The Definitive Ranking Of Every Episode Of "The Wonder Years"

"Kevin Arnold: delivery boy" is a storyline no one asked for, but by Season 6 of The Wonder Years, the writers were really scraping the bottom of the barrel. And so we watch Kevin (Fred Savage) square off against an angry dog, get forced into conversation with a lonely old woman, and contemplate drag racing. The conclusion, in which Winnie (Danica McKellar) tricks Kevin into delivering food for their late-night date, might be sweet if it weren't such a slog getting there.

The not-so-subtle subtext of this episode is that high school boys are boorish, sex-crazed cavemen, a theme that gets reiterated throughout Kevin Arnold's pubescence. But aside from being repetitive, the real problem with "Of Mastodons and Men" is the way it treats the female characters — Kevin's single-episode girlfriend Julie (Sandy Faison) is controlling, overbearing, and obsessed with the color pink. The backwards gender politics at play are straight out of the Stone Age.

Who is Aunt Rose? That question is never given a satisfying answer. It doesn't really matter, anyway: She's a distant relative who has died, and when a distant relative dies, the family gets together to mourn her. The problem is that because we've never heard of any of these characters, it all feels a little inconsequential. The Wonder Years is good at confronting mortality, as it did with Brian Cooper and Mr. Collins, but this particular morbid excursion is a thoughtless detour.

Of course Kevin would feel unsettled on his first day of 10th grade — especially with Paul (Josh Saviano) now at boarding school instead of by his side. But it's all a little too much, from Wayne (Jason Hervey) and Wart (Scott Menville) dipping Kev's head in the toilet to comically evil new teacher Mr. Bottner (Scott Jaeck). In trying to show how Kevin feels unsettled, the episode abandons any restraint. Even Kevin's triumphant rebellion at the end is too forced to take seriously.

This late in the game, we've seen Kevin and Winnie fight over just about everything, which makes their silly Truth or Dare-inspired conflict all the more mind-numbing. More to the point, "Eclipse" is tonally all over the place, with weird slapstick moments — Chuck (Andy Berman) escaping from a homicidal truck driver is particularly egregious — that take away from any emotional resonance that might have come from Kevin and WInnie's fight and inevitable resolution.

There are surely those who appreciate "Hiroshima, Mon Frere" for the insight it offers into the psyche of Wayne, who until now has just been the jerk older brother. But whatever sympathy we're supposed to feel flies out the window when Wayne torments and accidentally kills Kevin and Paul's hamster. That's not annoying teenage behavior — it's sociopathic, serial-killer-in-training behavior. Accident or not, it's distressing and does nothing to change Kevin and Wayne's dynamic.

Another school year, another episode about Kevin adjusting to the ch-ch-changes. The biggest crime "Ninth Grade Man" commits is making Becky Slater (Crystal McKellar) boring — at this point, her hatred of Kevin is tiresome. But the episode also introduces Madeline (Julie Condra), a transparent attempt at injecting some drama into Kevin and Winnie's relationship. Madeline's role as seductress is so on-the-nose it's absurd, as is grown-up Kevin's voiceover literally moaning over her. Gross.

The central plot of "Sex and Economics" — Kevin gets manipulated by his gorgeous teacher Miss Farmer (Rebecca Staab) into painting her house for little pay — is fine. The problem is the odd moral the episode seems to offer. "When it came to beautiful women and money," Kevin concludes, "it would always end like this." The idea that Kev is kind of an idiot about working and the opposite sex is valid (and well represented throughout the series), but the vague condemnation of women is sexist drivel.

Kevin treating Paul like crap is nothing new, so their big blow-up fight in "Odd Man Out" is a little sudden. The whole episode has a rushed feel to it, including Kev's instant bond (however forced) with poor Doug Porter (Brandon Crane). You know Paul will end up forgiving Kevin — and that Kevin won't learn anything from the fight, even though Paul is in the right. Other than making Kevin look even worse — he's truly awful to Doug — this is more meaningless conflict that quickly passes.

As far as one-off characters go, there's something to be said for unassuming badass Larry Beaman (Joshua John Miller). But like so many of Kevin's episodic adventures, the rock band storyline doesn't go anywhere. They sound terrible, they never really get any better, and their classmates still rally behind them because supporting The Electric Shoes (seriously) means going against authority. It's not a particularly original sitcom plotline, but at least it's short-lived.

Bottle episodes — in which the action is restricted to one location to save on production costs — can produce interesting results. "Lunch Stories" is intriguing, but it's mostly a failure. Sure, it's funny that Kevin, Paul, Chuck, and Ricky (Scott Nemes) view the small dramas in their lives as major catastrophes, but none of their individual stories are all that exciting. When contrasted with Watergate, admittedly for ironic effect, the trials and tribulations of lunch end up even more forgettable.

Few characters on The Wonder Years are as simultaneously grating and lovable as Alice Pedermeir (Lindsay Sloan), Chuck's on-again, off-agailn girlfriend who's harboring a major crush on Kevin. But as fun as it is to see Alice's neuroticism battle with Chuck's for prominence, her awkward seduction of her recent ex's best friend is a whole lot of cringe. For once, Kevin does the right thing and rejects her advances — but he still gets punched in the face. No good deed goes unpunished after all.

Once again, Kevin is randomly into a sport he showed no interest in prior to this episode — and will never mention again. On the plus side, James Tolkan is great as this week's tough love authority figure Coach SIlva, but he can't rid the episode of the stench of Season 6 desperation. There are a couple bright spots in "Hulk Arnold," namely Kevin's freak-out over the possibility that he's carrying a little baby fat, and his triumphant performance in the final match. He loses, with dignity.

So many of the Season 6 plots are recycled from lesser sitcoms. They're not bad, really — it's just that The Wonder Years can do so much better. This episode, in which Kevin gets pressured into taking his friends to a Rolling Stones concert that may or may not be happening, has a few good moments, at least: namely, Chuck eating a page out of the phone book, and the ending, where Kevin is spared punishment for a minor accident in Jack's (Dan Lauria) car by sheer dumb luck.

