I'm not a reviewer by any stretch, but I am an absolute precise compiler of personal favorite forms of entertainment. In breaking this down "The Wonder Years" is my 7th most favorite 'North American Television Series' of all-time on my current Top 100 list compiled August 2014. And of the total 115 outstanding episodes created, this is by far my most favorite. The regular cast of the show and the other 114 chapters of young Arnold's diary are a proud example of the once great American television potential. But in my opinion Neal & Carol, the Margaret Farquhar character should have been included in a few more of the show's episodes because her whole persona is complete contagious comedy. So finely illustrated in the casting, writing, directing and acting in the "Square Dance". And thank you Lindsay Fisher. A very rare 10/10.
6 Reviews
The most memorable Wonder Years character (Margaret)
Dougal1625 April 2022
Warning: Spoilers
A memorable episode that shows up the difficulties of growing up, fitting in, making friends and the realities of our younger years.
I liked Margaret. I can see bits of myself in her (and others I knew). Lots of us are outsiders, not quite fitting in in school, work, sports team etc. Lots of us have hurt people like Margaret, and also been hurt like her. Kids can be cruel. Unaware that our actions can have lifelong consequences for those on the receiving end.
Involve the shy, awkward, seemingly weird kids. A lot of them just need a nudge in the right direction, to be involved, included, made feel wanted. They're unlikely to make that step on their own, especially if being teased or left out. Every person has so much to offer, and you just never know how much it will mean to a shy kid by involving them in something. And how it might change their whole life.
Kevin liked her too. But image, and the company you keep matters when you're a teenager. Kevin wanted to stick up for Margaret, tell others to leave her alone and stop teasing her. But ultimately, he couldn't, as his reputation meant more, than a possible friendship with a weird kid, but someone who deep down, Kevin did like, and found interesting.
As unpopular as Margaret was, and her desire/need for friends, she wasn't going to suck up to someone (Kevin) who obviously didn't want to be seen with her. Her pride was hurt by Kevin, but she would rather carry on being unpopular, and having few friends, than try to win Kevin over. Kevin did feel bad for what he did, and I'm glad Margaret blanked him in the end, because he deserved it.
Anyway, as Kevin said, many people he tried to impress, he couldn't even remember them. But he did remember Margaret, even with all her weirdness. I'm glad in the end Margaret had successes in life, married with kids, and became a Professor of Biology.
I liked Margaret. I can see bits of myself in her (and others I knew). Lots of us are outsiders, not quite fitting in in school, work, sports team etc. Lots of us have hurt people like Margaret, and also been hurt like her. Kids can be cruel. Unaware that our actions can have lifelong consequences for those on the receiving end.
Involve the shy, awkward, seemingly weird kids. A lot of them just need a nudge in the right direction, to be involved, included, made feel wanted. They're unlikely to make that step on their own, especially if being teased or left out. Every person has so much to offer, and you just never know how much it will mean to a shy kid by involving them in something. And how it might change their whole life.
Kevin liked her too. But image, and the company you keep matters when you're a teenager. Kevin wanted to stick up for Margaret, tell others to leave her alone and stop teasing her. But ultimately, he couldn't, as his reputation meant more, than a possible friendship with a weird kid, but someone who deep down, Kevin did like, and found interesting.
As unpopular as Margaret was, and her desire/need for friends, she wasn't going to suck up to someone (Kevin) who obviously didn't want to be seen with her. Her pride was hurt by Kevin, but she would rather carry on being unpopular, and having few friends, than try to win Kevin over. Kevin did feel bad for what he did, and I'm glad Margaret blanked him in the end, because he deserved it.
Anyway, as Kevin said, many people he tried to impress, he couldn't even remember them. But he did remember Margaret, even with all her weirdness. I'm glad in the end Margaret had successes in life, married with kids, and became a Professor of Biology.
Lovely stuff
studioAT19 May 2020
A lovely episode.
I think we have all encountered someone like Margaret, and may have treated them in the same way as Kevin.
There's so much heart in not only this episode, but also the whole series, and this is a fine example of that.
I think we have all encountered someone like Margaret, and may have treated them in the same way as Kevin.
There's so much heart in not only this episode, but also the whole series, and this is a fine example of that.
