Wonder Years Episode Rankings

Wonder Years Episodes Ranked Part Deux

Here’s where we get the really rock-solid episodes, and slowly move towards my favourites. So, remember, the list is from worst to best. And feel free to tell me I’ve got it wrong in the comments at the bottom, as some pretty popular episodes miss out on the Top 10.

65. "Day One" (Season 5, Ep 2)

Kevin's first day of high school goes from bad to worse, beginning with his attempts at being the class clown. The utterly humourless, neurotic, and vindictive Mr. Bottner (Scott Jaeck) has it in for Kevin from that moment on. Jaeck's thoroughly a-holeish performance is the highlight of this OK episode, let down by the slightly cartoony way Mr. Bottner is ultimately portrayed by the episode's conclusion. Jaeck is terrific, but by the end the character has become too comedic for my liking. Still, it's solid stuff.

64. "The Yearbook" (Season 4, Ep 19)

Kevin finds himself on the Yearbook committee trying to curry favour with power couple Brad (Chad Allen) and Marci. They want him to come up with funny Yearbook quotes for every student. i.e. Say mean, cruel things about them. Like poor Peter Armbruster (Michael Ray Bower), a nice but rather large fellow who for some reason willingly accepts the nickname 'Pig'. Kevin's bright idea? 'Oink, Oink'. He almost immediately feels bad about it, but Brad and Marci won't let him change it. Brad and Marci are jerks, Kevin soon learns. It's a solid story, and fans of the late (and rather tragic) Jonathan Brandis will no doubt enjoy spotting him here as another Yearbook committee member, tiny as his role is. Seriously, though, Brad and Marci are dicks. Full confession: At our school, we wrote our own Yearbook entries, and a friend and I decided to be dicks and change another friend's entry with super-lame quotes. Then when that friend found out, he and I went ahead and changed that other friend's one. I was Kevin Arnold without the conscience, it would appear. So this episode, while not great, is one I can definitely relate to.

63. "Sex and Economics" (Season 6, Ep 4)

Unlike some latter season episodes, Kevin actually remembers he's dating Winnie in this one, but he still gets somewhat infatuated with a teacher. Miss Farmer is all you'll remember about this episode. Easily the hottest teacher Kevin ever had. That said, just because the episode is trivial and unmemorable, doesn't make it poor. It's actually one of the better eps from Seasons 5 & 6, and since Miss Farmer is a big part of the episode, saying she's the only memorable thing isn't such a criticism. Also, the episode has quite a sting in its tail. Probably the best episode featuring Seth Green's no-good Jimmy as well.

62. "The Lost Weekend" (Season 5, Ep 20)

The parents are out of town for the weekend, so Kevin invites the guys over for poker. It's dull, so they decide to invite a couple of girls over. And that's when the trouble starts, as it ends up in a full-blown party completely out of Kevin's control. This one's got a simplistic plot, but the conclusion with Wayne taking the blame is really something. You see, he knows their parents are just going to blame him anyway, so he may as well cop it. Kevin thanks him by washing Wayne's car. It might just be the closest these two have ever come to an understanding with one another on the show. So it might be just another party plot, but this one's got a little extra something.

61. "Math (s) Class Squared" (Season 3, Ep 9)

The second episode with Kevin and his dry maths teacher Mr. Collins. In this one, he learns several students have found the book that Collins bases his tests on and plan on cheating to improve their grades. Will Kevin join them? Seriously, when is this kid gonna learn to just study for cryin' out loud? It's the weakest of the Mr. Collins episodes, but still definitely worth watching.

60. "Triangle" (Season 5, Ep 6)

If you can overlook Carla Gugino looking a bit too old for Kevin (or more accurately, Fred Savage looking way too young for Carla Gugino), this is a pretty good Season 5 episode. Wayne is dating Sandy (Gugino) when all of a sudden while Wayne isn't around, she and Kevin kiss. Now what the hell do they do about it? Well, it's Kevin so you know that no matter how much of a jerk he can be, he'll probably do the right thing by the end of the episode, even when the gorgeous Carla Gugino is at stake. Seriously, have you seen the clip for Bon Jovi's ‘Always’? Stunning woman. Anyway, the final moments of this are actually really well done. Listen out at one point for my favourite band CCR's 'Green River'.

59. "The Candidate" (Season 4, Ep 10)

A good one from Season Four that has Paul nominating a blindsided Kevin for class president. Worse, he'll be running against Becky Slater, Kevin's arch nemesis numero uno. He clearly doesn't stand a chance, at least not until he gets his hands on her speech...but will Kevin ignore campaign manager Paul's conscientious advice and run with it? Really solid stuff, you can rarely go wrong with a Kevin-Becky episode in my view.

58. "The Cost of Living" (Season 4, Ep 4)

A good episode as Jack's tight wallet causes Kevin to find a paying gig as a golf caddy. The kicker comes when he finds himself caddying for Jack's boss Mr. Stein. While Mr. Stein is playing with Jack, who has to pretend he doesn't know Kevin. At first, Mr. Stein's all 'Call me Ken, son' but as soon as the fit hits the shan on his golf game, the real Mr. Stein comes out, and both father and son start to feel for one another a bit. Definitely one of the better father-son episodes this one, even if I've seen it maybe one too many times.

57. "The Walk Out" (Season 2, Ep 10)

In this one, Kevin's a part of the student council, barely supervised by 'cool' teacher Mr. Tyler (a rock-solid Denis Arndt). They decide (well, the one guy who isn't just on the council to get out of a class decides) that they should organise a student walk-out in protest of the Vietnam War. Mr. Tyler, by the way, is so 'cool' that he doesn't rat them out. Unfortunately, Mr. Diperna (the always excellent Raye Burk) does find out and warns that any protest will result in the infraction being noted on their PERMANENT RECORDS. I repeat, PERMANENT RECORDS. The student gathering at the finale as they collectively sing 'Give Peace a Chance' is a tad corny, but this is one of those issues that was always in the background of the show, and so it's a truly fitting idea for an episode, even if it's not one of the most memorable ones. 