"Fishing" is a decent episode, but it would work a lot better a few seasons earlier in The Wonder Years run. By this point, Wayne has grown into an almost mature adult — his relationship with Kevin here is a little regressive. Beyond that, the whole theme of the episode has a "been there, done that" feel: Jack wants a family trip the way things were when Kevin and Wayne were kids, but they're all too old for that. Thankfully there are enough funny and charming moments to salvage this.

The one where Kevin gets shitfaced. There's a lot more to "Scenes From a Wedding" than that, but the highlight is definitely Kevin downing an entire bottle of champagne and making an ass of himself. Otherwise it's a typical Season 6 episode: slight but with some nice moments. One note: It's weird that Norma (Alley Mills) cries more here than she did at the wedding of her own daughter (Olivia D'Abo), especially given that Karen's wedding was worth crying over. Who cares about Candy Jensen?

Like wrestling, soccer is a sport that Kevin picks up for a single episode (because he excels at it, naturally) and then never mentions again. This is the better episode, though, largely because it features the great Paul Dooley as Pops "The Bear" McIntyre. And Kevin really shines here, when he's not taken in by his own athletic prowess: He actually cares enough to motivate his team — not to victory, but to a dignified defeat. "Let's lose one for Pops," indeed.

Kevin being a dick is a recurring plot point in The Wonder Years. And that's as it should be! Boys in high school are, generally speaking, total assholes. What's interesting about "The Yearbook" is that it explores the conflict between Kevin's attempts at coolness with his conscience — he can't bring himself to mock poor Peter "Pig" Armbruster (Michael Ray Bower) just to fit in. Unfortunately, he doesn't seem to learn much of a lesson in the end, but hey, baby steps.

Once again, let's lament the character of Becky Slater, whose legitimate hatred of Kevin morphed into a much duller rivalry. That aside, at least she has more to do here than just punch him in the stomach again. Kevin is not at his best here, ignoring the support he gets from Paul and Winnie in order to focus on how much he wants to beat Becky. But of course, he comes around in the end and resigns from the race after a genuinely touching speech from Paul, who is, frankly, too good of a friend.

The central conflict in "Buster" is that Buster needs to get neutered and no one in the Arnold family can deal with that. It's actually kind of bizarre. Yes, thinking too much about the act of neutering will make anyone cringe, but it's a standard aspect of dog ownership. The episode works when Kevin callously lets Buster run away, leading the entire family on a search to find him. Even if you don't buy what comes before it, you'll cry at the resolution, because, let's face it, you're a human being.

Ah, Lisa Berlini (Kathy Wagner). Her most defining characteristic is that she's not Winnie Cooper, but way back in Season 1, that was enough. "The Phone Call" isn't the most dynamic episode of The Wonder Years — it's largely just Kevin working up the courage to make a phone call — but it sets the tone for much of the show, in which the relatively minor dilemmas of youth are treated as high-stakes problems. It works pretty well here, and much better down the road.

If you think smoking and drinking make you look cool, marvel at how astoundingly stupid Kevin and Paul look. It makes sense that these two would try to switch things up, especially with Winnie suddenly joining the popular crowd and leaving them behind. While rebel Gary (Breckin Meyer) is a convincingly bad influence, the relentless cave metaphor is heavy-handed. The episode is an interesting enough diversion until Winnie rejoins the group and the status quo is restored.

It's not until the series is almost over that we meet Norma's parents, Karl (Macon McCalman) and Jane Gustavson (Jean Speegle Howard). It's an interesting dynamic — they hate Jack and repeatedly push Norma into the arms of her high school beau Roger (Edward Edwards), all of which Jack has come to passively accept. What's less interesting is everything else that happens in "Reunion," including Kevin getting chased through the neighborhood by a dog named Princess.

High school guys are gross. Yes, The Wonder Years realistically depicts how girl-obsessed teenage boys are, but it's honestly pretty tiresome. That having been said, "The Lost Weekend" is a fairly standard entry into a familiar genre: Parents go out of town, kids try to throw a small party, party gets out of hand. The saving grace is that Wayne ends up covering for Kevin, reflecting how far he's come. And Kevin waxes Wayne's car as a thank-you — it's a satisfying conclusion.

More classic teen series material: Kevin is anxious about getting his license because he wants to take a classmate out on a date. It's also classic Wonder Years, in that when Kevin excels at driving — as when he excels at anything — he's a condescending dick about it. The best part about "Road Test" is the ending, in which Kevin tries to "borrow" Jack's car in the middle of the night to practice driving. Rather than do the expected thing and yell at him, Jack offers to help.

Despite the fact that it's often steeped in the politics of era, The Wonder Years is usually not all that interested in the specifics of politics. "Politics As Usual" is an odd exception, with Winnie going to work for the McGovern campaign and Kevin reluctantly tagging along. There are good moments — Norma praising McGovern's position on women's rights, Kevin breaking into the McGovern headquarters in a nod to Watergate — but too much time is spent on Kevin's jealousy.

Christmas episodes of family series tend to get a little hokey, so the biggest surprise about "Christmas" is that the Arnolds are actually pretty miserable for most of it. Kevin, Wayne, and Karen are trying to convince Jack to buy a color TV — even Norma's onboard — but Jack insists they can't afford it. The frequent money problems the family faces keep The Wonder Years grounded, and the rain and laughter at the end of the episode gives it heart.

After Cara's (Lisa Gerber) great introduction in "The Lake," her return in "Back to the Lake" is somewhat disappointing — and maybe that's the point. As Kevin learns, sometimes a brief summer fling is just that. Regardless of whatever connection he felt with Cara, she's moved on. Cara aside, Kevin is at his worst here, essentially kidnapping Paul and putting both of their jobs at risk. As he eventually opines, "I felt like a stupid, selfish adolescent, which I guess I was." You think?

