Ep 17. How I'm Spending My Summer Vacation

The Wonder Years season 2 episode 17, entitled "How I'm Spending My Summer Vacation," follows 12-year-old Kevin Arnold as he faces the bittersweet reality of the end of summer. With just a few days left of freedom before returning to school, Kevin tries to make the most of his time with his friends and family.

The episode opens with Kevin and his best friend Paul sitting on Kevin's front porch, lamenting the end of summer and wondering how they can make the most of their last few days before the start of the new school year. As they brainstorm ideas, Kevin's older brother Wayne interrupts them, bragging about the fun he's had over the summer.

Kevin and Paul decide to try and make their own fun by organizing a daylong adventure, beginning with a trip to the local carnival. There, they get into some trouble with the ferris wheel operator and narrowly avoid being kicked out. Undeterred, they press on with their plans and decide to spend the afternoon swimming at a nearby lake.

As they swim and play, Kevin can't help but feel melancholy and reflect on the past few months. He thinks about a girl he liked at the beginning of the summer, and how things didn't work out. He also thinks about his father's failing business and how it has affected their family. Despite these worries, Kevin tries to enjoy the moment with his friends and not think about the looming end of summer.

Later that night, Kevin's parents take the family out to dinner, but the night takes a turn for the worse when they bump into his father's business partner. The encounter is tense and awkward, and Kevin can sense the tension between the two men.

The next day, Kevin decides to spend some time alone and visit a nearby junkyard. There, he finds an old car and decides to make it his own personal project for the rest of the summer. He spends the rest of the day tinkering with the car and dreaming of all the adventures he'll have in it.

As the episode comes to a close, Kevin reflects on his summer and how he spent it. Despite the ups and downs, he realizes that he's grown and learned a lot over the past few months. He's grateful for the memories he's made with his friends and family, and is ready to face whatever challenges the new school year may bring.