"A Math Emergency and Perky Palms" is an episode of Young Sheldon that first aired February 7, 2019.
Sheldon and Dr. Sturgis have their first fight when Dr. Sturgis marks an answer wrong on Sheldon's test, just because Sheldon didn't use the intended formula to solve it. Meanwhile, Mary takes over for Pastor Jeff when he's out sick, including delivering food to a crotchety recluse, James Guilford, that she starts to befriend right before he passes away.
Tropes
- Confess in Confidence: While talking to George about the tasks she's had to do for Pastor Jeff, Mary states that she's taken some confessions that she can't elaborate on due to this. However, when George asks her to use vague terms to share some juicy gossip, she admits that she dealt with a husband that was having marital problems due to impotence brought on by his stress owning a flower shop, and George easily figures out the rest.
- Never My Fault: At the end of their plot, Dr. Sturgis decides to admit that he was the one in the wrong, and hopes to at least have Sheldon learn from his example that admitting a mistake is not the end of the world. Future!Sheldon's narration states that he took this lesson to heart...but has yet to actually apply it because he's never been wrong about anything.
- Retired Badass: After her first day of dealing with James Guilford, she learns from Pastor Jeff that he's actually a retired veteran whose current state is the result of a stressful life.
- Straw Misogynist: James Guilford is initially against Mary quoting scripture in his living room, not because he's against religion, but because he believes only men should preach the Bible in his church. Mary shuts him down by stating that they're not in his church; they're in his living room.
- We Hardly Knew Ye: James Guilford is introduced in the episode's second half, and passes away a few scenes later.
