THE WONDER YEARS: The Complete Third Season delights on DVD

THE WONDER YEARS debuted in 1988 as the series looking at growing up in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s. The series became unlike any show on television.

The series centers around Kevin (Fred Savage), a pre-teen boy who tries to cope with teen angst while also dealing with annoying older brother Wayne (Jason Hervey). Adding to the family life is older rebellious sister Karen (Olivia d’Abo), workaholic dad Jack (Dan Lauria) and loving Mom of them all Norma (Alley Mills).

Kevin also shares his life with best friend Paul (Josh Saviano) and the girl who would continually steal his heart, Winnie (Danica McKellar).

The third year gives fans “Summer Song” The Arnolds decide to take a vacation to Ocean City but the family isn’t without its problems. Paul gets car-sick, Wayne’s being Wayne, Karen can’t stop complaining and the only one seeming to have a good time is Kevin who meets a beauty on the beach.

In “Math Class” Kevin begins the eighth grade and struggles with a very strict math teacher. “Wayne on Wheels” is the classic episode where Kevin meets another ‘dream girl’ and Wayne drives Kevin crazy - literally. With “Mom Wars” Kevin decides to play football again his Mom’s wishes.

“On the Spot” has the new drama teacher holding auditions for the play Our Town as Winnie takes on the lead role and Kevin handles the spotlight! “Odd Man Out” has Kevin and Paul looking for new best friends and “The Family Car” has the family looking for a new car.

There are also the episodes The Pimple, Math Class Squared, Rock n’ Roll, Don’t You Know Anything About Women?, The Powers That Be, She, My Friend and I, St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, The Tree House, Glee Club, Night Out, Faith, The Unnatural, Goodbye, Cocoa and Sympathy, Daddy Little Girl and Moving.

The complete third season DVD contains all 23 episodes, over 520 minutes, in their original broadcast5 version on four discs. There is also two hours of bonus features including interviews and behind-the-scene features. The set also includes, and this is what I’m thrilled about, over 50 songs featured in the original broadcast with The Beach Boys,

The Jackson 5, Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon, Elton John, Linda Ronstadt, Judy Collins, Lovin’ Spoonful, James Taylor, The Who, The Righteous Brothers, James Brown, Jackie Wilson and more!

TUBS OF POPCORN: I give THE WONDER YEARS: The Complete Third Season four tubs of popcorn out of five. I’d have to wonder what planet a person was on who didn’t know about this series. This series looked at almost every issue during the era of the 60s and 70s.

It was easy to see why fans returned season after season and also why THE WONDER YEARS would have six Emmy Winning seasons. This is a series the whole family can sit down and watch together, laugh together and even drop a tear or two together. The music is insanely good which only adds to the shows success.

When you are looking to extend the family library with shows that are worth every moment of your time, then add THE WONDER YEARS: The Complete Season Three to your collection.

In the end – it’s a family affair!