The Wonder Years Review: The Valentine’s Day Dance (Season 1 Episode 13)
The Wonder Years Season 1 Episode 13, “The Valentine’s Day Dance,” dissects an adolescent event we’re all too familiar with — school dances and the inevitable heartache and awkwardness accompanying them.
“The Valentine’s Day Dance” presents a simple premise and delivers across the board. It’s proof that, more often than not, simplicity is best. Elisha Williams and Don Cheadle join forces to offer a synchronized, seamless performance brimming with heart and relatability.
KIM: I spent 12 years as Dean’s big sister. Shouldn’t that count toward community service?
The Wonder Years‘ bread and butter is its ability to strike a universal connection with its viewers. “The Valentine’s Day Dance” might be one of its most unifying episodes yet, in that regard.
Laura Kariuki always brings her A-game as Dean’s older sister Kim, but “The Valentine’s Day Dance” gives her a chance to shine properly. Not only does she infuse Kim with that typical “cool girl” flair, but Kariuki imbues the elder Williams sibling with tenderness and empathy.
LILLIAN: Dean! Why is your dinosaur underwear in the oven?
The Wonder Years never shies away from its family-friendly yet snappy brand of comedy, and “The Valentine’s Day Dance” is a treasure trove of funny quips and witty comebacks. Kariuki, in particular, delivers on that front.
Amid all the fun moments, the scene wherein the shopkeeper refuses to let Dean and Keisa go with Kim showcases the pervasiveness of racism, even concerning shoplifting teens. Firstly, Keisa swiped two makeup products, not a priceless diamond.
Secondly, why not allow Dean’s older sister, who has a driver’s license, to pick him up? Why wait for police involvement? The shopkeeper’s vigilance seemed like overkill. He might not display that kind of severity if the teenage shoplifters were white.
DEAN: Don’t mind me — just getting my daily pump.
Of course, this could be considered nitpicking, but The Wonder Years doesn’t rely on throwaway storylines or unintentional moments, especially regarding microaggressions and racism. The show artfully, gracefully, and methodically explores these serious topics.
“The Valentine’s Day Dance” hits close to home with its presentation of quintessential adolescence — the glaring obstacles, pitfalls, and soaring triumphs. Who doesn’t relate to unrequited love and bending backward to impress your crush?
We’ve all been there, and The Wonder Years immerses us in that world, helping us relive our past school dances and romantic trials through its sweet, introspective nostalgia. “The Valentine’s Day Dance” reminds us of the simultaneous heartbreak and headiness that comes with first loves.
As Dean will soon learn, life overflows with many loves and losses, but its beauty lies in our ability to savor what we have.
Stray Observations:
- As usual, Kim’s fashion sense is on par with her badass aura.
- Who wouldn’t want to go to the school dance with Dean? He’s a cutie patootie.
- Lillian and Bill are those parents who enjoy embarrassing you in front of your crush.
- Hampton’s acute attention to detail will make a future partner immensely happy.
- Every middle school or high school adopts the “Under the Sea” dance theme once per class year. It’s an unspoken public school rule.
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.