56. "The Powers That Be" (Season 3, Ep 12)

Grandpa Arnold (David Huddleston) comes to visit and gives Kevin a beagle puppy. Having owned a beagle, I can tell you that they can be wilful and destructive, the perfect present for a kid clearly not prepared to properly train and look after a dog. Meanwhile, Jack and Grandpa have their usual tensions that end up boiling over largely due to the dog, Buster. David Huddleston is terrific as the somewhat irritating but well-meaning Grandpa, and this is the best of his episodes. He earned an Emmy nomination for this one, and while I don't think this episode is anything superlative, he was always the best thing about the episodes he appeared in. Cute dog too.

55. "Summer Song" (Season 3, Ep 1)

Kevin and Paul's families vacation together and Kevin strikes up a relationship with an older girl. The interesting bit of trivia everyone talks about this episode is that co-star Holly Sampson (who here looks a tad like a young Gwyneth Paltrow and now...doesn't) went on to hardcore pornography and Tiger Woods mistress infamy. So there's that. You're either a Cara (Lisa Gerber/Lisa Paige Robinson) person or a Teri (Sampson) person in the 'Kevin falls for a girl on Summer vacation' stakes, and I'm very, very much a Teri person. She's really appealing, and the episode's success as the better of the two Summer Fling episodes is largely due to her appeal. At least in this one Kevin looks to actually be having fun, and we also get two Beach Boys songs on the soundtrack ('Wouldn't it Be Nice' and 'Good Vibrations'). Comedic highlight is definitely Paul getting rubbed out essentially, due to an allergic reaction to seafood. Classic Pfeiffer. Not great, but solid and by far the preferred Summer vacation episode.

54. "Odd Man Out" (Season 3, Ep 6)

This is the episode where Kevin and Paul have a fight and Kevin is pretty much forced to hang around the perennial 'just making up the numbers' friend Doug Porter (the always good value Brandon Crane), a likeable but far too agreeable fellow. The whole baseball card trading thing goes over my head to be honest, but for anyone who has ever had a temporary spat with their best friend at school and had to search for a replacement (whom you're largely just 'using', quite horribly so, looking back on your own behaviour) to fill that gap, this episode is for you. And let's face it, that's most of us, right? We've all had a Doug Porter or two I'm sure.

53. "Fate" (Season 2, Ep 12)

Look, let's get the bad out of the way: The temporary coupling of Winnie Cooper and chubby-faced, pig-nosed bully Eddie Pinetti was absurd. It's not remotely believable that Winnie would ever date someone that it's very well established, is a bully. So that takes some getting over. However, the ep itself is still really good. Kevin still isn't in Winnie's good books, after the whole thing where Becky Slater ratted Kevin out to her, Paul, Carla, Kirk, and that guy who Kevin said walked like a duck. Here he thinks he's defending Winnie's honour by standing up to Eddie after spotting him using Winnie's locker, not realising that Winnie and Eddie have been a couple for a little while now. It's kinda fun seeing amateur comedian and wannabe hero Kevin getting himself in deep crap, I must say, especially when it's obvious that Eddie will do something to screw things up with Winnie anyway. Great to hear 'Born Under a Bad Sign' on the soundtrack to this ep, too.

52. "Double Double Date" (Season 5, Ep 16)

Kevin and Winnie are friends, and it's about to get awkward. Kevin wants to ask the new Swedish exchange student (named Inga, shockingly enough) out on a date, and gets Winnie (who is in a class with her) to ask her for him. She agrees, but in turn asks Kevin to hook her up with dopey hunk Matt (played by a very Owen Wilson-ish Jason Renfro). They make it a double date of sorts, travelling to the Spring dance together. Conversation with Inga is limited, Matt's a bit of a moron who is obsessed with Top 5 lists, and it's clear that Kevin and Winnie should really be with each other instead. It's all very awkward (and hilarious) getting to that realisation, though. A genuinely funny episode, and once again we get to hear Kevin and Winnie's two unofficial songs: The Stylistics' romantic 'You Are Everything' and Percy Sledge's 'When a Man Loves a Woman'. It's not concrete, but Kevin and Winnie may have found their way back to one another by the end here. Pretty good later season episode here and really quite romantic in the end.

51. "Hero" (Season 5, Episode 17)

I don't like the sports episodes of this show much, to be honest. However, this is the one that is actually worth watching. It's got something to say about heroes that I believe is probably one of the best lessons you can learn from this TV show. Kevin gets caught up in the excitement of following his school's basketball team, and particularly worships their star player, who is played by Jesus Christ himself. The episode culminates in Jack accompanying Kevin to a game to see what all the fuss is about, and Kevin ending up with not only egg on his face when the opposing team find a way to mute Jesus the Basketballer, who doesn't take defeat well at all (Because he's a human being with flaws like the rest of us). Kevin is crushed, and that, ladies and gentlemen is why your hero worshipping really ought to begin and end with your parents, not sports stars. So this sports episode actually has some substance to it, and a pretty good performance by Jim Caviezel as young basketball star Bobby.  

50. "Rock 'n' Roll" (Season 3, Ep 10)

Creepy kid actor Joshua Miller guest stars in this episode as the kind of 'cool' kid who is only cool here because a) He's probably one of the only remotely 'cool' kids at Kevin's school, and b) He's probably the only kid at Kevin's school who has an electric guitar. He can only sorta play it, though, as Kevin will soon learn as he buys his own guitar and starts a rock band with Miller's Larry...and another kid. Their band name? The Electric Shoes, a name so hilariously godawful that this very fact alone ingratiates this episode towards me. If you don't find that name instantly hilarious, your fondness for this episode will probably be a lot lesser than mine. I just love the idea of doing an episode on this subject and in this era...and have it from the POV of a truly awful, untalented band. There's just something incredibly funny about it and Miller (who you may remember from "The River's Edge" and "Near Dark") is perfect. As is Paul's reaction to Kevin's band name. I'm with you Paul, I hear 'ya. Good soundtrack on this one, including The Who's 'My Generation' and more predictably, The Beatles' classic 'I Wanna Hold Your Hand'.

49. "Separate Rooms" (Season 4, Ep 18)

Kevin and Wayne fight over who gets to have Karen's room now that she's no longer in need of it. It's a solid episode for sure, as the brothers' bickering is always entertaining. However, I must confess to being a bit nonplussed over just why it matters which one of them leaves. It's a damn bedroom, and either room's gotta be better than sharing the same one, right? But hey, they're teenagers and brothers, so pettiness and squabbling is the order of the day I suppose. Season 4 had far better episodes than this, but also worse episodes. It’s a good episode, despite the rather lame subject.

