The Wonder Years Season 1 Episode 17 Jobs and Hangouts

Kevin, Paul, and Winnie each have their own unique set of job-related problems in this episode of The Wonder Years. Kevin must confront the fact that his job at his dad's furniture factory, while decently paying, is not what he wants to do with his life. A turning point for him comes when he smells the new upholstery in a coworkers car and realizes he wants to work in the design aspect of furniture. Meanwhile, Paul has landed his dream job washing dishes at the Renaissance Faire, but is having trouble fitting in with the cast of characters, especially the haughty Elizabeth. Finally, Winnie gets a job at a donut shop and is dismayed when a sleazy regular customer keeps coming on to her.

Though the plotlines of the episode are relatively contained, each character's struggles with their respective jobs highlight the difficult transitions from adolescence to adulthood. Kevin is still unsure of what he wants to do with his life, and the monotony of his current job is crushing his sense of wonder and potential. His realization that he may be more interested in the design than the actual labor of furniture-making is a small step forward in discovering his career passions.

For Paul, the Renaissance Faire offers a brief reprieve from the drudgery of his other odd jobs, but the experience is not without its own challenges. He idolizes the other workers, but can't quite break through their insider clique. Seeing the limits of his hero worship is another small step in growing up.

Finally, Winnie's experience at the donut shop shows the darker side of the working world. The customer who relentlessly flirts with her is a reminder that sexual harassment is a ubiquitous hazard for many women in the workforce. Her situation, while resolved by the end of the episode, is a reminder of how easily a workplace can turn into a hostile environment.

All in all, this episode of The Wonder Years is a snapshot of the awkward and challenging nature of transitioning to adulthood. Its nuanced portrayal of multiple job situations reminds viewers to be patient with themselves and others as they navigate the working world.