The finale of Season 1 isn't all that memorable, but it offers plenty of hints of what's to come. And it's sweet, from Kevin's jealousy over Winnie's new boyfriend Kirk McCray (Michael Landes) to Paul's allergic reaction to his future girlfriend Carla Healy (Krista Murphy). If the conflict of the episode feels a little trite, that's because it is — these are, after all, seventh graders. But even if Kevin doesn't understand it, his bond with Winnie plays out through the entire series — and deepens along the way.

Once again, Jack doesn't want to spend money even when it becomes apparent that he's going to have to. It's a familiar story, heightened by the audacity of Karen calling Jack cheap to his face. What's more interesting is the bigger issue at play: Jack doesn't want to let go of the family car because of all the memories that go with it. We see the Arnolds washing the car as a family, and it is one of the rare times that they're all getting along, making Jack's hesitance to let go more understandable.

Kevin's friend group shifts throughout The Wonder Years, but one thing remains constant — with the exception of Paul, these guys are total idiots. And that makes sense, if only because they're realistic depictions of high school boys. "Full Moon Rising" is another exercise in stupidity for Kevin and his friends, though at least it contrasts the reality of getting a new car (responsibility) with the expectation (cruising around to get women). And Kevin admits 15-year-olds are the worst.

Who are Frank (Noah Blake) and Denise (Amy Hathaway)? It doesn't really matter, as they're never heard from again. But as inconsequential as the episode is in terms of the larger story, it's still a mostly interesting look at a relationship that's even more contentious and dramatic than Kevin and Winnie's. If there is a point here, it's that Frank and Denise are so much more than the images they project, something Kevin becomes all too aware of when he finds himself in the middle of their conflict.

Kevin's horror that they're tearing down Harper's Woods is met by his parents' apathy — and as a viewer, it's hard not to feel a little like Jack and Norma. As important as Harper's Woods are to Kevin, Winnie, and Paul, we haven't traveled back there since the pilot. While the nostalgia's a little shaky, the episode does a good job of capturing how scary change is even from a young age — Kevin isn't old enough to understand the chaos of the late '60s, but in his own small way, he's petrified.

Spoiler alert to those still in high school: The SATs do not determine your future. (Are they still spreading that lie?) Either way, "The Test" is an accurate depiction of how much anxiety is associated with the SATs, which are hyped up as the sole determinant of the rest of your life. Less successful is the way the episode links Kevin's stress over the test with Jack's decision to start his own furniture business. Jack is taking a huge risk, while Kevin — well, he doesn't really have a choice.

Part of growing up is realizing that birthdays don't really matter — a depressing revelation that many adults still refuse to acknowledge. But for a 13-year-old Jewish boy, a bar mitzvah is a very big deal, and not only because it's a very lucrative ceremony. (Well, that's a huge part of it.) Kevin's jealousy over all the attention Paul's getting is typical Kev, but he does finally come around and learn to celebrate someone who isn't him. (Even if he does claim Paul's bar mitzvah as his own.)

Wayne thinks getting his license will help him escape his family, but as it turns out, it just forces him into spending more time with Kevin. The story of Kevin's star-crossed love at the mall — they fall for each other from a distance in a theater playing Romeo and Juliet — offers more depth than Wayne's typical asinine behavior. Although when Wayne takes things too far and almost gets Kevin and himself killed, he shows surprising humility. It doesn't last.

The benefit of casting kids who are actually the ages they're supposed to be playing is that you get to really watch them grow up. Kevin, Paul, and Winnie all do some significant aging between Seasons 3 and 4, which underlines the theme of the episode, unsubtly called "Growing Up." Kevin's dalliance with Mimi (Soleil Moon Frye) is forgettable, but his fight with Jack — which leads Jack to apologize for once — is a great moment. As is Karen leaving for college.

It's never clear why Madeline is so into Kevin — that's not to say there's anything wrong with Kevin (other than his general spazziness), but Madeline is so underdeveloped that her repeated attempts at seducing Kevin away from Winnie feel forced. But it's nice to see Kevin choose his relationship over a crush and flee before licking chocolate mousse off Madeline's finger. There's also something endlessly funny about the mislabeled "Kevin Amold" ID bracelet.

The Wonder Years frequently returns to the idea that Kevin and Jack have a hard time connecting with each other, and that's not a bad thing. It's a worthwhile area to explore, especially as their relationship develops over the years. There are few things more awkward than a teenage boy being forced into a long car ride with his dad, although watching them both try to flirt with a waitress is pretty cringeworthy. It's impressive that Kevin can now stand up to Jack, however immaturely.

"Coda" is a quiet episode: Kevin learns piano from Mrs. Carples (Maxine Stuart), who stresses that perfection isn't everything, but feels he can't compete with kiss-ass student Ronald Hirschmuller (Joseph Dammann). There is something unbearably sad about the conclusion of the episode, which has Kevin give up on piano and skip his recital — a choice the adult Kevin admits he still regrets — but the episode drags a bit in getting to that point. The final scene, though, is a punch to the gut.

In all fairness, a clip show episode should be at the bottom of a ranking: It's a cheat, a relic of an era when you couldn't rewatch favorite episodes on DVD and actually might have appreciated this sort of thing. And yet, there's a lot of charm and heart to "Broken Hearts and Burgers" — it's not so much the wraparound story, which has Winnie mad at Kevin again, but the clips chosen along with the period music used. Yes, it's shameless, but a show about nostalgia is allowed a little nostalgia for itself.

Another standard sitcom plot: Kevin is afraid of the dentist. But like so many Wonder Years episodes that mine familiar terrain, "Courage" ends up offering a lot more pathos than expected. The character of beautiful dental assistant Miss Hasenfuss (Whitney Kershaw) is so much more than the object of Kevin's fantasies. The heartbreak she feels when she overhears Kevin not wanting her to assist is devastating, and the joy over her decision to go back to school is equally powerful.