48. "Don't You Know Anything About Women?" (Season 3, Ep 11)

Linda Sloan, played by the underrated Maia Brewton is truly one of the unsung 'other' girls in Kevin Arnold's love life over the course of this TV show. It's a shame she was a one-and-done, because as much as I'm on Team Madeline, and have subsequently also come to appreciate Winnie Cooper, Linda Sloan just feels like the perfect fit for someone that Kevin could conceivably have ended up marrying. Unfortunately, lab partner Linda is even getting overlooked by Kevin in this episode in favour of "Baywatch" actress Kelly Packard and her rather annoying Southern twang as supposed dreamboat Susan Fisher. Kevin turns Linda down for the school dance just for an opportunity to have even one dance with Susan, which seems rather stupid of Kevin to me. The one thing about Susan that I do like is that she really is kinda sweet and nice, she's no predatory creature like Madeline, nor is she as frankly rude as Lisa Berlini turned out to be. It's just that Susan is already going with someone. In fact, she's really quite nice to have even one dance with Kevin if you ask me. Absolutely gorgeous ending with one of the best narrations by Daniel Stern as the epitome of all romantic songs 'Unchained Melody' plays; 'All our young lives we search for someone to love. Someone who makes us complete. We choose partners and change partners. We dance to a song of heartbreak and hope. All the while wondering if somewhere, somehow, there's someone perfect, who might be searching for us.' All the while, Kevin and Winnie are walking around alone as couples dance, not seeing each other. I mean...wow, right? A really enjoyable ep, and Brewton has personality plus, it just sucks that we never see Linda again. 

47. "Carnal Knowledge" (Season 5, Ep 19)

Kevin and the boys conspire to sneak in to see the R-rated "Carnal Knowledge", whilst Paul bails due to a family commitment. The twist here being that while everyone's watching a fictional movie about sex, Paul actually loses his virginity to an older family friend. Paul's post-coital confusion is without question Josh Saviano's best work on the show. The episode really nails the awkwardness and confusion of one's first time. It's easily the highlight of the episode, though this is certainly better than the other episode concerning sneaking into an adult movie.

46. "Dinner Out" (Season 5, Ep 8)

I have only one question/criticism coming out of this episode: What the hell did Kevin end up giving his old man for his birthday? He never got to pay for the dinner! That really bugged me, I've gotta say. Anyway, this is a really good Karen/Jack episode as everyone (reluctantly in Karen's case) gathers for a night out to celebrate Jack's 43^rd birthday, with Kevin planning on paying for the dinner. Family tensions...well, Karen and Jack tensions ensue.

 

45. "How I'm Spending My Summer Vacation" (Season 2, Ep 17)

Another 'Kevin is self-absorbed, realises other people have problems too' episode as Kevin is miffed at Winnie's rather pithy comment on his Yearbook 'Have a neat summer!'), after the virtual essay he wrote on hers (including 'I love you', in a bold move). He's also, by the way, kinda sorta heartbroken that Miss White announces her impending marriage to someone legal. Winnie has a helluva lot going on, with her parents’ marriage breaking down, and also clearly still misses her dead brother. Kevin eventually sees this at the Coopers' annual barbeque where he notices an increasingly distraught Winnie having to act as go-between with her clearly incommunicative parents. This poor girl is breaking apart, and whilst this episode isn't as moving an example of this as the later "The Accident", it's still really good, with especially fine work by Danica McKellar.

44. "Graduation" (Season 4, Ep 22)

Now we’re starting to get into my favourite episodes. These are the absolute must-see ones from here on out. A more than satisfying end to the season (As I said, I'm not including that compilation episode at the end of Season 4), even if we're left wondering whatever the hell happened to Madeline Adams. Yes, damn it, it IS important. Anyway, Kevin is excited about moving on to High School next year...until he finds out that Paul's going to a Prep school next year. He gets a bit pissy about it. He also nearly misses the graduation ceremony when taking a ride from heavily pregnant Miss Wh...er...Mrs. Heimer, who of course goes into labour, with Kevin (who can't legally drive yet) having to drive her to the hospital. Meanwhile, Winnie is concerned for the future (understandable given the last few years have been incredibly tumultuous for her), and Coach Cutlip (in the episode's funniest moment) is so overwhelmed on the final day that he quotes MLK's 'Free at last!' speech.

43. "Math (s) Class" (Season 3, Ep 2)

The first Mr. Collins episode. Kevin doesn't get Maths (yes, with an s on the end. I'm not American, so I don't have to spell incorrectly). He really doesn't get it. Almost as clueless as me, actually. Over the course of three episodes with the Mr. Collins character, Kevin learns to stop being complacent and actually do the damn work, and achieve very good grades instead of adequate grades. The very dry Mr. Collins doesn't dispense accolades or congratulations for mediocrity, especially when he can see that Kevin could easily apply himself a lot more than he seems willing to. Sadly, it's not a lesson he's going to learn especially quickly, but hey, some of us get it a lot slower than others for whom it comes more naturally. Obviously doesn't have the emotional bent of the later "Goodbye" episode, but well-done nonetheless. The lesson of asking for help if you really don't understand something is truly worthy, even if at the time of my own scholastic endeavours, I too settled for mediocrity at times (and sub-mediocrity on occasion, too. Especially in Maths)

42. "A Very Cutlip Christmas" (Season 4, Ep 9)

One of only two genuinely terrific Christmas episodes of the show, and primarily due to the brilliant performance by Robert Picardo as the humourless, insecure, and incredibly stupid Coach Cutlip. Kevin finds out that he has a holiday gig as a mall Santa, and to keep him quiet, Cutlip tries to bribe Kevin. You see, being Santa is the only time he feels as though kids actually like him. It's almost touching, really. Hilarious conclusion as Doug, Randy etc. spot Cutlip but due to some kind of Christmas miracle...all they see is Santa. I guess even 9th graders still have a bit of the childhood innocence in them where they still want to believe.

