For six seasons, The Wonder Years captured the angst of growing up in suburban middle-class America in the late ’60s, as seen through the life and times of Kevin Arnold. Audiences eagerly followed his evolution as a typical teenager who remembered every moment of his transition from childhood with excruciating detail and remarkable hindsight...

Fabulous Films Ltd / Fremantle Media Enterprises finally release all six seasons of The Wonder Years as it was intended to be viewed - with the original '70s soundtrack that it first aired with. Because of rights issues, once the show went into syndication a lot of the original tracks had to be replaced - albeit in the main with the same songs but performed by different artists. Now fans of the show get to relive the originally broadcast episodes.

This release is long overdue, and I'm ashamed to say my review is also incredibly late. This release came out in May and it's only now, at the end of August, that I've finished watching all the episodes and extras.

I apologise to the distributor and the PR company, because they did send every single disc in the collection for review, but I have a good excuse. The Wonder Years was a part of my youth and this was not a review I could rush. I wanted to savour the episodes... and wallow in nostalgia. I wanted to do the release the justice it so rightly deserves.

Like most people of my age (I'm in my mid-40s if you must know) The Wonder Years was that one show that you fondly remember from the '80s and '90s. I didn't watch it religiously and in truth I only saw a small fraction of the entire series, but it was a show I enjoyed if I happened to catch it.

Like just about everyone else I know, the show basically told my life story from my own "Wonder Years". Everyone has a best friend (like Paul); a girl/boy they loved (like Winnie); a teacher they fancied (like Mrs White); and shared many of the same life experiences that Kevin went through.

It seems pointless going through the highlights of the show - as this is such a subjective issue. But there are interesting and touching moments in episodes like 'Grandpas Car'; 'Goodbye'; and 'The Family Car', all of which showcase stories where Kevin has to say goodbye to something or someone he'd taken for granted, as he moves every forward into manhood. His on/off relationship with Winnie, his interaction with his family and friends and his school life all play out out with news and event from the '60s and '70s playing out on the family TV. Although this is never obtrusive and doesn't get in the way of the timeless stories.

It's surprising how consistently good the writing is - although I have to single out season three as having the most number of unmissable episodes. In fact the only time I started to think the show was getting a little silly was in season four's 'Graduation', where the underage Kevin has to drive the pregnant Mrs. Heimer (formerly Miss White) to the hospital. This is followed by the series's only clips based episode, and probably the worst in the show's entire run 'The Wonder Years: Looking Back...'

What's also impressive about this collection is the number of new extras. They're spread over the entire box set (normally on the last disc of each season) with an additional 2 discs of extras). Attention to detail here is also worth noting. Not a single spoiler is revealed about future episodes.

Extras:

Season 1

Highlights from the Wonder Years Cast Reunion - 28 May 2014  (20 min, 23 sec cast reunion - the full feature is on the last disc).

With a Little Help From my Friends: The Early Days of the Wonder Years (24 min, 35 sec - Creators talk about the show's origin - and that it was first envisaged as a film rather than a TV series. They discuss how the trees on the streets, where the Arnold house was, situated. had all been removed as they were diseased. This gave it the perfect '70s street look of a new housing estate. It also reveals that the actress playing Becky Slater is Danica McKellar's (Winnie) sister and that she was originally up for the part of Winnie. Winnie's brother was Robert Mitchum's grandson. They also had struggles with the studio, who wanted to cast a famous movie star as the father.

We also get new interviews with: Creators Neal Marlens and Carol Black (33 min, 53 sec); Fred Savage (29 min, 24 sec); Danica Mckellar (12 min, 17 sec); Josh Saviano (21 min, 34 sec) These are the full interviews - segments of which were used in the With a Little Help... feature.

Season 2

School Days (7 min, 52 sec Roundtable with Danica, Fred and Josh as they reminisce about the show); and The Times They Are A-changing: The Era (28 min, 45 sec which looks at the Vietnam war, what it was like to be a woman in '60s).

We also get Interviews with Daniel Stern (Narrator) (30 min, 59 sec); Dan Lauria (Jack Arnold) (20 min, 43 sec) and Alley Mills (Norma Arnold) (33 min, 34 sec).

