What is the meaning of the Young Sheldon title sequence

Question

What is the meaning of the Young Sheldon title sequence?

The background shows mountains and a desert, whilst the foreground has Sheldon (usually in bowtie, checked shirt, shorts and cowboy boots) walking out, standing triumphantly, before he notices a cow and backs away from it, before resuming his triumphant look as the logo appears and pans to the sky. The title sequence was changed from Season 3 onwards to include the entire Cooper family, as well as showing Sheldon in different costumes, such as Einstein, an astronaut and a train engineer

Why it was chosen? Is it a tribute to the old series? Is there any significance for the subtle changes in the sequence (for example showing specific member in addition)?

I found a similar question without any real answer.

EDIT

Found in IMDB it's a parody on Walker, but I don't see it and don't know the reference

The show's intro is a parody of Walker, Texas Ranger (1993)

I'm asking especially because the show itself is very funny, while the intro sequence seems redundant

Found more differences

At least one episode opening per season is slightly different from the usual opening of Sheldon walking up, taking a superhero stance, then moving over slightly as a cow approaches. In season one, a tumbleweed rolls by, making him jump out of the way. In season two, the camera does a 360 around him.

Beginning with Season 5, the rest of the family no longer looks at him puzzled when he walks up, but the animal they move away from changes from a cow to a bull.

Answer 1

The opening sequence series one and two has Sheldon situated in his local environment, Texas, (the micro) [note: East or West is immaterial because it represents how the world sees Texas], but looking out across the universe thinking of much bigger things (the macro). Sheldon's family joins in supporting him from series 3 onwards, they realise his gift is worth supporting. The cow represents his local community, that he has to get along with in order to survive, he has to be aware of it and move over a little, so as not to anger it, but doesn't distract much, his quest to learn all things.

Answer 2

Here's the reasoning behind the "Young Sheldon" intro. The bold, western background is a universal depiction of Texas as most of the world has come to know it from multiple western movies. Sheldon's family are proud Texans (as anyone that has spent any time in Texas knows of the enormous pride found in it's inhabitants). The family standing proud and looking up and ahead is the spirit of pioneers and independent thinkers. Sheldon's entrance walk toward the family shows cowboy boots moving over the rugged terrain, leading the audience to expect a rough and tough cowboy bravely marching toward his destiny. Yet, the camera pulls up to show a nerdy young Sheldon dressed inappropriately like a normal kid or some character in his scientific, academic world. Sheldon stands proud and confident. He knows who he is and so does his supportive family. The cow moving a step toward the family, which slightly startles the family just enough to move an equal step is suggesting that although this family is rooted strongly in historical Texas agricultural traditions and culture, they're not Cowboys, but not frightened of it and moving ever so slightly away from the stereotypical ideas of Texans. Then the camera tilts up toward a sunny, summer sky with billowy, dreamy clouds which represents an optimistic, promising perspective for Young Sheldon and his family's outlook.

Answer 3

I found this thread from searching about the setting flaw in the opening of Young Sheldon. I like the answer from Jim McMahon above. As a native Texan the first time I saw it, I said out loud “that’s not East Texas at all” lol. It bothered me why they would choose a background of the high plains of far West Texas’ panhandle instead of the piney woods of East Texas, but your explanation of the broader perception of Texas makes sense. Still, some accuracy would be nice since the two regions are COMPLETELY different. Oh, well. I still love the show.