41. "The Glee Club" (Season 3, Ep 16)

Oh poor Mrs. Haycock, you have absolutely no idea what you're in for. This one's about a young and inexperienced teacher full of pep, smiles, and good cheer...and how a classroom full of terrible, terrible singers look set to crush her poor optimistic soul. Funny stuff, with Andrea Walters pitch-perfect as Miss Haycock, and Dustin Diamond appearing as one of the worst singers of a really bad bunch. A lot of fun, this one, albeit quite harsh at times. I mean, these kids seriously can't sing. And will never improve. Ever.

40. "Private Butthead" (Season 5, Ep 14)

One of Season 5's better episodes, and definitely one of the best and more serious Wayne episodes. Here he struggles with studying for the SATs and resorts to perhaps the easy way out: Enlisting in the military. Jack, although a vet himself, is furious, but Wayne is adamant. The kid is clearly trying to find his place in the world and eventually Jack has to let him do what Wayne thinks he needs to do. The ending as Wayne's buddy Wart goes off, and Wayne is left behind after being rejected by the Army for medical reasons is really emotional stuff. Wayne may be a total dickface, but underneath all of that is a kid trying to make something of himself, make his father proud. He just hasn't figured out how to do that yet.

39. "The Ties That Bind" (Season 4, Ep 7)

This is the one where Jack asks for- and gets- a raise to help meet increasing demands of raising a family, but it means spending more time away from home on business trips. One such business trip looks as if it will interfere with the traditional family Thanksgiving dinner. Norma pretty much distracts and cooks herself into a meltdown, with the three kids left to just look on helplessly. Really beautiful ending for Jack and Norma here, but boy is it almost uncomfortable to watch leading up to it, intentionally so. I have a feeling there will be a lot of you out there who will find this quite close to home.

38. "Let Nothing You Dismay" (Season 6, Ep 10)

For my money, this is the series' best Christmas episode, as it's also probably the most weighty and serious. Yes, Kevin's once again wondering what to buy Winnie, but Jack's business issues (he's waiting on a loan to get into the furniture business) provide compelling 22 minute drama. Michael Paul Chan, meanwhile steals his every scene as Kevin's grinchy boss. 

37. "Alice in Autoland" (Season 6, Ep 12)

I know some will find Lindsay Sloane's Alice to be Fran Drescher-esque annoying, but I find her immensely appealing and funny. This is one of her best showcases, as she tries to get with Kevin to make her ex Chuck (he of the constant eye twitch) jealous. Her car salesman dad Pistol Pete is a hoot (as is Chuck punching Kevin in the face, even though Kevin actually doesn't do anything wrong!), and this is the second best episode of the final season.

36. "Kodachrome" (Season 5, Ep 13)

It's a shame that Miss Shaw was a one-and-done character, but unlike other one-and-done characters, there was probably no way of bringing her back after how this one ends. At any rate, she's one of the most interesting teachers Kevin ever had. You know the type; Young, cool, really passionate, likes to hold classes outside, generally doesn't go for rules and regulations much, and you hope she'll never get beaten down by the system. Sadly, that's what happens, and it's a crushing blow to Kevin and the audience. Lanei Chapman is terrific as Miss Shaw, and this is easily Season 5's best episode.

35. "Pottery Will Get You Nowhere" (Season 2, Ep 6)

A Norma-centric episode, and really quite an emotional one. Women at this time were generally seen as homemakers, and Norma Arnold was certainly no exception...but eventually throughout the series we see her start to assert her independence more. Here it's taking pottery classes. Her family don't really get it, but at least the kids...well, Karen and Kevin, try to appreciate her admittedly unusual pieces. Jack...not so much. His lack of appreciation for Norma making him a new mug, and his seeming refusal to even acknowledge the new bowl she has made really starts to eat away at poor Norma. It gets messy in this very strong, dramatic episode, which is some people's favourite episode. I love it too, but I think some of the other episodes with Norma are actually a bit better. The ending is...wow. Get the tissues handy for this one.

34. "Courage" (Season 4, Ep 14)

Oh, boy do I relate to this one. Most of us hate going to the dentist, but add to that the fact that every time I've gone to the dentist, the dental assistants have always been super-hot. Yeah, I know exactly how Kevin feels in this episode. It's bad enough that Wayne tells him horror stories about dental work gone wrong, but to have to look like a wuss in front of a hot chick who thinks you're brave? I can see why Kevin would be hesitant to get his cavity fixed. Miss Hasenfuss (Whitney Kershaw) is one of the more memorable women to have graced the show, despite being a one-and-done. She's really sweet, beautiful, and her fears about taking the plunge to go back to school and make something more of herself...you can definitely see why Kevin kinda has a crush on her. That look on her face when she overhears Kevin say he doesn't want her overseeing his surgery...your heart will break. Amusing performance by Gerrit Graham as the rather aloof, smug dentist, too.

33. "Moving" (Season 3, Ep 23)

Kevin worries that he and his family will be selling the house and moving, but unfortunately it turns out that someone else is moving...Winnie and her mother. It's only a few miles, but it will serve as the catalyst for the slow crumbling of their relationship in Season 4. You might just find yourself getting a tad teary during this one, as Kevin almost feels as if his whole world is falling apart. However, despite what we seasoned viewers know is to come, at least in the short term, at the end Kevin is perfectly willing to travel the distance to keep his relationship with Winnie alive.

32. "Birthday Boy" (Season 2, Ep 13)

Probably the strongest episode squarely focussed on the Kevin-Paul relationship, as their birthday parties inconveniently clash with one another. It's also probably the first taste of Jewish traditions for many of us not of the Jewish faith, so as a kid it was quite educational for me as well (Though it has to be said that Paul's family are a tad caricatured). This is an all-time favourite of many, apparently.

31. "Little Debbie" (Season 4, Ep 6)

This episode is sooooo cute. Seriously, that's the only way to describe it. Whilst Paul and the gang are busy living out a “Porky's” plotline obsessing over a bosomy (though she seemed more toothy than pneumatic to me) cheerleader, Kevin is stuck- yes, in his view stuck- taking little Debbie Pfeiffer, Paul's younger sister to her school dance. Debbie, you see has a little crush on Kevin. She's the most adorable thing, so is the episode, right down to Kevin finally acting the gentleman and diving into a pool to retrieve a fallen pearl earring. Admittedly Kevin acts like a miserable dick for much of the episode, but he comes around by the end in this really lovely episode from my favourite season of the show. It’ll make you go awwwwww.

