This is how The Wonder Years should've ended!

[Belair]

I have nothing to do with The Wonder Years.I’m merely a fan of the show who like many others,was disappointed with the show’s final episode.After years of agonizing over her,Kevin did not end up with Winnie; his dream girl and the love of his life throughout adolescence.So I decided to write my own ending to the show to share with other Wonder Years fans.Enjoy.



(In the final episode of the Wonder Years,’Independence Day’,it begins with Kevin in employee headquarters.He is in a foul mood and cant get over what saw; Winnie kissing a fellow lifeguard)



The scene from last night kept replaying in my head like a bad movie.My dream girl,the love of my life,in the arms of another man.Once again,the girl with the brown eyes had broken my heart.



(The boy’s room)



Micky (another employee): Oi Kev,whats up man?
Kevin: Nothing.Why cant you guys mind you own damn business?
Nick: Hey,don’t bring me into this.I’m just sitting here reading this glorious playboy. (he smirks)
Kevin: Good for you (rolls his eyes)
Micky: Hey lemme see that!
(Nick tosses the magazine to Micky,who flicks through it)
Micky: Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Now that’s a woman.Look Kev!
(Micky tosses the magazine at Kevin’s bunk bed)



But even Farrah Fawcett couldn’t cheer me up.Not the hair,that red bathing suit,or her smile.She didn’t compare to my Winnie.And no matter how hard I tried,I couldn’t get her off my mind.I knew what I had to do.



(Kevin in his car,starting the engine,outside the resort)


Go home


(Kevin hesitates)


It was then that I realised that if I ran now,I’d be doomed to spend the rest of my life running away from my problems.I had to face the music.


(Kevin gets out of the car)



Winnie by the pool on duty,talking to Eric. (Kevin comes into the pool area,instantly spotting her)


And no sooner had I marched bravely to the pool,I decided that I didn’t like the music.


Winnie: Kevin!


What did she want?


Winnie: Kevin,I thought you went home last night.
Kevin: What made you think that?


Go home because I saw my girlfriend kissing a handsome lifeguard I didn’t compare to?


Winnie: I don’t know.I think we should talk.
Kevin: I know that you want to dump me.Get it over with Winnie.


I sounded brave,but inside I was begging her not to say the words.Heck,I loved this girl,and always would.


Winnie: I’m sorry.
Kevin: What?


I’m sorry I’m about to rip out your still beating heart and shatter it into a million pieces.

Winnie: About Eric.I did something horrible.
Kevin: I know.
Winnie: You do?
Kevin: I saw you.I saw the two of you last night.

Why?

Kevin: And I was just wondering…

Why? Why? Why?

Kevin: Winnie…whats going on with us? I thought we loved each other.
Winnie: We do,I mean,we did.

DID? Past tense was never good in situations like these.

Kevin: DID?
Winnie: I guess its over then.I kissed Eric,and ruined everything between us.Its all my fault.
Kevin: Winnie,was it a mistake?
Winnie: A mistake?
Kevin: Yeah,you just screwed up right? You spent a lot of time together,and it just happened,right?

RIGHT?

Winnie: Kevin,don’t forgive me.You don’t have to.
Kevin: I don’t want to.

I wanted to take her in my arms,and hold her forever.
Winnie: I understand.
Kevin: I mean….i don’t want to let you go.
Winnie: But I cheated on you.I went behind your back,surely that hurt.

More than she’d ever know.More than I’d ever show.

Kevin: Well,yeah.But it was a mistake,maybe we can forget it,and move on with our lives.
Winnie: And you’d still want me?

Want her? I needed her.

Kevin: Of course.I…love you.
Winnie: I love you too Kevin.
Kevin: I shouldn’t have come up here.You were right.I just couldn’t stay away from you.
Winnie: Kevin,you said you wanted to spend time alone.
Kevin: Alone,yes,but with you.I wanted us to be alone….together.
Winnie: You could have been more specific (smile)

There it was.That smile.It could melt my heart,and it did.

Kevin: What about Eric?
Winnie: He’s a friend.A close friend.He’ll never be you.

Her words touched my heart.Maybe they were the words I desired to hear from her most.Because deep down,I knew there would never be another girl like Winnie Cooper.I doubted that any woman would ever take her place.