Let's be clear about something: A puppy is the actual worst gift you can get someone. Let's be clear about something else: Buster is the cutest. But "The Powers That Be" is less about Kevin's new dog and more about Grandpa Arnold (David Huddleston) and his ongoing power struggle with his son Jack. The relationship between Jack and his father offers valuable insight into why Jack is the way he is — that frustrating stubbornness is the only way Jack knows how to assert himself.

"It's hard to imagine being 12 years old and not having a friend like Paul Pfeiffer," Kevin narrates at the beginning of the episode. And he's right, even if his younger self doesn't realize it. "Loosiers" expands on the character of Paul, who is incredibly enthusiastic about playing basketball and completely terrible at it. But sometimes enthusiasm is enough, as Kevin and his teammates learn. They don't win the game, by a long shot, but they stop being so miserable about their defeat.

Paul going to prep school was a big deal because it separated him and Kevin, but up until this point, The Wonder Years hadn't explored the major class difference at play. As we learn in "Pfeiffer's Pfortune," Paul's dad, Alvin (John C. Moskoff), earned a lot of money on a risky investment, and Paul's new lifestyle is starting to cause a rift in his friendship with Kevin. It's an interesting change to their dynamic, which is why it's a little disappointing that things return to normal by the end.

The first Karen episode of The Wonder Years is not the best Karen episode, but it does highlight her role in the series as a representative of the freewheeling openness of the late '60s. That Kevin is jealous of Karen's relationship with Louis (John Corbett) isn't surprising, but the episode picks up in the awkward dinner scene, during which Louis asks Norma if she's satisfied being a housewife and then challenges Jack on Vietnam. Louis might be a jerk, but he makes some good points.

The more things change, the more they stay the same. And so we find ourselves back in Coach Cutlip's (Robert Picardo) P.E. class. Kevin is, once again, kind of a monster here, repeatedly trying to talk Paul out of trying for the basketball team. He may think he has Paul's best interests at heart, but what he doesn't realize is how much he's holding Paul back. Paul ultimately proving Kevin wrong is satisfying, though not nearly as satisfying as the whole Arnold family rooting for him.

There are a lot of changes documented in the Season 6 Christmas episode: namely, Norma graduating from community college and Jack transitioning into the furniture business. We get to see a whole new side of Jack, who is uncharacteristically generous as he nervously awaits the loan he needs to buy the factory. The emotional power of the episode comes when a newly assertive Norma is able to get the loan on Jack's behalf: "I told them they should believe in you the way I do."

"Math Class" is our first introduction to Mr. Collins (Steven Gilborn) — it's really just the first installment in a trilogy of episodes spaced out over the course of the season. While we do get some insight into Mr. Collins, a hard-ass who really just wants his students to apply themselves and succeed, "Math Class" is really more about Kevin's fear of failure and his inability to ask for help. Given how often Kevin pats himself on the back for his accomplishments, it's refreshing to see him flounder a bit.

The title says it all: "The Little Women" reflects the fact that Kevin and Jack continue to treat Winnie and Norma as lesser than, even though they're two intelligent, accomplished women who often excel past their male counterparts. If it feels old-fashioned, that's because it is — this is the early '70s, after all. It's disappointing that the episode ends with both Arnold men mansplaining, but its clear where the episode's sympathies lie. If only Winnie and Norma had beat them at bowling.

Let's talk about sex, Wonder Years. Well, let's talk about sex according to 12-year-olds — not a lot of details, just plenty of confused feelings. "Swingers" is the second episode, and the pitch-perfect Wonder Years pilot is a tough act to follow. Still, it does an admirable job of furthering Kevin's fixation on sex and death, brought on by his first kiss with Winnie and the death of Winnie's brother Brian. (The ghost of Brian giving Kevin a pep talk at his funeral is odd, admittedly.)

Jack's stinginess comes up time and again, but "The Cost of Living" gives Kevin a real sense of why his dad is — to put it mildly — frugal. As Kevin and his friends get older, the same class issues that plagued the Arnold patriarch (why can't he just buy a new car?) begin to affect Kevin too, inspiring him to get a job at the golf course. There's a nice throwback to "My Father's Office," with Kevin understanding the importance of weighing one's dignity against a bulky paycheck.

It's about the journey, not the destination. Once you grasp that, you kind of know where this episode is going. Episodes about Kevin and his friends going on adventures are hit and miss, but this one mostly works. The stakes are higher — just the fact that they're procuring beer to go to a high school girl's slumber party is more adult — and they actually work together, even helping Doug out after he's injured. The resolution, or the lack thereof, is only disappointing if you didn't see it coming.

Kevin defends Winnie's honor by going against bully Eddie Pinetti (Bobby Jacoby), only to learn that Winnie and Eddie have been secretly going out. "Fate" shows how limited Kevin's scope is — he's a typical "nice guy," incapable of understanding why anyone would choose Eddie over him. But the truth is, Kevin himself is a bully. Sure, he's subtler about it, but he's talked behind all of his friends' backs, which is why he's now alienated from Paul and Winnie. Seeing him get punched is a little satisfying.

You have to appreciate the amount of time spent on a single pimple. But then, when you're in eighth grade, a pimple really is the end of the world. The Wonder Years has the rare ability to capture how significant these relatively minor setbacks are — by the end of the episode, you're equally convinced that Kevin's sole pimple is catastrophic. And for anyone who has ever struggled with acne, Kevin's misguided attempts to hide it are hilariously familiar.

Kevin clearly has no idea how Jack feels about his job at NORCOM. How else would he have the audacity to complain about his own job, "It's boring, it's hard work, and it's no fun." As in "Coda," Kevin's frustration is understandable but also short-sighted. Even as he begins to thrive at his job, working for the curmudgeonly Mr. Harris (Al Ruscio), he looks for ways to escape. This is one of several episodes in which adult Kevin admits his 15-year-old stupidity — if only that insight came sooner.

