What Was the Best Era of "Wings"? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Adamantium · 02-19-2009, 12:47 AM

The Early Years - This contains seasons 1, 2 and 3 (episodes 1-50)
The Middle Years - This contains seasons 4 and 5 (episodes 51-96)
The Later Years - This contains seasons 6, 7 and 8 (episodes 97-172)

I choose the Middle Years. Of course I love the whole series, but I think it was at it's absolute best during seasons 4 and 5.

Yooch · 02-19-2009, 01:00 AM

As you have said, they're all good. One thing I do like about the earlier seasons is that they'd play the theme song at the beginning (one of the Shubert Sonatas). It added to the setting of the show for me somehow. In the later seasons, they kind of skipped/shortened the theme song--although the show itself was still great--Wings will always be one of my favorites

Chocoholic · 02-19-2009, 09:45 AM

I like the early and middle years, but I think the show was at its best from seasons 2 through 5. Season 6, while it still had many great moments, is when the show started to go downhill for me.

Helen Chapel · 02-21-2009, 04:32 PM

I think seasons 2-4 were the best, with season 3 being the pinnacle. There were just so many great ensemble episodes in that season such as Try to Remember the Night He Dismembered, This Old House, Crate Expectations, Das Plane, As Fate Would Have It.

I think the shift in tone started at season five, which wasn't bad per say, seasons five and six have their moments and good episodes but there is just something about the tone that is.... different. I think it's even more apparent in season 6 with what they did with Brian and Joe's characters by making Joe more bitter and Brian less sarcastic and more whiny.

TreeTrout · 03-01-2009, 02:01 PM

If you'd tossed Season 3 into the "middle years" mix I'd say that's a definite, though I'm with Yooch on missing Schubert's Sonata #20 when they switched to the cold open. I play that on the piano today because of hearing it on Wings almost 20 years ago.

The cold open was hipper, and in keeping with the new trend of the time (though it took shows like ER forever to catch up), but that little flight around Nantucket backed by that pretty piece really added to the charm. (And made me want to visit the place. Still haven't.) The wheels hitting the ground right after that sharp note -- always loved that!

Ant-Lox · 05-09-2009, 11:59 AM

The early years are still my favorites. The show was slower, and more down to earth.

I like the cold open, but after Season 4, The episodes become hit and miss for me.

Craig B · 06-03-2009, 05:11 AM

Funny you all mention the opening. I am the opposite. When they changed to the short opening, for a weird reason THAT is what really made me fall in love with the show. It WAS hipper, but to this day when I turn on a TiVo'd episode and hear that short opener, I get all fired up and am of the feeling that "all is well in the world".

I voted for the middle years, like most. The actors became more confident, the characters finally settled into their groove, and just knowing the show was popular the overall production seemed much better.

TV DVD Fan · 06-14-2009, 09:19 PM

For me, Wings is one of those few series that truly had a different feel each season. Most shows, like Cheers, will only have one or two eras: everything will basically stay the same with each passing season (Cheers' two eras were the "Diane" years and the "Rebecca" years). Shows like "The Golden Girls", it was so consistent you could never tell what season the episode was from unless you were a diehard or had an episode guide in front of you. In a way, that's a good thing. In the case of Wings, I think the show was at its best in the "early" years--- season two probably being the best of them all. Season One was very campy and relied on light comedy as well having hints of romance brewing. That made the show's first six episodes very fun and definitely relied on the ensemble to make it WORK. Season Two was where Joe and Helen's relationship started and Tim Daly and Crystal Bernard really became the show's stars. Steven Weber was used for what he did best: sarcastic comedy, which I thought was simply hilarious. The ensemble played a lesser role in season two though Roy, Fay and Lowell all had their moments to shine. Season Three was another solid effort with lots of great episodes, especially Kelsey Grammer's cross-over from Cheers. But, for me, the whole balance started to shift for me midway through the season when Antonio's character was introduced. Although Tony Shalhoub had his moments on the show, I just don't think his Antonio character was necessary. He made me laugh sometimes, but more often than not, the character would just make me cringe--- alot of the jokes the writers put in for him were very corny and just... unfunny. Also, this is where Joe and Helen started to fade into the background and become part of the "ensemble" again. Brian and the gang started to play larger parts. And then in season four, the show practically became all about Joe and Brian's mutual pursuit of Alex. Some of this was fun, but a little bit of the rivalry went a long way. I always liked the Alex character and felt she should have been used as more than just a mere plot device. Season Five was another "eh" kind of season, but I enjoyed watching all of the Joe/Helen sexual tension coming back. And then seasons six and seven, I'm sorry... the show just completely lost its spirit and struggled to re-find it the whole way through. Joe and Helen's marriage storyline was interesting but not as intriguing as it could've been. I haven't seen season eight in a while but I really enjoyed the finale. Still, I think the early years were the best.

ratner43 · 08-01-2013, 03:57 PM

I thought the first 3 seasons and the last 3 seasons were the best, mainly because they feel the freshest. I'm one of the few who thought Lowell ran his course in the show, unless they were willing to add something new to him then be a one liner character.