What The Wonder Years was always trying to be
skinnybert22 July 2021
Like all TV series, The Wonder Years couldn't always be at its best. But from the first episode, it showed the promise of being something extra special, and occasionally it got there. This was one of those episodes: taking universally acceptable truths, and turning them around until we see ourselves. Everyone is spot on and note perfect. The Wonder Years at its best.
*One star off for the lame yearbook scan at the beginning -- as if we wouldn't notice the duplicated photos, and the fact that the names couldn't possibly match the photos!
*One star off for the lame yearbook scan at the beginning -- as if we wouldn't notice the duplicated photos, and the fact that the names couldn't possibly match the photos!
So good because it's real
barnsleylad49492 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This is one of these "uncomfortable" episodes that hits you between the eyes. It's really, raw and honest. I think everyone had this experience with someone in school. I genuinely felt so sorry for Margaret. She's just a quirky kid who I would enjoy in adulthood. The peer pressure is really what got to Kevin. Kevin is basically a d!ck in this episode yet I understand why. It's true what adult Kevin said at the end. You do forget those you were trying to impress yet remember the uncomfortable encounters. I can honestly relate to this episode because I've been on both sides of this situation several times.
Life's Lesson
saint_brett8 July 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I watched an A&E TV-documentary last night based on The Wonder Years and it got me thinking about my favorite episode of the show and here I am. You had to go no further than season 2-episode 15 Square Dance. Closely followed by the 3 maths episodes with Mr. Collins and the Glee Club episode is up there as well among numerous others.
Personally, I didn't find Margaret kooky or odd - I thought she was decent. I liked her 3 pigtails; glasses, dress sense and quirky nature - she was full of beans and lively. Okay, so Mortimer the Bat was her downfall. I'd run a hundred miles if she came anywhere near me with that bat box - yikes. (No bats please.) To the contrary, I would have danced with her though.
So, the Square Dance episode got me thinking about who our Margaret was in our elementary & high school back in the day.
In elementary school that honor would have gone to YunYa, I guess?
We called her Onion for some reason? (How does one derive onion from YunYa, I wonder?) I can't recall what Onion's crimes against humanity were but we all hated her with a passion. Nobody and I mean nobody liked her. In fact, I think her only friend was Little Lunch and Big Lunch.
In high school I'd have to crown the honor to Lyf. (Pronounced Leaf.) Fortunately for me in year 10 I was partnered with Melissa for dancing in PE. What was a gloomy first period PE lesson in dancing turned out to be fun and delightful. We had chemistry and kicked it off straight away us two. That kid actually made me smile and feel happy and comfortable. The teacher even tapped us once and said, "Electric." We had fun. She had rhythm and could move and I responded to her. The truth of the matter is she actually took the lead and showed me how to dance. We weren't scared of each other's company like the others were.
Sadly though, and I'll never forget this, one afternoon when school rang out, (it was our year 10 formal,) Melissa raced up to me and asked if I was going to the dance that night and of course me being in a bad ass rap phase at the time said no because I was too bad. I think poor Melissa was one breath away from asking if I'd go with her? (I let her down.) But that whole night, while they were most likely having fun at the dance, I was at home brooding watching karate movies. I hated myself the entire time for not going. Who knows - I may have had fun and actually enjoyed myself? But I just had to be a stick in the mud with my bad attitude. I didn't let Melissa down.... I let myself down.
(Ain't hindsight a marvel of beauty?)
I only learnt through that documentary I watched that the Wonder Years was filmed in the late 80's. I didn't know that. All those years I was watching it I thought it was actually TV from the late 60's/early 70s. Full credit to all cast & crew involved. There hasn't been another show on TV that touched me like the Wonder Years did. Every episode spoke to you or touched a nerve in some way relatable. In every episode you'd stop and say, "Hey, that was me once! I remember being in that situation." Not to mention I bawl my eyes out in 99% of the episodes. Emotional TV at its finest. (Do I need mention the Goodbye episode? How sad was that?) I honestly can't think of any other TV show that reduces me to a blubbering mess like The Wonder Years did. It was all heart and is sorely missed.
Finally - was there an error in this particular episode though? I don't mean to nitpick but was Daniel Stern off key with one of his lines? The end part where Margaret is drinking and Kevin confronts her in the school. She asks if he was at their house last night. Daniel Stern says, "Yer, pour on the 'ole guilt, why don't you." Directly after this Margaret says, "My mother made popcorn." I think the "popcorn" quote had to come before the "pour on the ole guilt," quip first? I dunno? The Wonder Years is boss.
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