30. "Coda" (Season 2, Ep 7)

I have to admit there was a time when I couldn't bear to watch this episode (a long time ago, mind you), but it has nothing to do with its quality, it's a really lovely episode. It's just that it's the episode I've probably seen more times than any other. At any rate, I really do love this episode, and Maxine Stuart is excellent in her Emmy nominated turn as elderly, chain-smoking piano teacher Mrs. Carples. This one's about looking back on that one thing you gave up and wondering what if you kept at it and didn't lose interest/lack courage (For me there’s a few: Tennis, archery, guitar). Also, it needs to be said that Ronald Hirschmuller is a smarmy little turd. He just is.

29. "Night Out" (Season 3, Ep 17)

The one where Kevin and Winnie (now dating) go to Robbie Henson's 'make out' party. With a ‘make out room’...with bean bags. It gets awkward of course, because we're talking about a couple of 8th graders. Beautiful, romantic ending in a sweet, innocent kinda way, too as both Kevin and Winnie realise they love each other, but didn't want to do anything right then and there. Contains one of my all-time favourite songs, The Turtles' wonderful pop tune "Happy Together" in the opening scene set to images from the Franco Zeffirelli version of "Romeo and Juliet" (Ironically the film Kevin and Paul go to see so Kevin can meet up with the cute blonde in "Wayne on Wheels"!).

28. "Square Dance" (Season 2, Ep 15)

Margaret Farquhar (Lindsay Fisher), the epitome of all 'weird' girls who are whispered about and mocked by most other students. This one's gonna teach us all about not mocking or rejecting the weird girl just for the sake of losing face. It's a very valuable lesson, and something I'm sure many of us have been guilty of in our own adolescence. The undeniable highlight of the episode (aside from the brilliant Robert Picardo's completely unco Coach Cutlip having no sense of time or rhythm in overseeing the square dance practice) is the scene where Alley Mills' Norma tries to encourage Kevin to be nice to the poor girl...and then learns that she has a pet tarantula. Even good 'ol Mrs. Arnold has her limits. The message is still valid, though. Be nice to the weird kid, OK? Weird people are people, too. Even if they have a pet tarantula.

27. "Cocoa and Sympathy" (Season 3, Ep 21)

When no one in the household wants to go to a chamber music concert with Norma, someone most unlikely volunteers: Paul Pfeiffer. Paul develops a slight crush, Kevin feels threatened, and Jack...well, he doesn't seem to care all that much. Alley Mills (or perhaps Norma) deserves a lot of credit here for handling potentially very sticky material with perfect sweetness and sensitivity. Honestly, it's not as weird as it sounds. The point is that Norma is getting somewhat neglected and underappreciated within the household, Paul gives her that appreciation. In turn, Norma tries to give Paul (who, by the way, is easily the most likeable, good-hearted main character on the entire show) a little self-confidence. It's a very nice, sweet episode.

26. "Whose Woods Are These?" (Season 2, Ep 16)

Harper's Woods, the site of Kevin and Winnie's first kiss is about to be torn down to make way for a shopping complex or something of that nature. Things get torn down all the time to make way for some new development, but that added notion of tearing down a place where a kid had his first kiss, not to mention the tragedy that occurred in Winnie's family around that time that indirectly led to that kiss, definitely adds some weight here. However, without question the best bit in the whole show is an hilarious moment from Paul suggesting that 'Old Man Harper' would be mad if he knew about this. He then gets told that there is no Old Man Harper. He's crushed. Really sweet episode this one, playing on memories of childhood innocence and nostalgia, as with all episodes of the show I suppose. Judy Collins takes us out with a beautiful rendition of The Beatles' nostalgic "In My Life".

25. "When Worlds Collide" (Season 4, Ep 17)

Probably the lesser of the two main episodes based on the theme of being embarrassed by your mother, but this is still a great episode, especially if you too have ever had your mother working in some capacity at your school. Oh man, that look Norma gives Kevin when he asks her not to acknowledge his existence at school (not his greatest usage of tact) is heartbreaking, as is the sudden cold shoulder she gives him the second they arrive at school. Alley Mills really was brilliant on this show, for someone who didn't have kids at the time, she sure as hell convinced as a mother on this show. A really strong Season 4 episode.

24. "Angel" (Season 1, Ep 4)

The first episode to focus on Kevin's older sister and resident hippie Karen (played by Olivia d'Abo, who no one knew was really British when they first watched the show, I'm betting). This one has her dating a dickweed anti-war know-it-all played by John Corbett. I'm anti-war myself, but I'm not about to go on an anti-war tirade at the dinner table with a Korean War veteran, or ask a late 60s/early-1970s housewife why she doesn't want to do something more with her life. Yeah, the guy's a dick, as Kevin soon discovers for himself. This might not be the best Karen episode, but it's the first one and a pretty good early look into what she was all about. Points for playing Jimi Hendrix's iconic "Foxy Lady" at one point, too.

23. "Homecoming" (Season 6, Ep 1)

The first episode of the final season and the one episode from that season that is truly memorable. Wayne's buddy Wart comes back from 'Nam, and he's all meek and struggling to adjust to a world that didn't stop when he went away to a foreign country to fight. In comparison, Kevin's attempts at stealing a rival sports mascot are asinine, but this is mostly really moving stuff. The image of the normally selfish Wayne literally giving his buddy the shirt off his back is one that will stay with you. This really is the one episode from the final season that got back to what made the show the best television ever made.

22. "Daddy's Little Girl" (Season 3, Ep 22)

This is another Karen episode. I always cherish the Karen eps, even the ones in the lesser Season 5, because she seemed so frequently absent from the show, but this is one of her best ones. It's Karen's birthday, but she doesn't want a party or cake, and that's that. Jack says it's her birthday, she's having a party and cake, and THAT's that. It's the usual stalemate between father and daughter, with Kevin and Wayne just meek observers for the most part. Beautiful final narration telling that 'your father will always leave a light on for you'. The teen rebellion stuff will definitely resonate with many.

