Ep 5. It's a Mad, Mad, Madeline World

It's a Mad, Mad, Madeline World is the 5th episode of the fourth season of the popular American TV show The Wonder Years. The show first aired on November 1, 1990.

The episode revolves around Kevin Arnold, a 15-year-old boy who is struggling to navigate his teenage years in the 1960s. In this particular episode, Kevin has a crush on a girl named Madeline Adams. Kevin, along with his best friend Paul, tries his best to get Madeline's attention.

The episode begins with Kevin and Paul sitting in their school cafeteria, discussing girls. Suddenly, Madeline enters the room, and Kevin is instantly smitten with her. Kevin and Paul try their best to catch her attention, but she seems to be uninterested.

Undeterred, Kevin decides to ask Madeline out on a date, but he is worried about the potential rejection. His mother, Norma, tries to reassure him and offers to help him plan the perfect date to impress Madeline.

Kevin agrees, and together they come up with a plan to take Madeline to a fancy French restaurant. However, things don't go according to plan. The restaurant they had planned on visiting is closed, and they are forced to go to a cheaper and less impressive restaurant.

Despite the hiccups, the night seems to be going well. However, when Kevin and Madeline accidentally bump into Paul and his date, things take a turn for the worse. Paul's date, Denise, turns out to be Madeline's best friend, and she is not happy about Kevin's advances towards Madeline. Denise warns Madeline about Kevin and tells her that he is a player who flirts with every girl in school.

This revelation upsets Madeline, and she leaves the restaurant early. Kevin is devastated and confides in his father, Jack, about his failed date. Jack tries to put things into perspective for Kevin and advises him to move on from Madeline.

The episode ends on a bittersweet note, with Kevin realizing that growing up and dealing with rejection is a part of life. He comes to accept that he may not be able to win over every girl he likes, but he isn't going to stop trying.

In It's a Mad, Mad, Madeline World, The Wonder Years explores the awkwardness and heartbreak of teenage romance. The episode portrays the struggles of adolescence and the importance of resilience in the face of rejection. It's a poignant reminder that growing up is never easy, but it's a journey that we all must take.