5 Times Sheldon was the Smartest Character on Young Sheldon & 5 Times He Was Outsmarted

5 Times Sheldon Was the Smartest Character on Young Sheldon & Times He Was Outsmarted

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the times when young Sheldon lived up to his child genius status and times he was knocked off his perch. If you’re not caught up with the series, you might find some spoilers ahead.

#5: Smartest: Being a Team Player with Sports Analytics
“A Solar Calculator, a Game Ball, and a Cheerleader’s Bosom”

Sheldon isn’t an athlete by any means but that doesn’t mean he never engages in the world of sport. In this episode, George realizes that his son’s unique talents are quite handy when strategizing game plans. After his team’s success, Connie tries to get in on the action, getting her young grandson to help her beat the odds on her sporting bets, too. As everyone’s winning streak soars, so does Sheldon’s popularity. Only this is one of those times when his intelligence gets too much even for him. We’d argue that Sheldon’s smartest move here is taking control back over his life— although, did he really need to take everyone down, too?

#5: Outsmarted: Unable to Reason With Philosophy
“A Philosophy Class and Worms That Can Chase You” & “An Existential Crisis and a Bear That Makes Bubbles”

Sheldon takes great pride in knowing everything and doesn’t like to feel his knowledge is being challenged. So maybe philosophy class isn’t the place for him. Indeed, Sheldon finds his entire worldview shaken by Professor Ericson to the point that he’s no longer sure what’s real. When Sheldon tries arguing with his teacher, the last remnants of his belief system crumble. Sheldon ends up stuck in bed, mulling over what’s real and what’s not. It takes his Meemaw and a live chicken to snap him out of it. Ultimately, it’s Professor Ericson who helps restore Sheldon’s sense of reality, showing him that not having all the answers can be rather thrilling.

#4: Smartest: Playing by the Rules
“Contracts, Rules and a Little Bit of Pig Brains”

While George and Georgie head off for an awkward camping trip, the twins try to decide how they want to spend the day. Naturally, Missy and Sheldon have completely different ideas of what’s fun and can’t agree on anything. So, instead, they spend the day competing to determine who gets to decide. They pass the whole day playing games that largely seem to fall within Missy’s wheelhouse. But hang on, this is Sheldon we’re talking about. He hates losing and would never agree to something he’s not good at, so something doesn’t add up. Unless, of course, he didn’t really lose. Sneaky Sheldon, smart but very sneaky!

#4: Outsmarted: The Twin Study
“A Research Study and Czechoslovakian Wedding Pastries”

Yes, when it comes to book smarts, Sheldon is practically in a league of his own. However, that’s far from the only intelligence worth measuring (no matter what he says). So when Sheldon and Missy take part in a twin study, he, of course, nails the problem-solving section, but when it comes to emotional intelligence, he falls short. Missy, on the other hand, shows a lot of intuitive empathy and plenty of imagination. While it isn’t a contest (technically), Missy clearly comes out on top. Plus, she’s smart enough to demand her fair share of the study fee— even if she does need Sheldon’s help to figure out the math.

#3: Smartest: Developing & Defending His Database
“A Tougher Nut and a Note on File” & “Ruthless, Toothless, and a Week of Bed Rest”

Oh, the struggle of hunting down that elusive comic book! Remember the days when there wasn’t a handy database at your fingertips? Sheldon sure does. He soon realizes that his idea has other uses and presents it to President Hagemeyer. Unfortunately for Sheldon, it’s such a good idea that she, soon joined by Dr. Linkletter, is hot on his heels, trying to beat him to the finish line. Still, Sheldon’s efforts to protect his idea and stall for time prove he has all the makings to become an evil genius. Well, until he shorts out the whole power grid. That certainly will buy everyone some time!

