"A Loaf of Bread and a Grand Old Flag" is an episode of Young Sheldon that first aired February 21, 2019.
Things spiral out of control when Sheldon boycotts his favorite bread company. George offers Veronica a shoulder to cry on when she's dumped by her boyfriend.
Tropes
- Dirty Communists: Sheldon goes on the news to talk about how he doesn't like the changes to his bread and how it should be better-regulated by the government, voicing support for Soviet bread lines. This leads to the entire Cooper family being accused of spying for the Communists and George nearly losing his job, until George sets up another interview to set the record straight with Sheldon dressed like Uncle Sam.
- Dramatically Missing the Point:
- Sheldon's support for bread lines misses that they aren't lining up because the bread is good, but because that is the only bread available.
- Sheldon spends the third act of the episode believing the news story is a good thing and his bread is the only important point of it, completely missing how bad supporting Communism is and what it'll do to the family. He still hasn't understood by The Tag when his family isn't talking to him for what he did, simply saying he'll check with them again tomorrow.
- Karmic Jackpot: Because Georgie comforted Veronica when she was dumped, Veronica is the only one willing to sit with Georgie in the cafeteria after Sheldon's support of communism.
- Patriotic Fervor: When Meemaw finds out what Sheldon did, she sets up a display of Americana in her front yard and stands out there waving a giant flag and singing pro-American songs.
- "Shaggy Dog" Story: In the final pre-credits scene, Sheldon admits that he gave the changes to his bread a second chance and actually enjoys it now, which he considers personal growth...but none of his family is willing to talk to him at the dinner table because his original gripes over the bread have led to them becoming social pariahs.
- Silent Treatment: None of the family is willing to talk to Sheldon at dinner because of what he did, just sitting and eating in silence while shooting him death glares as he tries to create conversation with them. Sheldon doesn't get the point of it, saying he'll just check on them again tomorrow.
- They Changed It, Now It Sucks!: In-Universe. Sheldon discovers that his favorite bread has changed its recipe and is boycotting the company that makes it until they change it back.