21. "Mom Wars" (Season 3, Ep 4)

It's a terrible thing, but pretty much everyone feels embarrassed by their mother at some stage in adolescence, and that's at the centre of this excellent episode. Revisiting this as an adult, I really do feel for Alley Mills' Norma in this one, and when Kevin resists her mothering care, that look on her face...it's heartbreaking. Probably something you've seen on your own mother's face when you've said or done something hurtful. And it wouldn't be the only time we'd see this hurt look on Norma's face, unfortunately. On the comedy side of things, the ridiculously violent, bone-crunching football scenes are amusing, but what really takes the cake is Norma's embarrassing pronouncement that there's 'plenty of room' in Kevin's crotch when taking him shopping, leading to a fantasy bit where it gets announced over the store's PA system. Priceless, one of the series' all-time funniest bits.

20. "Hiroshima, Mon Frere" (Season 2, Ep 8)

I don't think Wayne ever got anymore obnoxious and odious than in this episode. He's both hilarious and cringe-worthy, and Jason Hervey really cranks it up to 11 and keeps on going. If you had a Wayne for an older brother, this one might give you nightmares. Kevin’s parents are out for the night, and Wayne wants the bulk of the house to himself so he can invite Angela over. Kevin and Paul are doing a science experiment with hamsters (which Paul, of course, falls in love with), and when Angela rebuffs Wayne...he takes it out on the boys, and more specifically the poor hamsters. Oh yeah, he goes there. 'HAMSTER PATROL!' makes me shudder to this very day. And yet, you almost kinda feel sorry for Wayne, he's clearly hurting over Angela not wanting to come over. Notice I said almost, the cruelty to animals thing kinda tips the scales against him in the end. You'll love to hate the little turd in this one.

19. "Wayne on Wheels" (Season 3, Ep 3)

Oh, boy is Wayne a giant dickface to Kevin in this one. Basically, Wayne gets his driver’s license, Kevin needs a lift to the mall to meet a girl he's thinking of acquainting himself with, Wayne wants the car for himself...Wayne decides to act like a total dick by dropping Kevin and Paul off a long distance away, and stopping and starting the car while Kevin tries to get back in on the way home...right in full view of the pretty blonde Kevin has a crush on. It's vintage obnoxiousness from Wayne, but there's a great serious moment too, later on when Wayne gets fed up and tries to teach Kevin a lesson, almost resulting in a horrific accident and Wayne suddenly finding his inner normal human being. He took it too far this time and it could’ve resulted in serious injury or even worse. Musical highlight is The Beach Boys' 'I Get Around'. It’s the perfect choice, and who doesn't love The Beach Boys?

18. "Dance With Me" (Season 1, Ep 6)

This one isn't as good as its predecessor, the classic "The Phone Call", but it's probably one of the episodes I most closely relate to personally. Not only does Lisa Berlini accept a dance invitation (from Mark-Paul Gosselaar!) after she's already said yes to Kevin, but she even dares to use the 'F' word (Friend) at him! No adolescent (or adult, for that matter) wants to get relegated to the Friend Zone. I’ve been there far too many times to even count, believe me. It's a shame this was the last time we'd see Lisa Berlini on camera, I certainly found her rather memorable, if a tad unlikeable in this one.

17. "She, My Friend and I" (Season 3, Ep 13)

Capped off by one of the funniest moments in the history of the show, with Kevin behaving like a total arse, this is a terrific relationship episode. This is the one where Paul and Carla Healy appear to be broken up for good, and Kevin makes the mistake of asking Paul if there's anyone else he likes. His answer? Winnie Cooper. Kevin is shocked, but nonetheless he agrees to help set them up. He's an idiot. Even Carla gets pissed at Kevin. When Carla Healy is pissed at you, you know you’ve done screwed up.

16. "Brightwing" (Season 2, Ep 14)

It might seem weird, but my favourite character on this show is actually Karen. I never had a sister, Karen seems self-absorbed and aloof most of the time, and the character didn't appear in the entirety of Season 6 except in a silent cameo in the finale. Yet, she is indeed my favourite character, and I think it's that intangible thing about her, you never quite get a handle on her, her emotions could turn on a dime. But the mystery to her is really alluring. You occasionally get the feeling that she loves and is protective of her youngest brother Kevin, but with a life of her own to live, there's little she can really do about it, and her own life takes precedence. And she can be kind of a bitch about it, actually. This is my favourite Karen-centric episode and it is the perfect example of what I'm talking about. Here she and her friends need Kevin and Paul to drop in to her school to hand stuff in so it looks like she's not playing truant. Kevin finally discovers that Karen and her hippie friends are all ditching school to hang out at the hill, and rather than be mad that he followed her, for the first time in a really long time, the siblings hang out for a bit, with Karen showing a rare but appealing warmth. Of course, the family bonding doesn't last long, resulting in the usual Jack vs. Karen huffing and puffing. Karen is clearly a troubled soul looking for her place in the world. Listen out for the classic 'Inna Gadda Da Vida' by Iron Butterfly (or as Rev. Lovejoy on "The Simpsons" calls it, 'In the Garden of Eden by I. Ron Butterfly')

15. "Nemesis" (Season 2, Ep 11)

Oh Kevin, you really shouldn't have broken poor Becky Slater's heart. And you definitely shouldn't have chosen that same Becky Slater to be your audience for your rather hurtful impersonations of people, including Paul, Carla Healy, Kirk McCray and...oh yes, Winnie Cooper. He's gonna regret that one. My favourite part of this episode is actually a very small acting moment from Danica McKellar who, about to unleash on Kevin for all of the mean things he has said about her, acts all sweet and innocent, no signs of the furious anger that is about to be hurled at (an admittedly very deserving) Kevin. Even though Kevin's kind of a dick sometimes in these early seasons, one must remember he's also still young, and more often than not he's made to learn valuable lessons by the end of the episode (Or at least, the older Kevin narrating the show has learnt the lesson in time). Great use of The Temptations' classic 'My Girl' too.

