Storyline

The series' plot begins with Kevin, his best friend Paul and Winnie starting school in 1968.

Looking back, adult Kevin explains that his school, like many others that year, was renamed Robert F. Kennedy High School. In the pilot episode, Winnie's older brother died in the Vietnam War. Kevin meets Winnie in a nearby forest where they kiss for the first time. The two's relationship goes dormant for a while because Winnie is dating an older boy. Kevin goes out with Becky Slater for a short time instead. After Kevin breaks up with Becky because of his feelings for Winnie, Becky becomes a nuisance for Kevin for a long time. Winnie finally breaks up with Kirk, and Kevin and Winnie kiss for the second time during the summer vacation of 1969. Around Valentine's Day 1970, Winnie temporarily goes out with Paul, who has broken up with his girlfriend Carla. Shortly afterwards, Winnie and Kevin start dating again.

Just before summer vacation, Winnie and her family move into a house four miles away. She and Kevin decide to have a “long-distance relationship.” A beautiful new student named Madeline Adams comes to Kevin's school; Kevin has his eye on her, but it's Winnie who ends the relationship for a student at her new school. Both relationships don't last long, but Winnie and Kevin don't get back together until Winnie is injured in a car accident. After junior high, Kevin and Winnie move on to McKinley High.

Kevin has several short love affairs starting in the summer of 1971. When his grandfather loses his driver's license, he sells his car to Kevin for one dollar. Paul also transfers to McKinley High because his father is having financial difficulties. Winnie and Kevin get back together after they go to the prom with different partners but find each other more attractive than their companions. At the end of 1972, Kevin's older brother Wayne starts working at NORCOM. He goes out with a colleague, but the relationship doesn't last long. Kevin's father leaves NORCOM and starts a furniture factory.

The series is set in America in the 1960s and is primarily dedicated to the everyday problems of growing Kevin Arnold. The series neither addresses popular socially critical topics such as the Vietnam War nor is it focused on being consistently funny. The focus is on the problems of the individual characters and their interaction.

Main characters

Fred Savage as main character Kevin Arnold

Kevin Arnold is a normal teenager who struggles with the usual everyday problems. His best friend at school is Paul Joshua Pfeiffer. The two have known each other their entire lives. Kevin's best female friend is named Winnie Cooper and lives on the same street as him. In the series, their friendship is repeatedly tested.

Dan Lauria as Jack Arnold, Kevin's father

Jack Arnold is a somewhat grim veteran of the Korean War. In photos he can be seen in the uniform of a first lieutenant. He works in a management position at NORDOM, a large electrical company. Later in the series, he has his own business, selling homemade furniture. His character reflects the older, conservative generation of the Second World War. He is confused by the radical changes of the sixties. Jack dies at the end of the series.

Alley Mills as Norma Arnold, Kevin's mother

Norma Arnold is a typical housewife and mother. She met her husband Jack when they were both still in school. When he graduated, they both moved across the country without her graduating. Later in the series she catches up and works at a software company called Micro Electronics. Her character is less strict than her husband's. Over time, she becomes bored with her marriage and thinks about separating. A typical development of feminism in the 60s.

Olivia d'Abo as Karen Arnold, Kevin's older sister

Karen is a dedicated hippie. She regularly argues with her father about their different attitudes to life, with her mother acting as a mediator. When she moves in with her boyfriend Michael (David Schwimmer), there is a total falling out with her father. The two later marry and she gives up her old views in favor of her child and husband.

Jason Hervey as Wayne Arnold, Kevin's older brother

Wayne enjoys teasing Kevin and Paul. In terms of personality, he is an absolute failure when it comes to the female gender. He only goes on a date once in the series, with a girl named Dolores. When his father dies, he takes over his furniture business.

Danica McKellar as Gwendolyn “Winnie” Cooper, Kevin's true love

Winne is Kevin Arnold's best friend and his true love. Unlike him, she always gets good grades at school. The conflicts between her and Kevin begin as Winnie gets older and only wants to hang out with the cooler boys in high school. The first kiss between her and Kevin in the series is an important turning point and changes the relationship between the two. Towards the end of the series, her older brother dies and she plans to study art history in Paris. She returns to the USA after eight years, but contrary to all expectations, the two do not become a couple until the end.

Josh Saviano as Paul Joshua Pfeiffer, Kevin's best friend

Paul is Kevin Arnold's best friend. The two have known each other almost their entire lives. Paul is the typical loser. He is an excellent student, wears thick glasses, is allergic to almost everything and regularly gets into trouble with his older classmates. Paul is Jewish and also has his bar mitzvah in one episode. At the end of the series, he goes to Harvard and becomes a successful lawyer.

Background

In the U.S., the series aired very successfully on ABC Network from 1988 to 1993.

Due to its great success, “The Wonder Years” was broadcast in many countries around the world, sometimes under different names. Here are some examples:

• Denmark: Mine glade 60'ere
• Spain: Los años maravillosos
• France: Les Années coup de cœur
• Poland: Cudowne lata
• Portugal: Anos incriveis
• Sweden: En härlig tid

Links

• The book “The Wonder Years – Growing up in the Sixties” by author Edward Gross can be read in full online at https://www.wonder-years.tv/. The publication of the book was expressly authorized by the author of the book following a petition from fans of the popular series, as the book was sold out at the time and was no longer being published.

Awards

• 1988 – Grammy
• 1988, 1989 & 1990 – BMI TV Music Award
• 1988, 1989 & 1990 – Emmy
• 1989 – ASCAP Award