The Wonder Years Review: Brad Mitzvah (Season 1 Episode 11)
The Wonder Years Season 1 Episode 11, “Brad Mitzvah,” hilariously and thought-provokingly tests Dean’s maturity and self-respect through the lens of Brad’s bar mitzvah. It’s one of the show’s best outings thus far.
Dean learns many lessons in “Brad Mitzvah,” from gaining a sense of self-respect and not changing for anyone to acquiring a deeper understanding of race, ethnicity, and religion. Through Brad’s bar mitzvah, Dean discovers we all share more similarities than differences.
ADULT DEAN: When you’re 12 years old, anything that makes you unique makes you stand out, and that’s the last thing you want to do in junior high.
Elisha Williams consistently brings his A-game in The Wonder Years, and this episode is no exception. He and Don Cheadle are a cohesive, synchronistic unit, delivering a fully fleshed-out, endearing, and relatable character.
Dulé Hill couldn’t be further from Gus on this series as the cool, calm, and collected Bill. “Brad Mitzvah” gives Hill a chance to put his comedic prowess on display, cracking witty one-liner after witty one-liner. He provides laughs aplenty.
BILL: He’s not gonna like you, son, but that’s just because he’s a good dad.
“Brad Mitzvah” addresses crucial issues on all fronts — societal and personal. While Brad becomes a man via his bar mitzvah, the show skillfully brings Dean’s respective journey to “manhood” into the fold. Throughout that journey, Dean morphs into an adult on his own.
The Wonder Years never shies away from vital topics, including diving into Dean’s experience growing up as a Black teen in 1960s Alabama. The opening scene with the kids wanting to touch Dean’s afro part resonates today, as we see folks, namely white, still trying to touch Black hair. It’s proof positive that history repeats itself; it’s an ouroboros of self-destruction and refusal to learn from past mistakes.
“Brad Mitzvah” explores these issues with equal parts heart and humor, never beating around the bush and carefully injecting levity to keep audiences laughing. Every performer fires on all cylinders, delivering sharp dialogue and ensuring those comedic moments land without a hitch.
ADULT DEAN: It was in moments like these that I remembered that Kim wasn’t just my sister; she was a girl, too.
The Wonder Years keeps getting better and better, equipped with the potential to skyrocket into the television stratosphere.
Stray Observations:
- The supporting cast on The Wonder Years always knocks it out of the park, especially Milan Ray, Amari O’Neil, and Julian Lerner. Here’s hoping the show continues to shine a light on these talented youngsters.
- The silent comedic beats in “Brad Mitzvah” are killer — Saycon Sengbloh and Dulé Hill’s charged glances at Dean are top-tier.
- Imagine if those kids reading Daredevil in 1968 lived long enough to see it become a successful Netflix series (sorry, we need to erase the 2003 film with Ben Affleck from our collective memory).
- Once again, Bill and Lillian Williams are the coolest parents that ever did “cool.”
- Every 12 year old knows that to fit in, you must change every part of yourself so that you don’t stand out.
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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Melody McCune
Melody loves TV. Maybe too much. Besides being a Senior Writer for Tell-Tale TV, she's the Managing Editor for Geek Girl Authority, an Independent Contractor for Sideshow Collectibles, and a Senior Writer for Eulalie Magazine. Additionally, she has bylines in Culturess, Widget, and inkMend on Medium. To top it all off, she's a critic for Rotten Tomatoes and CherryPicks.