The Big Bang Theory Season 8 Spoilers: When Will Sheldon Return?

Sheldon Cooper departed on a train at the end of Season 7 of The Big Bang Theory for parts unknown. Leonard and Penny said goodbye to him at the train station after he panicked about the numerous changes happening in his life.

But what if he never actually left? The "Ask Ausiello" column at TVLine posed that very question to actor Jim Parsons.

Question: Any idea how long Sheldon will be AWOL next season on The Big Bang Theory? -Charlie
Ausiello: Riddle me this - what if he never actually got on a train? We threw out that possibility to Jim Parsons at this week's Hollywood premiere of The Normal Heart and he was intrigued. 'I never thought of that, but you're right - he could show back up at home immediately, couldn't he?' mused the Emmy winner, who admitted that he grilled his bosses about his alter ego's whereabouts but 'nobody will tell me. I don't know if they know yet. They may know, but I really don't know if they do.' When Sheldon does eventually reunite with the gang, Parsons is anxious to explore the next milestone in his slow-burn romance with Amy (whatever that may be). 'I don't know that we're headed for the bedroom or the altar any time soon,' he admitted. 'But, whatever... The writers have been so good with the pace of it, just bring more is all I would say.'"

Our hunch is Sheldon did leave, but his destination is anyone's guess. It seems unlikely the show would pass up on the comedic gold mine of Sheldon Cooper getting into wacky misadventures through the U.S.

What do you think, Big Bang fans? Let us know in the comments below.