Small Wonder: S3E1: Woodward And Bernstein

Looking Back On My Wonder Years: A Wonder Years Podcast

Hey Everyone, Angela Bowen here, the host of She's A Small Wonder: A Small Wonder Podcast. Today, we jump into a brand new Season, with S3E1: Woodward and Bernstein, which aired on September 12, 1987. In this episode Jamie and Reggie vie for chance to win a journalism contest, so they or one of them can be a reporter on the school paper. Joan is back at Jamie's school as a substitute. Whatever happened to his other teacher? Why isn't Joan given a more permanent position as his teacher? I know she's a regular one of his going forward. Maybe she stays a substitute, so the school doesn't have to give her a permanent salary only pays her subsite teacher pay. What was it back then, less than $30 dollars a day? Back in Season 2 when she first substituted for Jamie's class the principal told her she wasn't getting paid anything. I hope that's still not the case. Anyway, we're introduced to a new student Chrissy, luckily for her, Joan doesn't make her stand in front of the class and tell everyone about herself. Since this is apparently the B Plot (Ted taking over household chores is apparently Plot A) there's no time to learn about this girl and this serious after school episode feel gets quickly wrapped up in the last seven minutes of the episode. Since Jamie and Reggie's cafeteria horse meat story for the contest is rejected and the Principal refers to the one page article as a serious allegation against the school and the cafeteria workers (no investigation with the health department, just winds up being (what happened at school today talk) around the family dinner table) with no facts and no proof and no source. Jamie and Reggie find their big break right in the Lawson kitchen when Vicki let's it slip that she basically accused a freaked out Chrissy of being a missing child since her face is on a milk carton (back when milk came in paper cartons and not plastic jugs). Chrissy leaves to tell her Dad and that's the last we see of Chrissy, when Jamie mentions his findings or maybe we should give Vicki and her eagle eye the credit for this one to Joan and Ted they take it seriously and involve Jamie's principal the next day, who at first shames the boys for another serious allegation without proof, luckily for Ted who drove all over town, found another milk carton with Chrissy's face on it and showed the principal who alerted the authorities after Chrissy doesn't show up for school. The episode quickly wraps up with Jamie and Reggie winning the contest, but they're to depressed to celebrate because of poor Chrissy SPOILER ALERT! (who luckily is reunited with her mother). This episode was poorly done if you want to see an 80's show episode about a custody battle kidnapping check out on Peacock, Punky Brewster Season 2 Episode Milk Does a Body Good (with a young Candace Cameron Bure) and also Silver Spoons Season 3 The Babysitters. Both Episodes, the young girl is kidnapped by their father who is afraid of losing custody and kidnaps their child for at least 2 or more years and the mother is happily reunited with the child at the end. Join me next month when I cover S3E2: Everybody In The Pool, which aired on September 19, 1987. In this episode Vicki saves Harriet from drowning in the pool. I hope you enjoy the episode and have a great week!