#3: Outsmarted: Almost Any Interaction With Paige
Various

Sheldon loves being the smartest person in the room, and he often is. That is until he meets Paige Swanson, another child prodigy who often gets a kick out of challenging him— and he usually makes it so easy for her! Practically, every time their paths cross, she manages to get under his skin, and it’s always hilarious. Paige doesn’t have the easiest home life, and unlike Sheldon, she struggles to fit in with her older peers. Yet, when she’s around him, nothing seems to give her a bigger thrill than making him squirm. Sure, Sheldon has tried to match her wit, but she always delivers the final blow.

#2: Smartest: Sheldon vs. IRS
“Mitch’s Son and the Unconditional Approval of a Government Agency”

As Mary once mentioned, Sheldon has been doing the Coopers’ taxes since he was six years old, and they have never been audited. Well, until his ego gets in the way. When the IRS claims they underreported their income, Sheldon ignores his father’s warnings and opens up a whole can of worms. They get audited in a fierce battle between Sheldon and the IRS agent. Sheldon describes the whole ordeal as a game of chess, and it gets pretty intense. The IRS agent calls check with an underhanded move that leaves Sheldon shaken. However, after a pep talk from his father, he comes back fighting, and calls checkmate.

#2: Outsmarted: Sheldon vs. Engineering
“An Introduction to Engineering and a Glob of Hair Gel”

Ever wondered why Sheldon holds such a vendetta against engineers? This episode answers everything. In it, Sheldon meets Professor Boucher, a former Army Corps Engineer who brings his military precision to the classroom. While Sheldon is initially in awe of his new teacher, his excitement fades fast when faced with their first assignment. Try as he might, Sheldon’s efforts always befall the same fate. Boucher doesn't cut him any slack, convincing even George that his tough-love teaching style is the key to preparing Sheldon for the future. Just as Sheldon thinks he finally gets it, he finds himself locked out of class. And there you have it, the reason Sheldon hates engineering.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Smartest: Restoring Mary’s Faith, “A Crisis of Faith and Octopus Aliens”
He May Be a Staunch Atheist, but He Knows How to Help His Mom When She Needs It Most

Outsmarted: Getting Duct Taped to a Wall, “A Resident Advisor and the Word ‘Sketchy’”
Well, That’s One Way to Deal With a Pesky RA

Smartest: Showing Personal Growth, “Funeral”
Is There a Higher Form of Intelligence Than Self-Development?

Outsmarted: Princess Sheldon, “A Secret Letter and a Lowly Disc of Processed Meat”
Sheldon’s a Stickler for the Rules & Missy Knows Exactly How to Play That

#1: Smartest: Taking On NASA
“A Patch, a Modem, and a Zantac”

Sheldon’s quite the grudge-holder, and there’s no lengths he won’t go to prove himself right! So when a NASA engineer visits his school and doesn’t take his ideas seriously, he’s not letting that go. Not even for a NASA patch. Instead, he throws himself into proving his point, crunching numbers, and unraveling equations to show he was right all along. When Sheldon essentially has a meltdown because no one responds to him, George decides it’s time to take a trip to Houston. Once there, Sheldon gets a chance to explain his vision to the engineer. Only he soon finds out that it’s not the math that’s the problem. Sheldon:1, NASA: 0.

#1: Outsmarted: No Longer the Smartest Kid in Class
“A Roulette Wheel and a Piano Playing Dog”

Sheldon may have had his intellect challenged by one or two people on occasion but never a whole class all at once. Yet, when he attends school in Germany, he experiences a swift drop from the top of the class to the class Dummkopf. He’s used to being the one snickering at other folks’ ignorance, yet now he’s the one getting laughed at. To make matters worse, much to his mom’s amusement, he’s stuck with some kid as his tutor— and she doesn’t take it easy on him either. He ends up calling Dr. Linkletter, who offers him invaluable advice. We’d like to say this experience humbled Sheldon, but we know better.

What do you think was Sheldon’s smartest moment, and which moments had you questioning if he really is a kid genius? Let us know in the comments.