I feel they really were firing on a cylinders in the last season, especially how funny they made Antonio and Casey. I love the early seasons for how they establish everyone so well.

Steelpinkdaisy · 07-07-2014, 09:31 PM

I wasn't a fan when Alex (Farrah Forke) was on. Something about her character rubbed me the wrong way.

crisart · 09-09-2014, 12:21 PM

I agreed to someone who said every season of Wings have different tone and that made the show great. Season 2 Wings started flying high. This show has the best writing and the cast were phenomenal. Very likeable even the obnoxious Roy.

gopyle · 01-01-2016, 06:02 PM

I really like the series as a whole. I never saw it during its network run, but soon after it ended there and repeats were shown daily, I became a fan. I would say I like the middle era the best, but there were very few bad episodes in any of the eras. I think the show lost something when Lowell was no longer on, but it was still good right to the end.

Crusinforabrusin · 01-01-2016, 07:12 PM

As a hardcore fan of the show, id have to say all episodes were enjoyable or at the least, mildly entertaining. So my favorite era is all of them!

crisart · 01-05-2016, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Family Matters

As a hardcore fan of the show, id have to say all episodes were enjoyable or at the least, mildly entertaining. So my favorite era is all of them!

Agree with you but I would say the Ann Margret ep was one of the early ep that caught my attention of this hilarious show. From then on I got hooked and learned to love all the characters great interaction of these wonderful cast.

OH Nuts! · 01-05-2016, 12:35 PM

I recently became smitten with the show when I saw 5 WINGS Xmas eps on Antenna 12/26 a.m. Right now I plan to go through the entire series; just finished S1& S2, and watched the first 3 eps of S3 this morning.

While it's to early to say how I feel about each era, it's hard for me to imagine disliking any of them. 80% of the eps I've watched so far I've loved.

How I could have missed this utterly charming and well-written show when it originally aired I'll never know. (Perhaps I have A bit of Lowell in me LOL)

View Poll Results: Which Era of 'Wings' is the Best?
The Early Years	3	20.00%
The Middle Years	9	60.00%
The Later Years	3	20.00%
Voters: 15. You may not vote on this poll

02-19-2009, 12:47 AM	#1
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,820	What Was the Best Era of "Wings"? The Early Years - This contains seasons 1, 2 and 3 (episodes 1-50) The Middle Years - This contains seasons 4 and 5 (episodes 51-96) The Later Years - This contains seasons 6, 7 and 8 (episodes 97-172) I choose the Middle Years. Of course I love the whole series, but I think it was at it's absolute best during seasons 4 and 5.

03-01-2009, 02:01 PM	#5
TreeTrout Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Apr 15, 2004 Location: DC Posts: 43	If you'd tossed Season 3 into the "middle years" mix I'd say that's a definite, though I'm with Yooch on missing Schubert's Sonata #20 when they switched to the cold open. I play that on the piano today because of hearing it on Wings almost 20 years ago. The cold open was hipper, and in keeping with the new trend of the time (though it took shows like ER forever to catch up), but that little flight around Nantucket backed by that pretty piece really added to the charm. (And made me want to visit the place. Still haven't.) The wheels hitting the ground right after that sharp note -- always loved that!
	__________________ --kim

05-09-2009, 11:59 AM	#6
Ant-Lox Cloud Watcher Senior Member Join Date: Feb 18, 2004 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 1,824	The early years are still my favorites. The show was slower, and more down to earth. I like the cold open, but after Season 4, The episodes become hit and miss for me.
	__________________ Currently Watching: Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee Sports Allegiances Philadelphia 76ers Philadelphia Flyers Philadelphia Phillies Philadelphia Eagles Detroit Red Wings New York Football Giants

06-14-2009, 09:19 PM	#8
TV DVD Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 07, 2005 Posts: 2,602	For me, Wings is one of those few series that truly had a different feel each season. Most shows, like Cheers, will only have one or two eras: everything will basically stay the same with each passing season (Cheers' two eras were the "Diane" years and the "Rebecca" years). Shows like "The Golden Girls", it was so consistent you could never tell what season the episode was from unless you were a diehard or had an episode guide in front of you. In a way, that's a good thing. In the case of Wings, I think the show was at its best in the "early" years--- season two probably being the best of them all. Season One was very campy and relied on light comedy as well having hints of romance brewing. That made the show's first six episodes very fun and definitely relied on the ensemble to make it WORK. Season Two was where Joe and Helen's relationship started and Tim Daly and Crystal Bernard really became the show's stars. Steven Weber was used for what he did best: sarcastic comedy, which I thought was simply hilarious. The ensemble played a lesser role in season two though Roy, Fay and Lowell all had their moments to shine. Season Three was another solid effort with lots of great episodes, especially Kelsey Grammer's cross-over from Cheers. But, for me, the whole balance started to shift for me midway through the season when Antonio's character was introduced. Although Tony Shalhoub had his moments on the show, I just don't think his Antonio character was necessary. He made me laugh sometimes, but more often than not, the character would just make me cringe--- alot of the jokes the writers put in for him were very corny and just... unfunny. Also, this is where Joe and Helen started to fade into the background and become part of the "ensemble" again. Brian and the gang started to play larger parts. And then in season four, the show practically became all about Joe and Brian's mutual pursuit of Alex. Some of this was fun, but a little bit of the rivalry went a long way. I always liked the Alex character and felt she should have been used as more than just a mere plot device. Season Five was another "eh" kind of season, but I enjoyed watching all of the Joe/Helen sexual tension coming back. And then seasons six and seven, I'm sorry... the show just completely lost its spirit and struggled to re-find it the whole way through. Joe and Helen's marriage storyline was interesting but not as intriguing as it could've been. I haven't seen season eight in a while but I really enjoyed the finale. Still, I think the early years were the best.
	__________________ Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles Sarah Connor: Maybe if you spend your life hiding who you are, you might finally end up fooling yourself. - From the episode "Gnothi Seauton."

