The Wonder Years Review: Home for Christmas (Season 1 Episode 9)

The Wonder Years Season 1 Episode 9, “Home for Christmas,” delivers a simultaneously feel-good and heartbreaking Christmas tale, supported by a beautiful guest performance from Spence Moore II as Dean’s older brother Bruce. 

DEAN: I decided I needed to pay extra close attention to my brother. Never let him leave my sight; examine every word and action to make sure he’s sane.

“Home for Christmas” deftly examines the universal mistreatment of veterans, but the outing takes it a step further with a seldom-explored topic on TV: Black veterans. As we see Bruce offered a job as a janitor at a bank instead of the teller position he interviewed for, it’s clear not all heroes receive the praise they deserve. 

This point applies today as much as it did during The Vietnam War. It’s heartbreaking to watch Bruce reenlist for another Vietnam tour because he only felt genuinely equal on the battlefield. 

The Wonder Years strikes the perfect balance between heart and humor in “Home for Christmas,” masterfully taking on the challenging and vital issues of war and racism while giving us a holiday-themed episode that feels like a warm hug. That’s not an easy line to walk.

DEAN: Now, I hadn’t been to many white people’s houses before, but tiptoeing felt right. 

Spence Moore II churns out a nuanced, natural performance as Bruce, seamlessly conveying Black veterans’ struggles adapting to civilian life, especially in 1968. Elisha Williams continues to serve as our unwavering anchor in this series, showcasing Dean’s infectious and well-intentioned optimism with the skill of a seasoned pro. 

“Home for Christmas” illustrates the emotional effects of war and the devastating ramifications that come after it needlessly tears families apart. 

In addition, “Home for Christmas” introduces PTSD into the mix without naming it, notably when Dean and his friends discuss some veterans’ “peculiar behavior” after returning from the war. 

BRUCE: They only offer good jobs to the white veterans.

This newfound knowledge motivates Dean’s desire to keep watch over his older brother, fearing Bruce might be “crazy” too. This choice not to blatantly acknowledge PTSD by its medical term is true to the times. PTSD didn’t receive its official name until 1980 (although it was called other things).

“Home for Christmas” emboldens Dean to exercise his rights and strengthens his resolve to solidify his moral center. Black children, and kids from all marginalized communities, have to “grow up” faster than white kids, and The Wonder Years expertly dictates Dean’s formative years through the lens of the turbulent 1960s. 

That said, Dean’s blazing spark never wavers, and the Williams family continues to be a bright spot on our Wednesday nights. “Home for Christmas” is what the doctor ordered — humorous, heartwarming, and full of holiday cheer. Impactful, meaningful, yet lighthearted. 

Stray Observations: 

• “Home for Christmas” and The Wonder Years as a whole provide sociopolitical commentary on current issues through a vintage lens, from racism to white supremacy to war. 
• If you made it through that Bruce and Dean stargazing scene without shedding a tear, you might be a robot. 
• Dean’s wrapping abilities are impressive, especially considering the time it probably took to wrap that telescope neatly. Santa hats off to him!
• It’s nice to see matching pajamas are still a family tradition, even half a century after the time on this show. 
• “Home for Christmas” drives home the stark reminder that Black people do more for this country than white folks ever will. 

What did you think of this episode of The Wonder Years? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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The Wonder Years airs Wednesdays at 8:30/7:30c on ABC.

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