The Big Bang Theory Showrunner Talks Sheldon's Pivotal Season 7 Finale Scene

The Big Bang Theory earned its most-watched finale in Season 7 as the show continues to haul in monster ratings for CBS. The show is a sitcom, but the developments in the finale earned it Entertainment Weekly's Season Finale Award for Best Serious Moment in a Comedy.

Sheldon's departure at the train station and Leonard and Penny's goodbye to him was a sweet enough moment for the readers to bestow the award upon the show. Showrunner Steve Molaro spoke about the finale to EW and said the goal was to "chip away at Sheldon and break him down to the point where he just needed to leave to process everything." 

Mission accomplished, as the university would not let him change his field of study (in which he had more or less hit a brick wall), Leonard got engaged to Penny and wanted to change living arrangements, the comic book store (Sheldon's safe haven) burned to the ground and Amy wanted...well, Amy just wanted what a normal girlfriend would want.

The writers have not gotten to work yet on Season 8, so Molaro did not say how much Sheldon's trip would change him. He did say, though, that it would have an affect. Molaro also admitted watching Penny give Sheldon a goodbye kiss on the cheek choked him up.

On a more lighthearted note, the show also earned the Funniest Finale Award.

What did you think of The Big Bang Theory's Season 7 finale? How do you think Sheldon will be different, if at all, when he returns in Season 8? Let us know in the comments below.