Another instance of Kevin as the dreaded "nice guy": He can't understand why girls keep going out with "jerks" instead of him. And then, in the ultimate jerk move, he kisses his brother's girlfriend Sandy (Carla Gugino). Yes, Kevin and Sandy make more sense than Wayne and Sandy, but that doesn't excuse his behavior. What redeems Kevin is choosing his brother over his crush, as Wayne maturely admits, "Sandy makes me better than I am."

By "Math Class Squared," Kevin has found a new level of respect for Mr. Collins. But he still has a lot to learn, as evidenced by his uncertainty of what to do when he learns his classmates are cheating. What Kevin doesn't realize — and what the viewers likely pick up on from the get-go — is that Mr. Collins is well aware of what's happening. He just wants Kevin to solve the problem on his own. It's nice to see a teacher who pushes Kevin to the best he can be with a subtler, hands-off approach.

The growing distance between Kevin and Norma is always a little painful to explore. In "Mom Wars," Norma has to control her protective instincts as Kevin insists on playing football. This is one of many episodes that feel a lot different as an adult than as a kid. At one point, you likely sided with Kevin, but now it's hard not to feel the most sympathy for Norma. The end is particularly bittersweet, as Kevin gets injured and refuses to let his mom help, despite the fact that he craves her comfort.

One of the cringiest moments in all of The Wonder Years occurs at the end of "She, My Friend and I," in which Kevin shows up at Winnie's door and smugly informs her of what Paul told him: "He says you're crazy about me!" At which point Winnie slams the door in his face. It's a brutal bump on the road to Kevin and Winnie getting together, but it also reflects Kevin's utter lack of self-awareness and Winnie's refusal to put up with it. Poor Paul is just the pawn caught in the middle.

On the surface, "Glee Club" is your classic episode about an optimistic teacher guiding unlikely students to glory. But in contrast to, say, Glee, "Glee Club" is a more cynical take on the truth of the situation. Poor Miss Haycock (Andrea Walters) has no idea what she's in for — these kids really can't sing, and they're not going to learn any time soon. The fact that they band together to try to make her dream come true is nice, but the depressing ending keeps the episode grounded in reality.

Yes, Kevin and Winnie end the episode holding hands, but it takes them a while to get there. And that's as it should be: Kevin needs to learn some humility after his disastrous attempt to win Winnie over in "She, My Friend and I." So we see Kevin putting a valentine for Winnie in the wrong locker (Becky Slater's, natch) and nearly getting run over by Becky (on a bike, but still) later in the episode. Winnie may forgive Kevin finally, but she also calls him a jerk, which he is.

Yes, Paul's little sister Debbie's (Torrey Anne Cook) crush on Kevin is annoying, but so is Kevin's condescension. But "Little Debbie" reflects a major step forward for Kevin, who comes around — only after he's reduced Debbie to tears, mind you — and gives her the dance she deserves. Plus, the episode has plenty of funny moments, none better than Al Pfeiffer doing all Jewish fathers proud and quoting "Sunrise, Sunset" in his speech to Kevin before the dance.

Kids can be so cruel, and teenagers are even worse. "Nose" is hard to watch, as Kevin and his friends ridicule new student Hayley (Renee Humphrey) for her big nose. (They should really be making fun of whoever crafted the prosthetic, which looks too fake to take seriously.) But there is, of course, a valuable lesson at play. When Scott dumps Hayley thanks to peer pressure, she rebounds with hunky Brett (Eric Dane), who was drawn to her candid sense of self. Take that, Kevin.

"I never wanted it to end," Kevin narrates. It's not a particularly stunning insight, but it's incredibly poignant in the context of graduation — albeit from junior high. The episode itself has highs and lows, but it does a great job of summing up so much of what's come before it. As usual, Winnie offers the most insight, wondering if the good times they've cherished actually mean much in the long run. In the context of the era's constant social and political change, her concerns hit home.

To outsiders, Kevin and Winnie are the perfect couple, but there's always something else going on. In this case, it's Kevin's eagerness to have sex with Winnie and her complete lack of interest. That Kevin goes so far as to lie about his night with Winnie — a lie that naturally spreads across the school — is unforgivable. Even Jack refuses to feel sympathy for Kevin, sternly advising him to apologize immediately. It's a tough episode but a smart look at the complexities of sex in high school.

Kevin's piss-poor treatment of Becky Slater begins here, as he starts dating her for the sole purpose of making Winnie jealous. It's obnoxious and transparent — although, to be fair, Becky isn't the easiest person to date either. Of all of Kevin's romantic foibles outside of his on-again, off-again romance with Winnie, his shoddy behavior when it comes to Becky is the most memorable. There is, at least, a hint of redemption in the end, when Kevin walks Becky home.

The central problem of "Grandpa's Car" is a more adult one than The Wonder Years usually tackles: Grandpa Arnold can no longer drive safely, and his family has to find a way to keep him off the road. While Kevin rarely considers his parents' mortality, he's forced to confront the fact that his grandfather is getting older. The last line is gorgeous: Kevin remembers his first car "not because it was my first car, but because it was my grandfather’s last."

There are few things more horrifying than watching Wayne handle an infant. And yet, "Wayne and Bonnie" surprises by showing how willing Wayne is to commit to an adult relationship, even if that means dating a woman with a kid. It's tough to say if Bonnie (Paula Marshall) is a great influence on Wayne, or if simply being around her son is enough for him to pull his act together. The ending, in which Wayne leaves home against his parents' wishes, shows he still has a long way to go.

