MarthaEllisanne

In Texas there is the TRS, Teacher's Retirement System, one of the largest pension systems in the US. Even during the time-frame of YS, Mary would have qualified for George's pension for life, depending on years of service TRS would also provide healthcare for her and dependent children, and a one-time life insurance payout which is basically enough for funeral expenses. Mary may also qualify for SS widow benefits and dependent child benefits until Missy and possibly Sheldon turn 18. There also may be some military benefits from George's service, but don't know much about that. With her church job and frugal lifestyle, Mary will probably be okay.

The show is starting to find its footing and was a solid episode. I like that it is continuing in the dramady mode of YS even though it is filmed as a sitcom. It gives the characters more depth and empathy. The skill of the actors was on full display when Audrey went to the kitchen after Jim. The exchanged looks of Mandy and Connor, who knew what was about to happen, were telling. You could almost feel the temperature drop in the room. Anyone who has spent a holiday with someone like Audrey knows that, even though the gathering starts out cheerful and convivial, something will happen that will cause her to turn on a dime. Those in the know enjoy the festivities warily because they know it won’t last. They are on tenterhooks waiting for something to set her off. I enjoyed seeing the YS characters. They made me wish that YS had been changed to The Coopers or Meemaw, etc. and continued the storylines of the family minus Sheldon and Dad. To me, Missy is an interesting character, full of teen angst and grief in a household where the mother is also grieving and wallowing in her religion. Missy is going to have to find her way mostly by herself and it would be interesting to watch. Her younger character had so much sparkle and spunk; she was fearless. I’d like to know if that spark is fulfilled or falls by the wayside in small town life. We know from YS & BBT that she had 4 kids, was divorced, and at one point, worked as a restaurant hostess. I’d like to know more. Perhaps she becomes like feisty, law-adjacent Meemaw. Missy can take over Meemaw’s gambling room and wind up owning a franchise of big casinos.

A few notes after watching 3 episodes: Shades of Mike & Molly with a house stuffed full of characters and the shopaholic wife - Lorre is an Executive Producer on both. (I hope that Joel Murray eventually appears in a hospital scene with his thumb in a cooler – another Lorre tradition.) I realized that the costumes are a bit off in both Young Sheldon and this show. In late 80’s early 90’s, girls and women in Texas wore big hair with their bangs puffed up and prom-bomb type fashion. Big shoulders, collars, sleeves, etc. Yes, I lived in Texas during that time (still do). Young Sheldon was perfect for me from the beginning. Georgie & Mandy is finding its footing and I will continue to watch. It has a great cast, as did YS and BBT. As some of you have pointed out, the age difference viewed through today’s eyes has a certain “ick” factor. I’ve seen a few news articles where producers defended the age difference in response to criticism. Part of the problem is the age bracket 18/30. Move that bracket up five or ten years and it wouldn’t be an issue. Another thing is that Georgie looks so young. Even though the actor Montana is a new father himself, he still looks and sounds like a kid so the scenes in bed make me cringe a little. He will age into the character.

I think this company is trying to make its motto a catch-phrase that go viral and live in infamy. Each time I see this commercial I mutter "Stop trying to make "fetch" happen.

Have the writers never heard of working full-time while going to school part-time? I put myself through undergraduate and graduate school at two fine universities doing just that. Yes, I was older when I graduated, but I also had work experience. I guess with all Mark’s jobs he’s working more than full-time. But he could get a regular job with benefits and experience he can put on a resume and probably work fewer hours. I guess that wouldn’t be as angsty and would make too much sense for Conner-world. I am going to bet that Dan ends up refinancing his house to fund Mark’s education. Not many banks in the real world would make this loan, but in Conner-TV Land they would. If Dan does, I hope Louise saves herself by leaving. And in other Conner economics, we have Darlene believing she can provide healthier, hand-made cafeteria food for less money. There is a reason why institutional food is not that healthy. Hint: IT’S CHEAP and bought in bulk – not grain-fed or hand-pressed. Seriously, is Harris supposed to keep prepping their food by hand? I also got an E. coli vibe looking at that pile of ground beef on the counter waiting for Harris to get herself together.

I suspect the spinoff will occasionally address how Mary, Missy, and Meemaw are doing, either in the dialog or with (hopefully) guest appearances of the actors. It would be weird for the new little family to function without references to Georgie’s family, especially since Mandy’s parents are going to be on the show.

There would also be a pension from Texas Teacher's Retirement System (TRS) that would go to the widow. With SS, pension, life insurance, and her job at the church, Mary would not be rich, but comfortable.

This is an interview with the producers in which they discuss their thoughts about the show. https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/young-sheldon-finale-executive-producers-010100835.html

I agree with Annie Potts in her recent interview that the show could have gone on, perhaps with a different title. The show became about more than Sheldon and made me care about the extended family and their circle. I like that it was a dramedy without a live audience. It would be interesting to see how Mary and Missy carry on after George’s death, along with the lives of the other characters. I’d rather watch that show than an audience comedy with Georgie and Mandy. But I’ll still give the Georgie spin-off a chance.

I understand Mary wanting to go home in time of family crisis, but I believe they are better off without her at this point. They are in survival mode and having to improvise on the fly; Mary is not good at that. She'd have to undo and redo everything they've done and waste time arguing and praying over everything On Missy's cooking: They eat hearty sit-down dinners - meat, taters, vegetables, dessert, etc. Kids, usually the girls, who came home from school before Mom got off work were often expected to "start dinner" - doing the prep work. I did at that age. Just filling in a possible blank; it wasn't depicted on the show.

So Mark graduates at the top of his class and doesn't qualify for any merit scholarships? I also question that the family income is too high for Mark to qualify for need-based aid. As usual with this family, things don't add up.

Yes! This is practically the first thing retirement financial planners tell you: Do not use your retirement savings for your children's college education. Children can take loans for their education but you cannot take loans for your retirement. Also, I wonder what will happen when PETA-packing Darlene is required to serve the mystery meat of the day as lunch lady. I recall it did not go well when her mother asked her to serve loose meat at the Lunch Box years ago.

As usual with these folk, the math doesn't math. Dan was right. Darlene has two minutes of management experience, counting Welman. She thinks she is going to be a contender for management in her 50's after five years on the lunch line? (If her smart mouth and 'tude don't get her fired). Mark has not had it easy, but it appears he is prepared to get a college degree however he can. He doesn't need the "classic college experience" Darlene now thinks he must have. Mark could be the lunch lady and get tuition benefits. May take him longer, but lots of people work at universities in order to attend (I did). Plus if the school offers tuition benefits, they most likely offer medical, retirement, etc. benefits. Mark could be well-covered. I recently retired from Higher Education and will add these notes: many universities now require a few years employment before one qualifies for tuition benefits. Also, at a number of universities, services have been outsourced to contractors so food service, custodians, grounds service, etc. are not employees of the university so they do not qualify for tuition benefits. I still say "Run, Ben, Run!"

Becky needs to move out of that house asap - go back to Dan's if possible. Darlene abuses Becky frequently and, while Becky tries to defend herself, she knows she is beholden to Darlene for housing. Plus, as several people have commented, Ben has more chemistry with Becky than Darlene, always has. It may bubble to the surface some day and turn that household into a worse hell for Becky than it already is. Darlene seems incapable of happiness. Any time something happens that should make her happy, she finds a way to pick it apart. Darlene casts a pall over every scene she is in. I loved when Neville told Jackie the reason for the separate finances. I hope he can help protect his sister's assets from the in-laws.

Although technically she was not in hiding, Kim was living her own Gene Takovic existence in Florida.