What happened to Paige in The Big Bang Theory?

In Season 6 Episode 16 "A Stolen Truck and Going on the Lam" of Young Sheldon, Paige Swanson was returned back to her mother after she tried running away from home with Missy.

Child prodigy Paige Swanson was one of the interesting characters in The Big Bang Theory’s spin-off show Young Sheldon. Despite having a short appearance in the show, Swanson was known to be Sheldon’s academic rival. The 10-year-old genius character managed to get the all-composed Sheldon jealous and riled up in the show.

Paige Swanson is the daughter of Barry and Linda Swanson. Her parents were divorced on the show. The Swanson family was introduced to the show in the episode A Rival Prodigy and Sir Isaac Neutron. Paige met Sheldon during Dr. Sturgis’ lecture and over the nine episodes, the two shared a frenemy relationship.

Why did Sheldon Cooper hate Paige Swanson?

Sheldon Cooper never truly hated Paige Swanson. Being a child prodigy himself, watching another get patted on the back for her success made him jealous of her. While the two shared a frenemy relationship, Paige shared a much greater bond with Sheldon’s sister Missy.

Paige Swanson despite being a bright student, suffered from her own internal demons. Being the ideal child, Paige eventually starts breaking down due to her issues. She is occasionally misunderstood and socially inept. After her parents Linda and Barry decide to get a divorce, Paige undergoes a rebellious fit. In the episode Body Glitter and a Mall Safety Kit, she is seen to have a change in her attitude and appearance. She also turns to shoplifting and grows indifferent to her schoolwork, resulting in her grades falling.

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Why did Paige Swanson disappear from Young Sheldon?

After appearing in Episode 16 season 6 of Young Sheldon, Paige Swanson was never seen again in Young Sheldon. In fact, she was not mentioned either by Sheldon in Young Sheldon as well as The Big Bang Theory. This left the show’s fans disturbed and concerned. Lastly, Paige was seen running away with Missy to Florida. However, halfway through, the two got caught by a sheriff's deputy and were returned to their parents. This was the last Swanson was seen in the show.

Speaking of the character’s abrupt end during an interview with TVLine, Young Sheldon’s executive producer Steve Holland said, “People ask about Paige all the time, and she was only in [nine] episodes of Young Sheldon, Big Bang was done, and there was no way to go, ‘Can we go back and retrofit [her] into Big Bang Theory?”

“When we got into this season, especially with it being a shortened season, we never thought that [Paige’s storyline] was an arc that needed more closing than it got,” he added. Holland also said, “There was a parallel; she was a bit of a mirror image of Sheldon, a different way that Sheldon could have turned out and I think we saw that play out.”

Speaking about the dark theories on Paige’s disappearance, Steve Holland clarified, “I know there are some dark theories about what happened to Paige and why Sheldon doesn’t mention her [on Big Bang]. I don’t think she’s not mentioned because she went down a dark path and is dead in Big Bang Theory.” Holland further explained, “For us, it was just an interesting way to explore another kid who had a similar thing to Sheldon and the different roads that they could take. [By Season 6] She is not a huge part of Sheldon’s life; she’s more of Missy’s friend in the show than she is Sheldon’s friend. That said, it would have been great to have Mckenna back because she’s incredible, always.”