"Everything was simple and fun," Kevin innocently reflects. Things don't stay that way. As nice as it is to see Kevin finally treat Becky with a modicum of respect, he's still the same jerk he was when he faked his feelings to make Winnie jealous. The best moment in the episode is one of the best moments in the series: Carla punches Kevin repeatedly after he suggests they just be friends. But what the episode really reveals is that boys and girls are equally screwed up when it comes to love.

There is a lot of back-and-forth when it comes to Kevin and Wayne's relationship, because that's the way things often go with brothers. What's great about "Separate Rooms" is its ability to show what that animosity too often masks — Kevin and Wayne do really care about each other, deeply. As they fight over moving into Karen's old room, adult Kevin puts it all into perspective: "In struggling to separate ourselves from one another, Wayne and I had also struggled to stay together."

Hell hath no fury like Becky Slater. But what's great about Becky's righteous anger at Kevin is that it's completely deserved. Kevin's dickishness is central to his character, but things always seem to work out for him regardless. There's something so satisfying about Becky continuing to make his life miserable — especially because all she's really doing is spreading the truth about him. Kevin isn't all that kind to Paul or Winnie or anyone else, and if they finally realize that, more power to them.

It's a little heartbreaking to watch Jack try hard to bond with Kevin, only to get attitude. But hey, that's the reality of fathers and teenage sons. Kevin isn't interested in facts and responsibilities: He's content to live in the fantasy that comes with worshipping basketball star Bobby Riddle (Jim Caviezel). And by the end, he's confronted with a hard truth, first by Bobby cruelly dismissing him, and then by Jack's words of wisdom: "It's not easy being a hero."

It's hard to imagine the difference a few miles can make, but Winnie moving across town — and more importantly, transferring schools — is a pivotal moment for her relationship with Kevin. They end up breaking up, only to get back together, but the larger issue is the fact that Kevin's world is expanding. It feels out of control because it is. In one of his most moving voiceovers, he notes, "You live in a house someone else owns, but your dreams are already somewhere else."

One of the better Season 6 episodes, "Poker" highlights the very adult problems Kevin and his friends are facing: Chuck is worried he got Alice pregnant; Randy (Michael Tricario) is in danger of not graduating. But the heart of the episode is Kevin's strained friendship with Paul — they're more at odds than ever before, with both young men showing their worst characteristics. Their ability to reconcile and find common ground is more satisfying than winning any poker game.

Like "Mom Wars," "When Worlds Collide" is an episode that affects you differently as an adult than as a kid. Yes, it's embarrassing when your mom comes to work at the school — but Kevin's refusal to even acknowledge Norma's presence is painful. The look on her face when Kevin asks her not to even notice him at school is devastating. But this also represents a major step forward for Norma, who uses getting fired from her brief stint at Kevin's school as inspiration to apply to community college.

Coach Cutlip is one of the funniest Wonder Years characters, but there's something sadder lurking beneath that big Santa beard. After Kevin gets past the weirdness of seeing a teacher outside of school — a strange event, to be sure — he comes to sympathize with Cutlip, who sadly explains his Santa gig by saying, "Kids like me when I'm Santa." The conclusion, where none of Kevin's friends recognize their coach, is unrealistic, but call it a Christmas miracle.

Kevin would like to believe that his crush on Miss White (Wendel Meldrum) is about more than just her looks, but he spends a lot of time staring at her breasts. This is another episode that contrasts the little things (Kevin's crush) with the bigger picture (the civil rights movement). Kevin may not quite get it, but in speaking the words of Robert F. Kennedy, he starts to understand how much more important larger cultural dreams are than his adolescent fantasies.

Another episode of Kevin trying out a new sport — and largely failing. But "The Unnatural" isn't concerned with being realistic. The final scene, in which Kevin hits it out of the park, is gorgeous, and possibly never happened. We take the adult Kevin Arnold to be a trustworthy narrator, but this episode subverts that: "If dreams and memories sometimes get confused, well, that’s as it should be. Because every kid deserves to be a hero." All that matters is that you're crying.

Money problems once again loom over the Arnold family, but here we get a clearer sense of the effect it has on Jack and Norma. The saddest part of the episode is Norma's insistence on putting on a brave face: She refuses to let Jack's absence derail Thanksgiving, even though she has a hard time adjusting once family dinner arrives. The reunion Jack and Norma share at the end is one of the most romantic moments they share in the season, an apt reminder of what really matters.

Karen is missing for most of Season 5, her last season as a regular, mostly because she's now living with her boyfriend Michael (David Schwimmer). Jack's refusal to welcome Michael into the family is frustrating to watch, but they have so much more to do with his inability to let go of his little girl. The last scene is loaded with subtext: Karen shows up to apologize to Jack after his birthday dinner fiasco and tells him, "I can't stay." Before apologizing himself, he answers, "I know."

Wayne has matured so much under Bonnie's influence — and with a kid to take care of. The two seem fated to make it work, which is why it's so upsetting when Bonnie decides to take back her ex, the father of her son. What makes this episode bittersweet is how Wayne's growth helps him cope with the breakup. "You can't make someone fall in love with you," he says. Then he encourages Kevin and Winnie to share a midnight kiss, because "you're only young once."

Of course The Wonder Years, a show that largely traffics in suburban nostalgia, would eventually pay homage to the classic play Our Town, which largely does the same. There is plenty of humor in this episode — Paul's control-freak takeover of Kevin's spotlight duties is hilarious — but it's all about the poignance of the final scene, in which Winnie's parents tearfully reconnect during her "Goodbye, Grover's Corners" speech. Realistic? Maybe not. But that's theater magic.

Kevin articulates one of the series' major themes when he says, "None of it was permanent." "Summer Song" is sad and sweet because you know that Kevin's fling with beach babe Teri (Holly Sampson) is temporary. But it's all worth it for the reflections it brings about in Kevin, who realizes that feeling that pain of loss is actually a good thing, because it speaks to what he had. Similar territory is explored in "The Lake," but this is a softer, more innocent look at lost love.

