The Wonder Years
 The
Wonder Years was a whimsical view of growing up in suburban
America of the 1960s, as seen through the eyes of a 12-year- old.
In 1968 Kevin Arnold, a rambunctious kid with an angelic face, was
just entering Robert F. Kennedy Junior High School. Vietnam protests, The Beatles and the space program were the
hot topics, but Kevin's concerns were closer to home.
His older
brother, Wayne, existed only to torture and humiliate him, or so
it seemed; his older sister Karen was in her own world of love
beads and social protest.
 Mom (Norma) and Dad (Jack) were a little distant - especially
Dad who was an intimidating presence who came home tired from work
each day, and always seemed to get into an argument with someone.
Fitting in at school was an awesome challenge for Kevin, shared
with best friend Paul and hoped-for girlfriend (and object of all
his pre-pubescent affection), Winnie (real name Gwendolyn).
A wide variety of teachers, dates, friends, and tormentors were
seen from time to time, but perhaps the most memorable were
fearsome Coach Cutlip and 'steady date' Becky (the best
alternative to his beloved Winnie).
The series was narrated by an unseen, adult Kevin providing
retrospective insights into his childhood and the sixties. News
clips and music from the period also contributed to the nostalgic
flavour.
In the show's final episode, a wrap-up explained what became of
the main characters in The Wonder Years.
 It was revealed that Jack
Arnold (Kevin's dad) had passed away and brother Wayne stepped in to
head the family business.
Kevin's sister Karen had delivered a baby boy, Paul had graduated from Harvard Law School and Winnie went off to Paris for
a degree in art history.
She and Kevin wrote to each other weekly and when she returned, he
met her at the airport with his wife and son.
TRIVIA NOTE
The family dog was called Buster. Kevin's band was called
Electric Shoes.
|