(Winnie smiles)

No other woman could.

Winnie: I want to go home.
Kevin: What?

Come to think of it,everything that was coming from Winnie now was everything I wanted to hear her say.There’ll never be another you,and let’s go home.Lets leave this place,lets leave Eric,and all the memories behind.I knew that once we were home,everything would be right again.I had my girlfriend back.And she had me.Forever.Of that,I was sure.

Winnie: There’s nothing keeping me here.
Kevin: What about your job?
Winnie: I’ll get a job back home.Its no big deal.I don’t want to be here anymore.

Perhaps Winnie Cooper and I would have that perfect summer after all.We’d be together.Nothing else mattered.

Kevin: Are you sure?
Winnie: Yeah,yeah.Yeah.

Three yeahs? Sounded sure to me.

Kevin: Ok,great!

Mission accomplished.What I had come to this horrid place for was Winnie….and now she was coming home…with me.I had got what I came for.

Winnie: I’ll get my things and meet you out front in 10?
Kevin: Great.

Terrific.

(Kevin smiles)


(Boys room.Kevin is happily packing his bags)

Micky: Hey Arnold,your old man called.I think he wants you to give a bell back.
Kevin: Not necessary.I’m going home.
Micky: HOME?
Kevin: Yeah,with my girlfriend.
Micky: Winnie quit her job here?

Yeah.What a girl.

Kevin: Yeah,that’s right.We’re going home.To make the most of what is left of summer.
Micky: Hey,good for you man.

(Eric enters)

Eric: Kevin,I just spoke to Winnie.She tells me she’s leaving.

Yeah,in your face.

Kevin: Yeah,she quit.Is there a problem?
Eric: I came to apologize.About last night.I screwed around on my girlfriend too,ya know.But I can see that you and Winnie have something special.

I actually felt like I could forgive the guy.And why not? He had sincerely apologized,and in a few minutes I’d be on the road,with my girlfriend.Going home.I was happy.

Kevin: Hey,thanks man.Its okay.Winnie told me.All is forgiven.
Eric: No hard feelings then?
Kevin: None at all.
Eric: Thanks man.I wish you and Winnie all the best.

What a guy.

Kevin: Thanks.
Eric: Drive safely then.
Kevin: Yeah.

(Eric exits)

Kevin: Wow,he’s not such a bad guy.
Micky: Yeah.
Kevin: Well,this is it.It was great knowing you.
Micky: The place wont be the same without you.I’ll miss ya.

I knew I would miss Micky,but I couldn’t say the same of the resort.I’d be happy to never see the place again.

Kevin: Maybe I’ll drive back up at the end of summer,if you’re still here.

Of course it was a lie.But Micky didn’t need to know that.

Micky: Take care Arnold.


As we drove back home,Winnie and I realised where we belonged.Together.

(Winnie rests her head on Kevin’s shoulder as he drives)


At the point at sunset-Winnie and Kevin make out in his car.

The girl next door and I were destined to be together forever.Winnie Cooper,my first love,my only love.

Winnie: I don’t want it to end.
Kevin: I know.But it doesn’t have to Winnie.
Winnie: Promise me you’ll be with me forever

(Kevin kisses her nose)

Kevin: Only if you promise me.
Winnie: I promise

(they kiss)

And it was a promise we never broke


(Late at night.Kevin has just returned home.His father is sitting in the kitchen with Paul)

Jack: Its abit late isn’t it Kev,I called the resort hours ago.
Kevin: Hey,I’m home now aren’t I?
Jack: I know,and its good to have you back son.
Kevin: What are you doing here Paul,I thought you went away for the summer.
Paul: There was a change in plans.I decided not to go on the road trip with the guys.


My best friend Paul.He could’ve been having the time of his life on the road trip that summer,but here he was,in the Arnold kitchen.We’d spent many summers before in that kitchen together,while Mom made lemonade for us both.They were the good old days.And they were almost over.


Jack: I was thinking you could…I mean if you want to….you’ve still got a job at the furniture shop.

My Dad was trying to be nice,but I had quit,and it suited me.