Miss Shaw (Lanei Chapman) isn't the first idealistic teacher Kevin has encountered, but she's arguably the most memorable. The tragedy of "Kodachrome" is that the system wins: Despite inspiring her students in new and exciting ways, Miss Shaw ultimately refuses to fight back against the higher-ups. As Kevin says when discussing The Heart of Darkness, "The horror is truth," and the hard truth here is that sometimes rebellion just isn't worth the effort.

The Vietnam War carries on in the background of The Wonder Years, but for most of the series, that's where it stays. Even those students who are against the war and try to plan a walkout with Mr. Tyler (Denis Arndt) don't really know what they're protesting — they just know it's wrong. But even if Kevin's motivation isn't all that informed or intelligent, his heart is in the right place. Similarly, the walkout doesn't change anything, but it's a beautiful memory of a call for peace.

Jack's response to any changes he's uncomfortable with: "I don't want to talk about it." It's almost his catchphrase, and it shows up in "Christmas Party," which has the Arnolds preparing for an annual event they don't seem enthused about. Norma is back in school, Kevin and Wayne want to spend time with friends their own age, but Jack stubbornly marches on. The Christmas spirit and the family bond shine through when all the guests are gone and Jack and Norma can enjoy a quiet celebration.

Jeff Billings (Giovanni Ribisi) is an important addition to Season 6, bringing an ample amount of humor and snark but always remaining likable. "Unpacking" is the first sense we have that there's something beyond the quips, and it's a lot to take in. For Kevin, it's a chance to see the world outside of himself and understand that the same changes he's always fighting against are shared by those around him. Jeff's "I think my dad's never coming back" is a particularly sobering moment.

"The Lake" is a more adult reintroduction to Kevin and Paul, the latter of whom gets caught with a condom in his wallet. But really, it's all about Cara and Kevin's stunning monologue: "I wanted to stay there in that night more than anything I'd wanted before. But I knew I couldn't. I was 15. I slept under a roof my father owned in a bed my father bought. Nothing was mine, except my heart, and my fears, and my growing knowledge that not every road was going to lead home anymore." Gut punch.

Do parents still give "The Talk"? With the advent of internet porn, it's certainly not the event it once was. But it's never been easy, as evidenced by "The Tree House." While building a tree house, Kevin and Jack simultaneously discover that they have the perfect view of their gorgeous sunbathing neighbor — and awkwardness ensues. The episode works because there is no simple resolution, and Kevin never does get the talk. It's all about what goes unsaid between father and son.

Because Karen's appearances are few and far between, her ongoing storyline plays out fairly naturally over the course of two seasons. "Stormy Weather" is the romantic climax of her relationship with Michael — though not the end — as he attempts to win her back after she rejects his marriage proposal. The ending in the rain is one of The Wonder Years' most romantic moments. And it's so fitting that in the end Karen is the one who asks Michael to marry her.

Kevin and Winnie awkwardly find themselves setting up dates for one another: Winnie introduces Kevin to exchange student Inga (Shevonne Durkin), and Kevin pairs Winnie up with Matt Stevens (Jason Renfro). It's all very funny and awkward, especially as Kevin and Winnie realize how dull their dates truly are, but it reaches a poignant finish. And yet, Kevin and Winnie still have a ways to go: "Maybe we both knew there were other things we had to find before we found each other."

"Kevin's best friend gets a crush on his mom" could have gone a lot of different ways. Thankfully, "Cocoa and Sympathy" is a sweet (and, of course, slightly sad) look at Norma and Paul bonding, and the way she lets him down easy. It's clear what Paul sees in Norma, but what's more moving is what she sees in him — someone who listens to her and cares about her interests, which Jack and Kevin have long since stopped doing. Norma's right: Paul truly is special.

The reason Kevin and Winnie can't just cut the crap and date is that they're always in such different places. That's never clearer than when Kevin leaves a heartfelt message in Winnie's yearbook, and she coldly invites him to have a great summer. But Kevin remains shortsighted: To him, Winnie is difficult because she's a girl. He has no conception of her pain. When Winnie reveals that her dad is moving out, it's sad. But it's Winnie saying "I miss my brother" that's truly heartbreaking.

"Homecoming" catches you off guard. The primary story, about Kevin trying to steal a rival school's mascot, pales in comparison to what ends up being the heart of the episode, Wayne's friend Wart returning from Vietnam. In the gripping conclusion, Wart has a full breakdown and takes off his clothes, tearfully telling Wayne, "Nothing seems to fit anymore." Wayne offering his own clothes and comfort is one of his finest moments.

Jack's insistence on fixing his crumbling home is an obvious metaphor, especially since this is an episode about Karen making the controversial choice to live with her boyfriend. David Schwimmer is perfect as MIchael, but much of the success of this episode rests on Dan Lauria's incredible facial expressions. Of course, it all comes down to the final fight between Jack and Karen: She insists that times are changing, and Jack shouts, "I haven't changed!" Conversation over, for now.

It's fitting that Paul loses his virginity before Kevin, who views himself as way more adept at dating and sex. But if there's one thing "Carnal Knowledge" reminds us about teenage boys, it's that "lust and ignorance went hand in hand." While Kevin and his friends conspire to see a movie about sex, Paul is actually having it — something that Kevin, Ricky, and Chuck can barely process. "Things happen fast, sometimes too fast," an adult Kevin laments.

Breakups can feel a little like deaths, and they must be mourned accordingly. Kevin goes through the stages of grief in "Denial," first refusing to accept that Winnie has moved on and then taking out his anger on her — and on Madeline, who at least kind of deserves it. But mostly it's about Kevin coming to terms with Winnie needing her space, culminating in an incredibly poignant moment in which Jack gives good advice, for once, and Kevin hugs the man from whom he's so often disconnected.

