When I watch these early "Pre-Antonio" episodes, there's a period during Season 2 where I get the impression that the "Wings" producers and/or writers weren't 100% satisfied with the series as it was at that point.

I'm referring to the "plot tinkering" with Joe suddenly being grounded as a pilot because of high blood pressure, and the hiring of young Kenny (who appeared in a few episodes).

It's almost as if the powers-that-be were cooking a pot of something on a stove...and as they stir it and take a taste, they swish it around in their mouth and say, "Well, it's GOOD, but it's not PERFECT....It needs a little SOMETHING!"

That "something" may have been Kenny (or at least they thought so at the time)...but as we all know, he didn't remain on the show as a permanent character. While Kenny was pleasant enough, he certainly wasn't in the same comedy league with the "grown-ups", and his plot possibilites in an adult-populated sitcom were limited.

It seems as if the "pot stirring" was still going on when Antonio made his first "Wings" appearance as a waiter....when THAT happened, and it was decided to make Antonio (who made a BIG hit on that one-shot appearance) a member of the regular gang, the series really came together.....apparently Antonio was that "dash of salt" that "Wings" needed!

Hmmm.... That's an interesting thought. You may be right.

That's something I noticed too. I think Antonio made a great addition to the series. While I do love the early episodes, it always feels that something is missing.