Kevin: Thanks Dad,but no thanks.I’m sure I can get a job at the mall if I need to.
Jack: Sure you can.(smiles and gets up) I’ll leave you men to it. (Jack exits)
Kevin: So Paul,what are you doing here?
Paul: I came over because your Mom said you were on your way home.But that was hours ago.
Kevin: Yeah well,Winnie and I went out before I took her home.
Paul: Hows thing between you two?
Kevin: Great,couldn’t be better.(smiles)
Paul: I can’t believe how long you’ve been together.

Truth was,neither could I.We’d had our good times,and our bad,we’d split up,and we’d dated other people,but for some reason we always ended up back together.Perhaps we were just…

Paul: You’re perfect for each other.

And that was why Paul was my best friend.He always knew the right thing to say.

Kevin: Thanks Paul (smiles)
Paul: Hey,no problem (smiles)

Paul and I had been best friends since we were born,and nothing ever came between us.We liked all the same things,and we’d always lived in the same neighbourhood,It was hard to believe that in a few months,after graduation,we’d be in different states.

Paul: Don’t you think it seems like yesterday that we were starting junior high?
Kevin: Yeah.And now we’re going to be finished school forever soon.
Paul: Thanks for being a great friend all these years Kev.

It hit me at that moment that Paul was actually going away.And I was really going to miss him.

Kevin: I’ll always be your friend Paul.
Paul: No matter what?
Kevin: No matter what (smiles)

(Norma Arnold enters)

Norma: Kevin,honey,welcome home (smiles)
Kevin: Thanks Mom.

I was home.And for the first in a long time,It felt good.

____________________________________________________________________


(The following is part of the wonder years script of the final episode,with some minor alterations)

*THE 4TH OF JULY PARADE*

(Kevin’s arm is around Winnie as they watch the parade,with the rest of the Arnold family)


Winnie Cooper and I had the greatest summer of our teenage lives.It held the promise that there were many more great summers to follow.

That year’s 4th of July parade will always be a memory.We had plenty to celebrate.
In that small surburban town….was where I’d probably belong for many years to come,but only in spirit.My past would always be there,but my future was elsewhere.Where,I wasn’t sure,but I was sure of one thing,No matter where our lives took us,Winnie Cooper and I would never be apart.
In a world full of uncertainties,our love was something we knew was certain.And it was forever.

(Camera zooms in on Paul Pfeiffer)

Paul Pfeiffer.My best friend.For better,and for worse.We’d been through everything together.From our first day of junior high to the day of our graduation.He’d always have a special place in my heart,and we both knew our friendship would never die,no matter where life took us.But there comes a time for goodbye,and that time had come.

Paul went on to study Law at Harvard….And he’s still allergic to everything.

(Paul sneezes,and smiles)

(Camera zooms in on Karen Arnold,Kevin’s older sister)

Karen did alright.Blossomed into a beautiful woman,stayed happily married to a terrific fellow and began a family.

(Kevin pats Karen’s bulging belly and they smile)

Wayne: It’s Little Kevin.
Kevin: Yeah,Oh My Gosh (smiles)

(Camera zooms in on Wayne)

Wayne.My brother Wayne.Born a butthead,remained a butthead.But as much as I loved to hate him….he was my brother.

(Wayne ruffles Kevin’s hair)

Wayne stayed in the furniture business.It was good for him.He took over the factory two years later….when Dad passed away.

(Camera zooms in on Jack Arnold)

Dad and I patched things up.Heck,I loved the big guy and he loved me,and at sixteen years of age,I finally appreciated all that he did for me.He had his faults,but in my eyes Jack Arnold was my hero.

(Camera zooms in on Norma Arnold)

Then there was Mom.She did well.Businesswoman,board chairman,grandmother,cooker of mashed poatoes.

And there ya had it,the Arnold family.

(Camera cuts to a snapshot of a wedding portrait.It is Kevin and Winnie)

Then the day finally arrived.
Winnie and I were married.
My dream girl with the big brown eyes who would always be the girl next door to me,became Mrs Kevin Arnold.It was a summer’s day.She wore a white dress.It was picturesque.Just as I had dreamed it would be.
Winnie and I had kept our promise; to stay together forever.


(Back to the parade-Kevin cuddles Winnie against him)

My wife,went on to study art history in Paris,the summer after we married.2 years apart felt like an eternity.But me,and little Kevin Arnold junior got along just fine.Then the day finally arrived when my first son and I went to the airport to welcome the most important woman in both our lives,home.


