Ep 7. Pongo Pygmaeus and a Culture that Encourages Spitting

The show "Young Sheldon" has been a fan-favorite since its debut in 2017. A prequel to the popular sitcom "The Big Bang Theory," the show chronicles the childhood of genius Sheldon Cooper growing up in Texas in the late 1980s. In season 3, episode 7 entitled "Pongo Pygmaeus and a Culture that Encourages Spitting," Sheldon, played by Iain Armitage, embarks on another journey into the world of science and exploration.

The episode begins with Sheldon and his family watching a documentary about orangutans, particularly the Pongo Pygmaeus species found in Borneo. Sheldon is fascinated by their communication and problem-solving abilities, and becomes determined to learn more about them. He convinces his father, George Sr. (Lance Barber), to take him to the library to research these primates further. There, Sheldon learns about their culture and how they use spit to communicate with each other.

Sheldon is intrigued by this and begins to think about the cultural differences between orangutans and humans. He starts to wonder if spitting is seen differently in their culture and if it is accepted as a form of communication. This leads him to explore the idea of cultural relativism and how different societies can have their own norms and customs.

While continuing his research, Sheldon discovers a tribe in Borneo that encourages spitting as a form of respect and friendship. He becomes fascinated by this culture and starts to mimic their behavior in his daily life. His family and friends are less than impressed, and he struggles to reconcile his new interest with their social expectations.

As Sheldon becomes more invested in the culture of the spit-loving tribe, he begins to clash with those around him. His classmates make fun of him for spitting, and his sister, Missy (Raegan Revord), thinks he's gone crazy. His mother, Mary (Zoe Perry), is worried about his obsession with the tribe and tries to get him to see the importance of respecting others' feelings and cultural norms.

In the end, Sheldon realizes that he needs to find a balance between his curiosity and his social obligations. He starts to understand that while it's important to learn about other cultures, he also needs to respect the values and customs of those around him. He decides to put aside his fascination with spitting and focus on his friendships and relationships with his family.

"Pongo Pygmaeus and a Culture that Encourages Spitting" is a heartwarming episode that explores important themes of cultural diversity and acceptance. It showcases Sheldon's intellectual curiosity and his struggles with social norms and expectations. Fans of the show will not be disappointed with this latest installment, which is a must-watch for anyone interested in the intersection of science and culture.