It's hard not to get emotional when Karen and Michael tie the knot — and inadvertently announce that they're moving to Alaska. Before that, it's lovely to see Jack and Norma come around and embrace the counterculture ceremony that their daughter wants. Norma's declaration that she will never let Karen go is heartbreaking, but Kevin's voiceover is sob-worthy: "And parents, filled with love and despair, held on to the past, and kept a quiet vigil for the future."

We once again return to Romeo and Juliet as a stirring reminder of how melodramatic teenage romance is. In "Night Out," Kevin and Winnie's odd lack of intimacy is brought to the forefront when the couple gets invited to a makeout party. It's horrible watching Winnie feel the weight of pressure to grow up faster and flee, but the big romantic finish heals all wounds: Winnie shows up at Kevin's window and walks him to the bridge, where she kisses him on her own terms.

"Don't You Know Anything About Women?" is hard to watch because it teaches a tough lesson. Kevin knows he likes his lab partner Linda (Maia Brewton), who is funny and smart, but he naturally finds himself drawn to perfect blonde classmate Susan Fisher (Kelly Packard). Kevin ends up letting Linda go for a chance to dance with Susan, who turns out to be a dud. And by the time Linda has moved on to another partner, Kevin is left alone — no Linda, no Susan, and no Winnie.

Another heavy episode about fathers and sons, "Private Butthead" sees Wayne deciding to join the army because he can't figure out what to do with his future. When it comes to his eldest son, Jack has always been frustrated and short, never quite realizing what Wayne needs. It's only in this episode that he admits, "You've been looking for my help. I don’t know where I've been. I wanted so much more for you." They hug, "Forever Young" plays, Wart goes to Vietnam, and you bawl.

Karen and Kevin's relationship has never seemed especially close, so it's nice to finally watch them bond. Of course, in "Brightwing," Karen is really just using Kevin as an alibi so she can ditch school and hang out with her friends. What makes the episode so sad is that just as Kevin struggles to fit in with his sister, Karen is equally floundering when it comes to finding her place in the world. The final scene where she returns home and cries to Jack and Norma is a touching conclusion.

The two-part series finale of The Wonder Years isn't perfect — it creates fast conflict between Kevin and Winnie that feels a little artificial. And yet, it comes together in the end so movingly that it's impossible not to love it. Every revelation adult Kevin reveals about these characters' lives is heartbreaking, from Winnie and Kevin breaking up for good to Jack's untimely death. The final line is flawless: "And the thing is, after all these years, I still look back with wonder."

Kevin and Winnie break up a lot, but "Heartbreak" is the one that really hurts. Maybe it's the use of the Beach Boys' "God Only Knows," which sounds hopeful until it doesn't. Maybe it's the subtle distance between Kevin and Winnie that builds throughout the episode — you know where they're headed long before they do. Or maybe it's Kevin's mournful voiceover: "The girl next door was gone, and my life would never be the same again." Cue "God Only Knows" again.

The episodes about Karen's contentious relationship with her father are some of The Wonder Years' most powerful. Here, Karen refuses to celebrate her last birthday at home, and Jack fights hard to keep the tradition alive. It's a plot that will be repeated again in the series, but it works especially well here. That voiceover, too: "Some things are deeper than time and distance, and your father will always be your father. And he will always leave a light on for you."

Brian's death in the pilot of The Wonder Years is powerful, but there's a certain distance because we never got to meet him. The death of Mr. Collins in "Goodbye" is a surprisingly painful blow. It's one of the best episodes about loss on a show that largely focuses on what we leave behind when we move forward. There is satisfaction to Kevin finding out that he can succeed on his own, but his independence comes at the cost of his mentor's death.

This is only the third episode of The Wonder Years, so what we know about Jack at this point is that he's cranky and isolates himself after work. "My Father's Office" is the first of many episodes that humanize Jack and explain why he is the way he is. Kevin's trip to Jack's office shows him that while Jack is the most powerful person at his home, he's far from in charge at work. When Kevin sees his father get yelled at, it completely shifts his perception, not to mention the audience's.

Margaret Farquhar (Lindsay Fisher) only appears in one episode of The Wonder Years, but she's one of the most memorable characters in the series. That's because "Square Dance" is a heartbreaking episode about Kevin's inability to show compassion to a girl who's a little different at the risk of his own popularity: "In seventh grade, who you are is what other seventh graders say you are." Even knowing that Margaret ends up happy, it's impossible not to feel for her.

For the first few seasons of The Wonder Years, Norma Arnold gets dismissed, put down, and ignored by her seemingly well-intentioned family. She's a victim of the times who has aspirations outside of the home but feels restricted by the social values she was raised with. "Pottery Will Get You Nowhere" is her first major step toward independence. It's an episode where Jack is crueler than usual, which makes Norma's attempts to break free all the more stirring.

It's hard to think of a pilot more perfect than what The Wonder Years gave us: a poignant, heartfelt story condensed to 23 minutes. It paved the way for what the show would be, the combination of relatable humor about growing up with big-picture ideas and reflections on one of the most turbulent times in U.S. history. Kevin and Winnie's first kiss in Harper's Woods is one of the sweetest TV moments of all time — and gut-wrenching when you consider the context.

"Faith" is an episode about death and taxes: Kevin is tasked with writing his own obituary, while Norma loses the tax receipts. In the background, the Apollo 13 disaster plays out on their black-and-white TV. It's a stunning episode that forces Kevin to recognize his smallness in the world around him, until he's finally able to contextualize his life as part of something bigger. But the uncertainty lingers, as Norma admits she doesn't know if the astronauts will make it home.

"Why are you acting like this?" Kevin demands of Winnie as her behavior grows more and more out of character. "Because when I act like myself everything goes bad," she snaps. "I just want to forget the past three years." As much as Winnie's words sting Kevin, they reflect the hardships she has faced from the beginning — her brother's death, her father walking out. In "The Accident," Kevin finally learns how to be the person she needs, as they mouth "I love you" through the window.