Season 3

Hall Pass: Roundtable with Cast (7 min, 54 sec); A Family Affair: At Home with the Arnold's (26 min, 33 sec behind the scenes reminisce with cast and crew).

And another batch of Interviews. This time with Olivia d'Abo (33 min, 34 sec); Jason Hervey 23 min, 31 sec); Danica McKellar (15 min, 59 sec) and Crystal McKellar (20 min, 54 sec).

Season 4

ABC: Teachers That Made a Difference (36 min, 20 sec) and more Interviews with: Fred Savage (21 min, 21 sec); Robert Picardo (Coach Cutlip) (37 min, 37 sec); Ben Stein (Mr Cantwell) (15 min, 09 sec) and Wendel Meldrum (Miss White / Mrs Heimer) (12 min, 38 sec).

Season 5

That's A Wrap!: Mark B. Perry's Farewell Set Tour Season 5 (3 min, 56 sec which sees Perry's, who was a writer for three seasons, home video recording of the show's set as they were tearing it down at the end of season 5); and Will You Love Me Tomorrow: The Wonder Years' Love Stories (26 min, 05 sec which look at Kevin, Wayne and Karen's various romantic relationships). We also have more Interviews with Olivia d'Abo (Karen Arnold) (35 min, 38 sec) and David Schwimmer (Michael) (40 min, 09 sec).

Season 6

One-hour ABC Broadcast of the Series Finale (47 min, 52 sec which sees the original two-parter joined together); At Last: The Final Episode (16 min, 20 sec which reveals that the cast didn’t know it was the last episode when it was being filmed although they were aware it could be the last episode if the show wasn't picked up for another season. However, the producers did know it was going to be the last episode and started writing towards a wrap up at about the mid-season point).

We get an Interview with Bob Brush (Executive Producer) (54 min, 53 sec); From the Vault: Alley Mills and Bob Brush Letters (4 min, 41 sec which sees an emotional Mills recounting the story of how she was not happy with the show's final episode and let the producer know. But on watching it she realised that it was a good episode and she wrote to Bob Brush to apologise. Here she reads out her original letter and Brush's reply).

The final three discs contain just extras:

16 Years Later: Cast Reunion 28 may 2014 (51 min, 56 sec); Pilot Episode Outtakes: The First Kiss Commentary with Danica and Fred (19 min, 44 sec rushes from the first kiss scene. Danica's mum was given these outtakes on VHS by the producers); When a Man Loves a Woman: Kevin and Winnie Forever (29 min, 55 sec which sees cast and crew talking about Winnie and Kevin's relationship).

There are also Interviews with Neal Marlens and Carol Black (Creators) (30 min, 37 sec); Dan Lauria (Jack Arnold) (22 min, 18 sec - a more personal interview and sees him talking about the plans the creators originally had for the end story arcs for all of the characters. He also has fond memories of Fred doing a play for the first time); and Alley Mills (Norma Arnold) (23 min, 32 sec - which again is more personal and sees her recollecting her numerous battles on set).

Bookends (14 min, 14 sec looks at the character of Paul, as well as Paul and Kevin's friendship); Both Sides Now: The Music that Made the Moments (17 min, 58 sec); and another batch of Interviews with Seth Green (Jimmy Donnelly) (9 min, 37 sec); Ken Topolsky (Producer)  (32 min, 46 sec); W.G. "Snuffy" Walden (Composer) (18 min, 05 sec who was fired several times from the show. This is interesting as he goes into his composing process); David Bianculli (TV Critic) (28 min, 37 sec); and Michael Dinner (Director) (34 min, 36 sec).

And the final disc contains I Love You for Sentimental Reasons: Fan Favourite Episodes (22 min, 08 sec Look at some of the show's most loved moments and some behind the scenes info from cast and crew); and a final batch of Interviews for David Stern (Narrator) (26 min, 43 sec); Mahaila McKellar (Danica and Crystal's Mom) (9 min, 27 sec); Skip Cook: Key Grip (23 min, 32 sec); Alicia Alexander (Location Manager) (11 min, 51 sec); and Mark B. Perry (Writer / Producer) (52 min, 06 sec).

10

Darren Rea