Ten Best Non-Romantic Episodes of "The Wonder Years"

The following ten best non-romantic episodes of "The Wonder Years" are really quality and insightful programming. One could arguably have a separate top ten list for all of Kevin's romantic exploits with Winnie and others. But "The Wonder Years" is much more than some romantic dramedy, showing what suburban life was like during the late 1960s and early 1970s.

The reflections of an older Kevin Arnold (through narration) about growing up are things we can all relate to, and which play out so well on the small screen. Currently, you can see classic episodes on The Hub television channel.

Ten best non-romantic episodes of "The Wonder Years" no. one: "Hiroshima, Mon Frere" (Season 2, Episode 8)

Kevin may be no match to his older brother Wayne when it comes to brawn. But younger brother angrily goes "nuclear" with the one weapon of advantage he has after older brother kills Kevin's and Paul's hamster (for a science experiment): that "weapon" being piercing words which directly confront Wayne on why he has trouble making friends and getting dates.

Ten best non-romantic episodes of "The Wonder Years" no. two: "Pfeiffer's Choice" (Season 5, Episode 10)

Have you ever been best friends with someone whose family suddenly comes into a lot of money? Well, that happens to Kevin after Paul's father makes a pretty penny investing in real estate, then begins flaunting his apparent gain by buying new toys and joining a country club. This tests not only the duo's friendship, but the bonds of the Arnolds and the Pfeiffers go through the wringer of human nature's tensions.

Ten best non-romantic episodes of "The Wonder Years" no. three: "Good-bye" (Season 3, Episode 20)

This is one of those programs that will cause tears, especially if you recall the influential teachers in your life. Kevin doesn't think he's a good math student, but his teacher Mr. Collins challenges him to get better grades on tests, and offers him his time outside of regular class to help Kevin improve. But when Mr. Collins abruptly stops tutoring Kevin, the student is hurt because he'd grown close to the teacher, so he purposely fails his next test. Nonetheless, Kevin realizes after the tragic occurrence in this episode that Mr. Collins really did care, after all.

Ten best non-romantic episodes of "The Wonder Years" no. four: "Who's Aunt Rose?" (Season 4, Episode 13)

Another one of those unpleasant family obligations we can all relate to comes to light here: going to funerals of relatives we weren't close to. The Arnolds aren't happy about being basically coerced by Grandpa Arnold to attend a funeral for a relative they hardly knew. But during the events honoring their distant relative, Kevin comes face to face with the reality that his own father will die someday plus realizes another truth about how families often don't come together except for funerals.

Ten best non-romantic episodes of "The Wonder Years" no. five: "The Lost Weekend" (Season 5, Episode 20)

When Kevin and Wayne's parents go away for the weekend, Kevin is arm-twisted by his friends to have a party, which gets way out of hand, causing one massive mess in the household. Yet the shocking aspect of this show is that older brother, so often the nemesis of younger brother, takes the fall for the fiasco, illustrating that deep down, brothers who may not like each other on the surface still have a special bond.

Ten best non-romantic episodes of "The Wonder Years" no. six: "Square Dance" (Season 2, Episode 15)

Kevin is paired up with a social misfit named Margaret for a week of square dancing. She loves bats, has three pig tails, dresses funny, and says strange things, which creates a social nightmare for the main character of "The Wonder Years" because of all the razzing he gets from his peers. Margaret, who's interesting despite her eccentricities, tries to reach out in friendship, but learns a sad reality of junior high school life about how peer pressure can stifle potentially good friendships. Kevin admits giving into peer pressure over Margaret haunts him as an adult.

Ten best non-romantic episodes of "The Wonder Years" no. seven: "Private Butthead" (Season 5, Episode 14)

Wayne and his friend Wart are floundering in school and have no interest in scoring well with their upcoming SATs. They come up with the idea to enlist in the military. Wayne goes against the wishes of his parents, especially Jack, who temporarily becomes even more at odds with his oldest son. Nonetheless, dad is there for Wayne when he experiences yet another disappointment.

Ten best non-romantic episodes of "The Wonder Years" no. eight: "The Hardware Store" (Season 5, Episode 3)

Pardon the pun, but Kevin helped to put one of the final nails in the coffin of making mom and pop shops the exception rather than the rule in America when he flirts with and ultimately ditches his hardware store job (and insightful-about-life employer) for the "glitz and glamor" of working at the mall. For those who still remember what it was like getting more personal service and products that were actually made in the USA, this is "The Wonder Years" episode to watch.

Ten best non-romantic episodes of "The Wonder Years" no. nine: "Poker" (Season 6, Episode 18)

Kevin, Paul, and their three friends engage in some Friday night poker play. The game is overshadowed by various personal problems amongst the players as well as by projections decades later when they are old men still playing poker. But Paul's healthy lifestyle lectures to his poker buddies create a temporary rift between him and Kevin.

Ten best non-romantic episodes of "The Wonder Years" no. ten: "My Father's Office" (Season 1, Episode 3)

Even though the Arnold family has to deal with a grumpy Jack after he comes home from work, Kevin has no idea what his father does all day to make a living for the family. So he embarks with his father to the job site to find out more. What Kevin witnesses there opens his eyes as to what fathers and mothers often have to put up with to put food on the table, and why parents often find escape at home with television or some other diversion. Thankfully, Jack wasn't driven to alcoholism.

Sources:

List of The Wonder Years episodes:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_The_Wonder_Years_episodes, Wikipedia