02-19-2009, 01:00 AM	#2
Yooch Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 07, 2006 Location: California Posts: 3,181	As you have said, they're all good. One thing I do like about the earlier seasons is that they'd play the theme song at the beginning (one of the Shubert Sonatas). It added to the setting of the show for me somehow. In the later seasons, they kind of skipped/shortened the theme song--although the show itself was still great--Wings will always be one of my favorites
	__________________ "The true meaning of America, you ask? It's in a Texas rodeo, in a policeman's badge, in the sound of laughing children, in a political rally, in a newspaper...In all these things and many more, you'll find freedom. And freedom is what America means to the world. And to me." --Audie Leon Murphy June 20, 1924-- May 28, 1971

02-19-2009, 09:45 AM	#3
Chocoholic Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 11,235	I like the early and middle years, but I think the show was at its best from seasons 2 through 5. Season 6, while it still had many great moments, is when the show started to go downhill for me.

02-21-2009, 04:32 PM	#4
Helen Chapel Wings fan Occasional Poster Join Date: Apr 20, 2003 Location: USA Posts: 73	I think seasons 2-4 were the best, with season 3 being the pinnacle. There were just so many great ensemble episodes in that season such as Try to Remember the Night He Dismembered, This Old House, Crate Expectations, Das Plane, As Fate Would Have It. I think the shift in tone started at season five, which wasn't bad per say, seasons five and six have their moments and good episodes but there is just something about the tone that is.... different. I think it's even more apparent in season 6 with what they did with Brian and Joe's characters by making Joe more bitter and Brian less sarcastic and more whiny.

06-03-2009, 05:11 AM	#7
Craig B Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Dec 11, 2008 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 42	Funny you all mention the opening. I am the opposite. When they changed to the short opening, for a weird reason THAT is what really made me fall in love with the show. It WAS hipper, but to this day when I turn on a TiVo'd episode and hear that short opener, I get all fired up and am of the feeling that "all is well in the world". I voted for the middle years, like most. The actors became more confident, the characters finally settled into their groove, and just knowing the show was popular the overall production seemed much better.

08-01-2013, 03:57 PM	#9
ratner43 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jul 01, 2013 Posts: 16	I thought the first 3 seasons and the last 3 seasons were the best, mainly because they feel the freshest. I'm one of the few who thought Lowell ran his course in the show, unless they were willing to add something new to him then be a one liner character. I feel they really were firing on a cylinders in the last season, especially how funny they made Antonio and Casey. I love the early seasons for how they establish everyone so well.

07-07-2014, 09:31 PM	#10
Steelpinkdaisy Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jul 06, 2014 Location: Gainesville , Florida Posts: 9	I wasn't a fan when Alex (Farrah Forke) was on. Something about her character rubbed me the wrong way.

09-09-2014, 12:21 PM	#11
crisart Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Sep 05, 2014 Location: PA Posts: 10	I agreed to someone who said every season of Wings have different tone and that made the show great. Season 2 Wings started flying high. This show has the best writing and the cast were phenomenal. Very likeable even the obnoxious Roy.

01-01-2016, 06:02 PM	#12
gopyle Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 22, 2011 Posts: 235	I really like the series as a whole. I never saw it during its network run, but soon after it ended there and repeats were shown daily, I became a fan. I would say I like the middle era the best, but there were very few bad episodes in any of the eras. I think the show lost something when Lowell was no longer on, but it was still good right to the end.

01-01-2016, 07:12 PM	#13
Crusinforabrusin It's time to move on, Goodbye Senior Member Join Date: Dec 27, 2015 Posts: 2,056	As a hardcore fan of the show, id have to say all episodes were enjoyable or at the least, mildly entertaining. So my favorite era is all of them!

01-05-2016, 12:35 PM	#15
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	I recently became smitten with the show when I saw 5 WINGS Xmas eps on Antenna 12/26 a.m. Right now I plan to go through the entire series; just finished S1& S2, and watched the first 3 eps of S3 this morning. While it's to early to say how I feel about each era, it's hard for me to imagine disliking any of them. 80% of the eps I've watched so far I've loved. How I could have missed this utterly charming and well-written show when it originally aired I'll never know. (Perhaps I have A bit of Lowell in me LOL)