Looking back as ‘The Wonder Years’ comes to an end

Junior high is the proverbial awkward time. Looks are suddenly all-important, as bodies are changing and the importance of social status increases.

No show on television has captured that time with such poignancy and humor as The Wonder Years, which will have its series finale Wednesday.

When the series began, it was set in the historically significant year of 1968. Kevin Arnold (Fred Savage), his best friend Paul (Josh Saviano) and his sweetheart, Winnie (Danica McKellar), were entering the seventh grade, and the United States was in the midst of the Vietnam War. The show depicted both young Kevin’s naive view of life and a more reflective view in his melancholic reminiscences (courtesy of voice-over by Daniel Stern).

The hourlong, bittersweet final episode brings the “Wonder” teens to the summer of 1973, where a rebellious Kevin bails out on his job at his father’s factory to visit Winnie, who is working at a resort. Neither is prepared for what befalls them.

“The Wonder Years” has been significant because it works on several different levels, appealing to both kids and their parents, in the view of Dr. Corrine Rupert, a consultant for ABC children’s programming.

Especially notable, she says, is the relationship between Kevin and his father Jack (Dan Lauria).

When the show began, “his father insisted on being in charge,” Rupert says. “Fathers have the sense of looking like a jerk if you’re not kind of showing (your kids) your knowledge. Eventually, the show depicted to dads that you can admit mistakes and pass the baton to your kids and help them be masterful. That’s a very important message, rather than one that you always have to be in control.”

The more high-profile relationship was the winsome and engaging one between Kevin and Winnie, which kept viewers wondering if they were going to end up together.

Although it didn’t come as a complete surprise to McKellar, 18, that the show would be ending, she says, “I felt sad to hear it anyway. I’ve been on the show since I was 12, so I’ve really had my own ‘Wonder Years’ on the show. I feel fortunate to have been a part of such a good show.”

While there has been some recent controversy surrounding the show--a former makeup artist has accused Savage and TV brother Jason Hervey of sexual harassment--the program is still heralded among those who monitor and critique television.

Expressing her disappointment at the show’s cancellation, Action for Children Television president Peggy Charren says, “The problem is not to keep ‘Wonder Years’ on forever, because chances are in syndication, it will, but it’s important for writers to keep writing shows like it. There are so few series that care about the human condition as the essence of the story line, as ‘Wonder Years’ did, so when one disappears it feels like a death in the family.”

“Summer/Independence Day,” the “Wonder Years” series finale , air s Wednesday from 8-9 p.m. on ABC. For ages 8 and up.

MORE FAMILY SHOWS

Sunday, the Learning Channel will present Mother & Child: A Mother’s Day Celebration, three shows, “The Mystery of Birth,” (5 and 9 p.m.) “Caesarian Section” (6 and 10 p.m.) and “Babywatching,” (7 and 11 p.m.). For parents and parents-to-be.

Barbie’s expression, measurements and wardrobe may have changed slightly, but kids still are playing with her, as much as their mothers did. Dolls in Playland (Sunday 10-11 p.m. Discovery) profiles the famous toy, from her creation in 1959. For ages 8 and up.