Ep 12. The Powers That Be

In the season 3 episode 12 of The Wonder Years titled "The Powers That Be," the show continues its exploration of the formative years of Kevin Arnold, now in his early teens during the late 1960s. This episode tackles themes of family, politics, and personal responsibility as the entire Arnold clan realizes just how impactful their actions can be on their community.

The episode opens with Kevin's father, Jack, running for a position on the city council. Jack has always been a hard worker and a respected member of the community, but as he gets more and more involved in his campaign, his family starts to feel the strain of his busy schedule. Kevin, in particular, is feeling neglected as his father doesn't have as much time for him anymore.

Meanwhile, Kevin's mother, Norma, is grappling with her own issues as she tries to find a sense of purpose outside of being a homemaker. Norma has always been one of the anchors of the family, but as her children grow up and her husband's attention is diverted, she's starting to feel a sense of restlessness. In an effort to fill the void, she starts volunteering at a local hospital and quickly finds that she has a knack for helping people.

As the episode progresses, tensions start to mount between Kevin and Jack. Kevin feels that his father is prioritizing the campaign over his family, and Jack is frustrated that his son doesn't seem to understand the importance of his run for office. Their relationship comes to a head when Kevin is supposed to help his father hand out flyers at a local event, but instead ditches his dad to spend time with his friend Paul.

Meanwhile, Norma is starting to get more involved in local politics herself. She's been working with a group of activists who are advocating for better healthcare in the community, and she's starting to feel like her work is making a difference. However, when she attends a city council meeting with Jack, she realizes that the political machine is more complex and corrupt than she ever imagined.

Overall, "The Powers That Be" is a thoughtful and nuanced exploration of family and political dynamics. As always, The Wonder Years excels at capturing the struggles of growing up, and this episode is no exception. It's a poignant reminder that even the smallest actions can have profound consequences, and that sometimes the people closest to us are the ones who can hurt us the most.

With brilliant performances from its cast, including Fred Savage as Kevin and Dan Lauria as Jack, "The Powers That Be" is an excellent installment in the third season of The Wonder Years. It's a poignant, thought-provoking episode that will leave viewers reflecting on the ways that their own actions can impact the world around them.