14. "Just Between Me and You and Kirk and Paul and Carla and Becky" (Season 2, Ep 5)

Playing right off of "Steady as She Goes", this one sees Kevin getting caught up in the Winnie and Kirk drama, as it appears there may be trouble in paradise there, leading to a potential opening for Kevin with Winnie. Only thing is, he's currently dating Becky Slater...and boy does she not like being dumped. She also has a violent reaction to the 'F' word (friend), as we see in a very funny moment that gets replayed in future episodes featuring Becky. Poor Becky, she just wanted someone to love her. Or at least someone who won't act like they're into her before dumping her to go and be with Winnie Cooper. That kind of thing makes her want to punch people. Shout out to Fred Savage for his brilliant William Shatner impersonation during an amusing "Star Trek"-themed nightmare scene, with Josh Saviano's Paul Pfeiffer playing Spock as well.

13. "The Accident" (Season 4, Ep 20)

One of the major re-discoveries for me when I most recently revisited the series on DVD was this episode from Season 4, that I had previously overlooked in my 'Forget Winnie, what about Madeline, you idiot?!' rage. In fact, revisiting the series this time around I really started to pay more attention to the rather tragic character of Winnie Cooper and the excellent, fragile performance by Danica McKellar. This is McKellar at her absolute best as an actress, as after years of heartbreak, family turmoil, and adolescent confusion, the 'girl next door who no longer lived next door' Winnie Cooper was falling apart. She is clearly hurting and here has started hanging out with an older crowd, much to Kevin's worry. Although I've learned that it was filmed in two separate stages with the actors not together, the final scene as Kevin and Winnie both mouth 'I love you' to one another through the window as an admittedly anachronistic (rare for the show, actually) but totally right Bob Seger singing 'We've Got Tonight' makes every single person cry. Shut up, you were crying. You know you did, and so did I. It's usually the parental drama that brings the really heavy stuff to the show, but this is one of the most moving and serious parts to the Kevin and Winnie story the show ever had. It's really quite beautiful.

 

12. "Goodbye" (Season 3, Ep 20)

Probably the most critically acclaimed episode of the show, this one won Emmys for both direction and writing, and deservingly so. It's a simple, restrained, but moving episode that many will relate to. Perhaps you've had a teacher who, although not necessarily friendly, hip, or quick with praise, in their own way believed in your ability to do the work and get good grades. For Kevin, it was his Maths teacher Mr. Collins, played in lovely, understated fashion by the late Steven Gilborn (a former teacher in real-life!). In this episode, Kevin (who, like me and many others no doubt, doesn't 'get' maths) seems to want to earn the praise of Mr. Collins for getting a solid C or even a B, though acknowledging it's 'not as good as an A'. He learns that the important thing is to study hard, improve his grades, and be satisfied with his own achievements. Unfortunately, it's a lesson he'll learn in a most moving, heartbreaking way. You might just find yourself tearing up at the end, corny as the final exchange is.

11. "Our Miss White" (Season 2, Ep 2)

We've all had a Miss White in our lives, I'm sure. Maybe more than one (I’m not naming names!). Played brilliantly by Wendel Meldrum, she's the English teacher that Kevin has a crush on, and at this stage in the show, he didn't quite have a handle/proper perspective on that crush. It finds him daydreaming and doing things he wouldn't ordinarily do...like signing up for the school play, written by Miss White herself. It's a rather lame civil rights play featuring Bobby Kennedy, J. Edgar Hoover (played by Paul Pfeiffer!), etc. with Kevin cast as RFK. Fred Savage's RFK accent is hilariously...well, not good let's say. However, as corny as the play itself might be, the idea of a bigger social issue sitting alongside an adolescent experiencing a crush on an older woman is very entertainingly done. Watching Kevin get jealous as his father (who agrees to pick him up after rehearsals) makes small talk with the object of his young affections is comedy gold. It's an iconic episode.   

Drum roll as we enter the Top 10…

10. "My Father's Office" (Season 1, Ep 3)

A favourite of many, and it's easy to see why. This episode, perhaps more than any gives us real insight into the character of Jack Arnold, patriarch of the family and main breadwinner. As played inimitably by Dan Lauria, he's gruff, stern, but loving father and husband, but a man of very (very) few words. It's an easily identifiable concept: We've all, at some point in our childhood, wondered what our father does/did for a living, right? As kids, we really don’t know exactly what their job is. So it is, that Kevin gets to ride along with his father and spend some quality time with him at NorCom. Two moments in particular stand out; 1) The comedic bit (apparently partly improvised by young Fred Savage) where Jack comes home from work in a huff, with his jacket over his shoulder, followed by Kevin doing a perfect imitation. 2) The moment where poor Kevin has to witness his father- and remember, every kid's first heroes are their parents- getting chewed out by his superior at work. It still gets to me even now. Like many of the series' best episodes, this is simple but very effective.

9. "Steady As She Goes" (Season 2, Ep 4)

The term 'going steady' wasn't in the vernacular of anyone I knew growing up in late 80s/early 90s Australia, but otherwise this is another episode that has an easily relatable subject. Kevin might've become kind of an arse in later episodes, but even in early episodes like this one, his behaviour could be a little questionable. It's a lot easier to defend 12-13 year old Kevin than say 16 year-old Kevin, however. Here he dates Becky Slater (played by Crystal McKellar) simply to make Winnie Cooper (played of course by Crystal's older sister Danica McKellar) jealous. Or does he actually have feelings for Becky? That's the thing, I don't think it's as black and white, as he clearly does have some fondness for the girl...it's just that she's not Winnie, I guess. Also in this episode, Kevin gets excited at the prospect of Winnie breaking up with Kirk McCray (who, as played by a pre-Jimmy Olson Michael Landes, is perhaps the dorkiest 'cool, older guy' in TV history), leading to an hysterically funny bit where Kevin and Winnie seemingly sing 'Somewhere' from "West Side Story" to each other in choir practice...only for Kevin to notice that Winnie is looking at the door, as Kirk has an 'I'm sorry Winnie' note in the small window of the door. I've got a fondness (if not a total preference, in fact) for these kinds of high school relationship-centric stories, and this one is easily one of the best of the series. A special shout-out to Crystal McKellar, whose Becky, despite her somewhat violent and spiteful tendencies in later episodes, shows a vulnerability here that you can't help but be touched by. She likes Kevin, quite clearly, and he thinks he might maybe kinda like her back. Crystal, now a lawyer in real-life, was an underrated presence on the show if you ask me.

