The Wonder Years

10 Best Episodes of The Wonder Years - Season 5

The story of Kevin Arnold facing the trials and tribulations of youth while growing up during the 1960s and 70s. Told through narration from an adult Kevin, Kevin faces the difficulties of maintaining relationships and friendships on his enthralling journey into adulthood.

Written by Sophie and last updated on jan 18, 2023.

PS: The following content contains spoilers!

PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!

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The Wonder Years - S5E18

#15 - Lunch Stories (Season 5 - Episode 18)

It's lunchtime at McKinley High and the cafeteria is full of life. Chuck spies a potential date. Ricky worries about an assignment he is yet to finish. Wayne tries to win $20 by finding out Maniac's first name. And Kevin is convinced by Winnie to donate blood.

The episode was rated 7.70 from 30 votes.

The Wonder Years - S5E12

#14 - Grandpa's Car (Season 5 - Episode 12)

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Grandpa Arnold is getting old and is involved in a minor car accident. He isn't ready to give up his driver's license until his grandson, Kevin, tells him what he needs to hear.

The episode was rated 7.70 from 37 votes.

The Wonder Years - S5E21

#13 - Stormy Weather (Season 5 - Episode 21)

When Karen returns home one night, Kevin and Wayne's living arrangements are thrown into chaos. She's had a fight with Michael and they're not talking. Jack discovers that Michael had asked Karen to marry him, but she didn't want to do anything so traditional. Michael camps out on the Arnold family front lawn in the hopes of getting Karen back. Ten days later, Karen proposes to Michael herself.

The episode was rated 7.74 from 34 votes.

The Wonder Years - S5E9

#12 - Christmas Party (Season 5 - Episode 9)

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Kevin doesn't want to attend his family's annual Christmas party for the neighborhood because it will only be his parent's friends - all his friends will be away. Jack is busy at work and Norma is busy at college and when several other problems crop up during the party, Norma and Jack argue. When Jack sends Kevin and Wayne to the store, they expect to return home to the worst.

The episode was rated 7.75 from 36 votes.

The Wonder Years - S5E13

#11 - Kodachrome (Season 5 - Episode 13)

Miss Shaw was one of Kevin's more memorable teachers. She was young, black, anti-authoritarian and actually enjoys teaching. But her unorthodox methods get her in trouble with the school board.

The episode was rated 7.80 from 35 votes.

The Wonder Years - S5E6

#10 - Triangle (Season 5 - Episode 6)

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Kevin does not understand why Wayne's new girlfriend, Sandy, is with him. The tables are turned when Sandy approaches Kevin behind Wayne's back and kisses him. In fact, they kiss all over the school. But when Sandy breaks up with Wayne to be with Kevin, Kev can't bring himself to betray his brother.

The episode was rated 7.83 from 42 votes.

The Wonder Years - S5E3

#9 - The Hardware Store (Season 5 - Episode 3)

Fed up with the low pay at his first regular job, Kevin decides to try for a job at the mall where he can meet girls. He demands a pay rise, not expecting to get it. When he does, he quits anyway.

The episode was rated 7.90 from 42 votes.

The Wonder Years - S5E1

#8 - The Lake (Season 5 - Episode 1)

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The Arnold and Pfeiffer family go on a joint family trip. Kevin meets a wild young girl who smokes! Kevin and Cara have a good time together, so much so that he ditches dinner with his family to see her one last time - expecting to never see her again.

The episode was rated 7.93 from 40 votes.

The Wonder Years - S5E20

#7 - The Lost Weekend (Season 5 - Episode 20)

When Kevin's parents go away for the weekend, he invites his friends around for a poker game. But when the game gets boring, Chuck and Ricky call all their friends and Kevin ends up throwing the mother of all parties at home - ruining the house. Norma and Jack return the next day, earlier than expected.

The episode was rated 7.94 from 33 votes.

The Wonder Years - S5E15

#6 - Of Mastodons and Men (Season 5 - Episode 15)

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Kevin has been dating Julie Aidem for two weeks when she invites him for dinner with her family and asks him to tell her parents they are going steady. When he sees Mr. Aidem is dominated by Mrs. Aidem, Kevin decides he doesn't want to end up like that and breaks up with Julie.

The episode was rated 7.97 from 37 votes.

The Wonder Years - S5E17

#5 - Hero (Season 5 - Episode 17)

Kevin is on a first-name basis with McKinley's High's basketball hero, Bobby Riddle. When the team makes it to the regional finals, Kevin's dad decides to attend the game and embarrasses Kevin by talking strategy with Paul and Chuck. Later, though, Kevin apologizes to his dad for how he treated him.

The episode was rated 8.03 from 32 votes.

The Wonder Years - S5E16

#4 - Double Double Date (Season 5 - Episode 16)

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Kevin wants to date Inga and he uses Winnie to help him get a date. Winnie does the same thing to Kevin, getting set up with new guy Matt Stevens. They end up double-dating at the Spring Dance, bringing some tension to the evening. But when Matt and Inga begin to dance together, Winnie and Kevin rediscover their feelings for each other.

The episode was rated 8.12 from 41 votes.

The Wonder Years - S5E22

#3 - The Wedding (Season 5 - Episode 22)

While Karen has agreed to marry Michael, she has not agreed to have a traditional ceremony like her mother wants. She also doesn't know how to tell her family that she and Michael are moving to Alaska, where he has found work.

The episode was rated 8.16 from 31 votes.

The Wonder Years - S5E24

#2 - Broken Hearts and Burgers (Season 5 - Episode 24)

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Kevin is torn between whether to try getting back with Winnie or just enjoying his time at the diner with friends. Includes flashbacks of Winnie in the pilot, "Steady as She Goes," "Nemesis," "How I'm Spending My Summer Vacation,"" among many others. There is also a flashback to Becky Slater in "Just Between You and Me and Kirk and Paul and Carla and Becky," to Lisa Berlini in "Dance with Me" and to Madeline in "It's a Mad, Mad, Madeline World."

The episode was rated 8.17 from 35 votes.

The Wonder Years - S5E23

#1 - Back to the Lake (Season 5 - Episode 23)

Summertime used to be fun, but now everyone's gotta work. Kevin has a job at a Chinese Restaurant with Paul, but one day - after finding a Christmas card he received from Cara, decides he will visit her at the lake. Paul has no choice but to tag along because Kevin is driving. Kevin feels like recapturing the wonderful time he had last summer, but things don't go as planned.

The episode was rated 8.18 from 40 votes.

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