Jump to content

Type keyword(s) to search
Forum Reorganization

S01:E19 Love & War

AgentRXS

By AgentRXS
in The Wonder Years (2021)

Recommended Posts

txhorns79

txhorns79

I appreciated the nod to the original series.  This show often has little moments that can raise the bar of an otherwise average episode and I think that was one of them.  Having said that, I'm not sure the continuity is completely correct.  From what I remember from the original series, Brian was killed in the pilot episode which took place in September 1968 (since the kids were just starting junior high), and I think here they are well into Spring 1969. 

  • Love 7
Sarah 103

Sarah 103

18 minutes ago, txhorns79 said:

I appreciated the nod to the original series.  This show often has little moments that can raise the bar of an otherwise average episode and I think that was one of them.  Having said that, I'm not sure the continuity is completely correct.  From what I remember from the original series, Brian was killed in the pilot episode which took place in September 1968 (since the kids were just starting junior high), and I think here they are well into Spring 1969. 

Here's why I think the timing works. Bruce could have have put the medal in his desk when he was home in December. It's possible he could have done it more recently when Dean was out of room/wasn't looking. Clearly Dean respects his brother's privacy and doesn't go looking through his brother's things on regular basis, otherwise he would have already known about the medal. 

That being said, I don't know how much time usually elapses between the action and someone in the military recieving a medal for the action.

This episode had score that sounded more like Snuffy Walden than usual for this series, especially during the proposal scene. As soon Bruce said Brian, I though "Brian Cooper?!" and then went back and forth between "No way" and "Maybe." When Bruce mentioned Brian had a sister, I knew I was right the first time.

In my opinion, this was easily the best episode of the series so far. If we get a second season, I want to see a multi-episode story-arc on Bruce adjsuting to civilian life post-Vietnam. The story of a Black Vietnam Veteran adjusting to civilian life in the late 1960s/early 1970s isn't a story that has been told on TV/in movies a zillion times. 

  • Love 13
possibilities

possibilities

Especially right now, when there's a war going on and people are feeling very strongly about it in the present, this story has an extra impact. IT's not just thinking about the past. It's also highlighting that even when you are a hero, war is hell and it has a cost. It's hard to celebrate, even when you're getting told you did a good job. There's a grief no matter.

  • Love 4
Raja

Raja

On 4/13/2022 at 9:19 PM, Sarah 103 said:

Here's why I think the timing works. Bruce could have have put the medal in his desk when he was home in December. It's possible he could have done it more recently when Dean was out of room/wasn't looking. Clearly Dean respects his brother's privacy and doesn't go looking through his brother's things on regular basis, otherwise he would have already known about the medal. 

That being said, I don't know how much time usually elapses between the action and someone in the military recieving a medal for the action.

This episode had score that sounded more like Snuffy Walden than usual for this series, especially during the proposal scene. As soon Bruce said Brian, I though "Brian Cooper?!" and then went back and forth between "No way" and "Maybe." When Bruce mentioned Brian had a sister, I knew I was right the first time.

In my opinion, this was easily the best episode of the series so far. If we get a second season, I want to see a multi-episode story-arc on Bruce adjsuting to civilian life post-Vietnam. The story of a Black Vietnam Veteran adjusting to civilian life in the late 1960s/early 1970s isn't a story that has been told on TV/in movies a zillion times. 

Just judging by war movies, medals for valor  beneath a Silver Star were given rapidly after the unit commander recommended it. You would think a General had the authority to issue them on the spot if he heard a combat report. General Patton handing out medals before he slapped the soldier in that biopic. And some were later upgraded to higher level medals after someone like Denzel Washington's Lt Colonel in Courage Under Fire did an official investigation.

Even though I mentioned Winnie when I first saw that Bruce returned injured I didn't make the connection until the picture was being sent back to her.

  • Love 2
PRgal

PRgal

17 hours ago, bybrandy said:

Add me to the group that got a little "gasp" when he started talking about Brian and a little teary when we saw Winnie.   

Bruce's episode has been the most powerful me so far.  And if we get a second season I'd love to see more Bruce.  

Same.  And I have to admit that I chuckled a bit when Dean said that Winnie was pretty.  Whoever wrote this may have had a crush on Danica! 

  • Love 5
Sarah 103

Sarah 103

17 hours ago, bybrandy said:

Add me to the group that got a little "gasp" when he started talking about Brian and a little teary when we saw Winnie.   

Bruce's episode has been the most powerful me so far.  And if we get a second season I'd love to see more Bruce.  

If we get a second I want them to do a slight reset. Focus the show on the older siblings, have Dean commenting via voiceover on what is happening at home, and give Dean a subplot. I'm not sure when/how this happened, but I found the older siblings to be more interesting and enjoyable characters than Dean. 

  • Love 9
Bookish Jen

Bookish Jen

17 hours ago, Sarah 103 said:

If we get a second I want them to do a slight reset. Focus the show on the older siblings, have Dean commenting via voiceover on what is happening at home, and give Dean a subplot. I'm not sure when/how this happened, but I found the older siblings to be more interesting and enjoyable characters than Dean. 

I totally agree with this. Dean is a cutie, but I find Kim and Bruce to be more compelling. I want to see Kim find herself in both civil rights and second wave feminism. I want to see Bruce navigate a world that can be quite hostile towards Vietnam vets. The show can develop so many interesting stories featuring these two.

  • Love 9
tennisgurl

tennisgurl

Damn, I really should have seen it coming as soon as Bruce said his buddies name was Brian, but I didn't catch on until he said his sisters name was Winnie. I am glad that I'm not the only one who gasped, got serious chills. Best episode of the show so far. 

I hope that we can focus more on Bruce, his episodes have been the most compelling so far. 

  • Love 8

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
Go to topic listing
×
×
  • Create New...