8. "The Phone Call" (Season 1, Ep 5)

Pretty much every guy has gone through a version of this: Calling a girl from school. It's a truly daunting, nerve-wracking experience that this episode perfectly and often amusingly captures. It's vintage “Wonder Years”, in fact along with the pilot episode it might just be the episode that best encapsulates what made the show what it was: Kevin going through the relatively minor (but at the time, very important to a 12 year-old boy) task of calling up a girl, whilst in the background the Moon Landing is playing on the TV. It's the micro and macro of life. It's a bit of a shame, though, that Lisa Berlini (Kathy Wagner) only makes one more appearance (and one further reference to her in a later episode) after this. That tended to happen with girls Kevin took an interest in who weren't named Winnie Cooper, but along with Madeline Adams (who got a few episodes) and Linda Sloane (who, sadly, didn't), she was probably one of the more memorable girls. Pretty much a perfect episode, with an especially funny (and aggravating) appearance by Wayne.

7. "Swingers" (Season 1, Ep 2)

The show really does deliver the perfect one-two punch, with this second episode being almost as good as the first. Kevin, excited by his first kiss with Winnie is eager for more...but is her brother's funeral the right time and place for that sort of thing? Meanwhile, Kevin and Paul are intrigued by the Sex Ed book 'Everything You've Always Wanted to Know About Sex (But Were Afraid to Ask)', resulting in a misunderstanding with Norma and one of the series' funniest punchlines. That the show could mix comedy and drama so seamlessly in a little over 20 minutes is one of its best assets. The other comedic highlight of the episode is the inimitable Robert Picardo as the idiotic, Napoleonic and clearly clueless Coach Cutlip, who when asked to draw the female anatomy...shows he's either a terrible drawer or has a very weird view of women.

6. "Pilot" (Season 1, Ep 1)

Surprised it’s not in the Top 5? It almost made it. This is seriously the textbook on how to do a pilot, containing pretty much every basic element of the show all in the first episode. You've got the micro of Kevin getting his parents called into school for juvenile defiance in the face of douchy authority (Hello, Mr. Diperna) and the macro of the Vietnam War hitting home hard, in the form of Brian Cooper (Bentley Mitchum, son of Robert), Winnie's beloved older brother dying in the war. The concluding embrace between Kevin and Winnie, culminating in a first kiss (for both characters and actors, apparently) is quite simply a TV classic. It's not my favourite episode, but if you want to get someone on board with this show, just show them this pilot episode. It's perfect, as is the choice of Percy Sledge's 'When a Man Loves a Woman' over the final moments.

5. "The St. Valentine's Day Massacre" (Season 3, Ep 14)

A great idea for an episode, both on macro (Valentine's Day) and micro (Kevin's valentine card to woo Winnie back goes awry when accidentally delivered to arch-nemesis Becky Slater!) levels, and also one of the funniest episodes. Great use of Fred Savage's little brother Ben (pre-"Boy Meets World") as basically Cupid, this one concludes memorably with an amusing 'Meet Cute' for Becky Slater and jerky Craig Hobson as 'What Becomes of the Broken Hearted' plays, leading into the final moments with Kevin and Winnie. Easily the most perfect non-Madeline episode of the series (Have I now spoiled the Top 4?).

4. "Denial" (Season 4, Ep 12)

You're either a Winnie Cooper person or a Madeline Adams person. I was always on Team Madeline, so this one really ought to be the one called "Heartbreak", if you ask me. Here, Kevin is having a hard time dealing with being dumped, so he tries to make Winnie jealous at a party thrown by Paul, by taking along the all-too eager Madeline Adams. I still want to scream 'Nooooo!' at the TV when Kevin delivers his final line to Madeline. Stupid, stupid Kevin. In all seriousness, it's a Madeline episode, so therefore it's instantly a top 5 episode for me, even with the sting in the tail. Kevin and Winnie's unofficial song, The Stylistics’ stunningly simple 'You Are Everything' is played, but this isn't any happier an episode than the previous "Heartbreak".

3. "It's a Mad, Mad, Madeline World" (Season 4, Ep 5)

A great Kevin/Winnie/Madeline episode from the underrated Season 4, my vote for the best season of the show. In this one, Kevin gets 'magically' partnered up with the ravenous Madeline on a cooking assignment, and has to go to her house. After dark. And she's wearing a white blouse tied in a knot to reveal her belly button. Teenage Me is just sayin', OK? Hilarity ensues, with the highlight being Madeline extending a chocolate mousse-covered finger and cooing 'Taste it' at Kevin. Poor guy is excited and terrified in possibly equal measure. This is also the episode where he loses an ID bracelet given to him by Winnie, and gets a replacement with the very funny misprint: 'Kevin Amold'.

2. "Heartbreak" (Season 4, Ep 11)

Kevin and Winnie drift apart entirely, during a mutual school excursion to a museum, with Madeline waiting to pounce on Kevin. Meanwhile, Paul, Randy, and Doug act on an urban legend about a secret exhibit at the museum. This is an aptly named episode, as Winnie breaks up with Kevin, with Madeline clearly wanting to sink her teeth into Kevin. Fred Savage and Danica McKellar are on the top of their game here, and the ending set to The Beach Boys' all-time classic 'God Only Knows' damn near makes me cry every time, even at age 36. Daniel Stern's final narration is practically poetry, as well. It's kind of annoying then, that there was so much filler in the midst of this season's big story arc.

Which only leaves…

1. "Ninth Grade Man" (Season 4, Ep 2)

My personal favourite episode. Winnie has moved to a new school, but she and Kevin make a pledge to think about each other every hour on the hour. Things hit a snag at school when a delectable new student, Madeline Adams (the lovely Julie Condra) walks into Kevin's life. Sparks fly immediately (and literally), though Kevin is as terrified by Madeline as he is attracted to her. It contains the single funniest scene in WY history as Kevin finds himself daydreaming about Madeline in French class, professing his love for her...well, wanting to, but the only phrase he knows in French is 'Do you want some butter?'. Concludes with one of the best songs used on the series, The Ronettes' 'Be My Baby' which seems to have a haunting quality to it here, perhaps though, only when you look back knowing what is to come, with the framing of the final scene adding a little bit of a clue, too.