(Shots of Kevins old neighbourhood,and his childhood home)

Some things never turn out exactly the way you planned.No.Sometimes they turn out better than you ever imagined.

(Flashback to episode 1,where a young Kevin and Winnie have their first kiss at Harper’s woods)

(Cut to the present,where Kevin and Winnie kiss)


(from the real Wonder Years finale script)

Growing up happens in a heartbeat.
One day you're in diapers; next day you're gone.
But the memories of childhood stay with you
For the long haul.
I remember a place...a town...a house
like a lot of other houses...
A yard like a lot of other yards...
On a street like a lot of other streets.
And the thing is...After all these years,
I still look back...with WONDER.

[Dr. Zeus]

I really enjoyed the alternate version of the show's final episode on what life would have been like if Kevin and Winnie were together forever to the end. Kevin and Winnie were made for each other, and they should have never split.

Winnie Cooper reminds me of my old childhood girlfriend whom I love so much. I haven't been the same since she left our hometown a little over ten years ago. I still live in hope that she will return and she and I will get back together someday.

Dr. Zeus

[Belair]

I'm really glad you liked it Dr Zeus.No one could understand how disappointed I was when the show ended how it did.Kevin Arnold and Winnie Cooper were meant to be together!

[jimbo913]

I didn't mind them not getting together at all. I mean, how often does one end up with their child hood sweetheart? Plus, who knows what happened down the road. Maybe they eventually decided to give it another go.

I was most saddened by what happened to Kevin's dad.

[Belair]

Originally Posted by jimbo913

I was most saddened by what happened to Kevin's dad.

Yeah,I always thought that was tragic.Jack Arnold was a hard working decent father,who got disrespected by his family.You got the impression that the rest of the Arnolds didn't really appreciate all he did for them.

[jimbo913]

I had the same feeling.

For some reason, Jack seems to remind me of my dad in some ways. Not exactly, but something similar. I guess I was just shocked about how quickly he passed away, and how relatively young he was.

BTW, excellent "ending", thanks for typing it all up.

[Belair]

No problem jimbo

I was REALLY shocked by Jack's death,it did seem sudden.I wonder why they killed a character off,maybe to show that Kevin's distant relationship with his father was something he'd later regret.

[danithang]

Fresh Princess of Belair, you weren't the only one who wanted them together. I was so upset that they didn't get together in the end, that I haven't really watched the show since. I loved your ending and think that's how it should have been. If I were Kevin's new wife, I'd be threatened by Kevin and Winnie's relationship, to me it didn't make sense that she would be at the airport with him waiting for his first love (or better yet his "true love"). I would have been content if they would have said while waiting for Winnie to come back, he may have tried a relationship with another woman and had kids with her (because in episodes he does mention he has kids) but it just didn't work out, then he would meet Winnie at the airport with his kids and NOT a wife. Cause even though Kevin has kids, he's not tied down to a wife, leaving us wondering if he and Winnie would have gotten together.

But on another note, I know a lot of people prefer not to have the happy ending with shows because it's not real life, but shows are for entertainment and if TPTB choose to invest in a couple and get the audience to fall in love with a couple, then they should give the public a happy ending. The whole point with tv shows and movies is for you to sorta escape real life and give you some kind of hope, especially when you don't have a lot of hope in your own life.

[blair]

That was a great fan fiction story!
It was definetly the ending I hoped for.

[Mikado]

I think the ending was very realistic, few people wind up with the love of their lives ( only the lucky ones do ), as for Jack dying relatively young, well, thats something that happens....the whole show was built around life taking many twists and turns, and i believe the ending of the show did that perfectly....but, I have to say, Belairs FF captured the "feel" of the show ( incl the voiceovers by "old Kevin" ) very nicely!

[James]

Great ending, Belair!

[Belair]

Thanks James! I enjoyed putting it together.

[jesse101]

I am selling my personal collection of the wonder years for $45.00. If interested, let me know and I will let you know the details. 115 Episodes on DVD

[starchild]

Yeah, this was the end the show deserved. Great Belair!!

[Dead Girl Superstar]

That's an awesome alternate ending. I too was disappointed with the show's finale, it just didn't seem right.