana Jordan) tries to build his confidence, in stark contrast to the way he behaved towards Sheldon. There’s no explanation of why Connor looks different. But seeing as the Young Sheldon appearance was a brief, single-episode one, it’s easy to forget.
7
Older Georgie Was Right About Sheldon
During one of the few times older Georgie, played by Jerry O’Connell, appears in The Big Bang Theory, he confronts his younger brother for the first time. He recalls how Sheldon (Jim Parsons) left for university right after their father died, leaving Georgie to pick up the pieces. While Georgie has moved out of his mother’s house and in with his in-laws, he is still very much the one left to care for their mother, Mary, and little sister Missy (Raegan Revord).
Both characters have made guest appearances on the series, often with Georgie trying to keep his mother involved in his granddaughter’s life and to make sure she’s okay. He has dealt with Missy on multiple occasions as well, doing his best to ensure she treats their mother well, stays in school, and stays out of trouble.
That one speech in The Big Bang Theory really hit home, and the way the situation plays out in Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage proves it was true. Georgie took on the brunt of caring for his grieving mother and rebellious sister while Sheldon left his old life behind to pursue his education. There are hints that Sheldon could make a guest appearance, but even if it pans out, this brief conversation between older Georgie and Sheldon pops up in the back of our minds as we see Georgie work so hard to care for his family.
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Georgie’s Start as a Successful Tire Salesman
We know from future Georgie, who makes a few cameo appearances in The Big Bang Theory, that Georgie eventually becomes a successful tire shop owner. The seeds of this career path are planted in Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, confirming that he got into the business through his first wife, Mandy’s father Jim (Will Sasso). He begins working at Jim’s tire shop and eventually buys the business alongside the shop’s mechanic, Ruben (Jessie Prez). Interestingly, Mary helps by putting her home up for collateral.
It’s evident that even long after Georgie’s inevitable break-up with Mandy, he continues on this path. He takes the store in new directions, expanding its reach and becoming the “Tire King of Texas.” While his wild ideas seem rash now, knowing that they work out in the end makes die-hard fans view his ahead-of-their-time ideas in a different light.
5
The Mexican Restaurant Returns
The local Mexican restaurant La Puerta Roja Cantina is a popular spot in the franchise. Georgie and Mandy had their first date there in Young Sheldon, and Osment appeared in a role originally intended to be short-lived. Other scenes have featured the restaurant, including ones with Connie (Annie Potts) on dates and enjoying drinks with June (Reba McEntire).
It seems this is the place families go for a fancy dinner. It offers Mexican cuisine that’s a departure from the usual southern home-cooked fare. It’s a rarity that they go out, but most times it’s there, except for that memorable Young Sheldon episode when George Sr. takes Missy out for a daddy-daughter dinner at an even fancier place, Red Lobster.
4
Georgie Wants To Call His Shop Dr. Tire
By the time O’Connell’s version of Georgie appears in The Big Bang Theory, he runs a national chain of tire shops called Dr. Tire. In Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, after Georgie buys the tire shop McAllister Auto & Tire, he makes an offhand remark about wanting to rename it Dr. Tire. While we know Georgie and Mandy don’t last, it appears the career he took on because of his father-in-law does.
Based on this lore, Georgie did in fact go on to rename the store just that, since this is the name cited for his business in The Big Bang Theory. Given how successful we know Georgie became, all the little nuggets he drops about ways he wants to improve the business seem to pay off. Knowing this makes his drive and focus so much more exciting to see on the show.
3
Georgie Drives His Father’s Old Truck
Georgie drives a truck on the show, and some fans might have figured it was either his truck before, he got it from Mr. McAllister as a work vehicle for the towing end of the company, or he bought it himself once he started working full-time. But it is indeed the very same Ford F-250 truck that his father, George Sr., drove.
Presumably, in his father’s death, Georgie inherited the truck, since Mary and Missy would not have driven it. Sheldon was not in town, nor did he drive (and in fact, did not even get his license until much later in life). It was one of those clever details that only die-hard fans noticed. It was never explicitly noted, but the show’s creator has confirmed it.
2
The Bluebell Diner is Back
After Georgie finds out that Mandy has massive credit card debt, he takes on a night job driving a tow truck as part of the tire shop business to help pay it off. Mandy eventually returns to work, waitressing, to bring in some cash while her mom takes care of CeCe. Mandy’s place of employment might be familiar to Young Sheldon fans.
The Bluebell Diner is where Mandy worked before dating Georgie and while she was pregnant with CeCe. In fact, Georgie goes to see Mandy there several times in Young Sheldon while trying to convince her to continue dating him and raise the child together. It’s also an establishment that the Coopers have dined at before. Mandy’s family has been seen eating there from time to time as well.
1
Officer Gilroy Is Familiar With the Coopers
When Georgie learns that most of Mandy’s credit card debt stems from money she lent to an ex-boyfriend, he visits the man to demand repayment. To do so, he decides to rob a bank. His attempt, however, is thwarted by Officer Gilroy (Rebecca Metz), who is already familiar to the Coopers.
She’s also the officer (and actor) who busted Connie’s illegal gambling parlor in the back room of her laundromat in Young Sheldon. Chances are, any time there are legal dealings on this new show, perhaps even involving Connie, who has made guest appearances, Officer Gilroy may be the one on the scene, further tying the two shows together.