The Wonder Years (2021) s01e22 Episode Script

The start of summer in the South is always a time of new beginnings.
For some, that means less clothes.
For others, that means more work.
But this summer, it means less mama for everybody.
She had just gotten a big promotion that meant she'd be away for a few weeks over the summer.
She was actually excited she was going to be working more.
Well, did you want me to put them in order chronologically or based on food type? I want to be able to eat without having to brush up on algebra.
This way, you'll have everything you need while I'm gone.
I mean, Bruce can take care of himself, and only thing Kim needs is a purse and a phone, - but Dean - When I was his age, my parents forgot they had me for two months, and I was fine.
The toaster's stuck.
Should I use a knife? No.
Okay, I will look after him.
I'm more concerned about you out on those roads to Birmingham.
How many miles on the station wagon now? Getting close to 100,000.
We may need to look into a new car that can handle all those miles.
Really? To be clear, when I said "new car," I meant "new used car.
" You know, new for you.
Mama wasn't the only one enjoying a new beginning.
Keisa had a new boyfriend that turned out to be pretty nice.
So I wasn't losing the potential love of my life as much as I was gaining a new friend.
Yeah, that's that that's an even trade.
Dean, it's your turn.
Broderick, for his part, - got to have a gorgeous girlfriend - Double fives! - that solidified his coolness - Watch out for this one.
- He's good.
- while also getting a new friend he could be his geeky self with in a way he couldn't with his cool friends.
Yep, symbiosis at its finest.
You're saying you actually like being the third wheel? Well, we all benefit something from it.
Here, let me explain.
- It - Don't say "symbiosis.
" That's weird, too.
Well, call it weird if you want, but all I know is, it's kind of a relief not to be worrying about Keisa and what she thinks of me all the time now.
Summer's gonna be great.
- I saw that! - Of course, to get to summer, you had to get through the last week of school.
But everyone knew that was just a formality.
There were no tests, no homework, no attempts at discipline.
Even the bullies were phoning it in.
The high point of the last week was getting and signing our yearbooks.
Guys, there's one of all of us.
We were the first Black kids in the school.
Clearly the photographer hadn't figured out how to light Black skin yet.
And guess what he never did.
Hey, Dean.
You haven't signed my yearbook yet.
So I saved you a spot right next to Broderick.
Oh, cool.
There you go.
See you, guys.
What? Not only did you just write the longest note in history, you signed it "Love you, Dean.
" - No, I didn't.
- Uh, yeah, you did.
- Did I? - I was so caught up in my poetic genius, I didn't even realize I had accidentally confessed my love to Keisa.
She probably didn't even notice, anyway.
I saw a whole bunch of people write that.
Yeah.
Girls do that to other girls.
You only say "love" to your mom or wife.
And your dad when he's about to die.
So, oh, wise Dean, what do you think Keisa's gonna think of that? Or your new best friend Broderick? If Broderick or Keisa still thinks I like her, then it could ruin our delicate symbio - Ah! - Balance.
Our balanced, three-way relationship.
Quick, Norman, give me your yearbook.
- What are you doing? - If I write "love you" in everyone's yearbooks, then it's just Dean being Dean.
Then I can say it's my "thing.
" Hey, Stephanie, love ya.
Tyler, love ya, too.
Hey, Coach, love ya.
I'll see you in detention.
I'm a genius.
You haven't said that in three days.
I was starting to worry.
I got Broderick's yearbook first, so now I'm just gonna sign "Love, Dean" in it.
Then it'll feel the same as how I wrote in Keisa's.
- Problem solved.
- You know what? In that ridiculous little third-wheel relationship you got going on, that actually makes sense.
Not only was I solving my problem, I also found myself putting in words how much my friendship with Broderick actually meant to me.
I mean, it wasn't at "Me and Cory" level, but he'd definitely jumped to the top of my "If Anything Happens to Cory" list.
"Love, Dean.
" My best work yet.
Thanks for signing my yearbook.
Here's yours.
See ya, Dean.
Uh-oh, something ain't right.
Just "Broderick"? Is that good? Is it bad? What the hell, man? Well, I gotta say this is good news, real good.
I can't believe it.
Hey, Mama, can you sign up for snacks for the class party instead of Daddy? - He always buys the cheap stuff - Well, all right.
- and I can't be that kid.
- Uh-huh.
Shhhh! Your father is on the phone - with Marvin Gaye's manager.
- Yeah.
Thanks, yes.
Well, I look forward to meeting you, too.
Did I just hear you say Marvin Gaye? Is that Marvin Gaye with an "e" or without the "e"? - With the "e.
" - Oh! His manager heard one of my songs and loved it.
He wants me to slide me into his songwriting stable.
- Oh! - Could possibly help Marvin - create his next hit.
- Oh, my God, Bill, that is just Oh! - What's happening? - Guess who Daddy's working with.
Ain't no mountain high enough to keep me from finding out.
- Oh! - Girl! So when do I get to meet Marvin Gaye? Be cool.
And first, they want me to head to New York for the summer, make some connections.
Wait, New York? In fact, he said he wants me up there next week.
Perfect timing.
Um, are you forgetting about something? Birmingham.
I'm supposed to be there all next week as a part of my promotion.
And a bunch of weeks over the summer.
Who's gonna take care of things around here? Lil, we're talking about Marvin Gaye.
You know I've been waiting on this kind of break since we met.
And this promotion isn't something I've been waiting for? Look, I I understand, and I'm sorry.
I wish there was a way to make both of our opportunities work.
But writing for Marvin Gaye is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
You'll get another promotion.
I'll figure out the snacks later.
Mm, mm-mm-mm.
Good morning, sweetie.
Don't worry about the bus.
I'll take you once I finish these brownies for your class party.
Girl, I was hotter than fish grease.
We didn't speak the whole night, and here he come this morning with his ol' "You okay, baby?" Who's that? Daddy? - Ooh! - But maybe he's right.
Maybe I need to turn down this promotion and support my husband and family.
Lillian, if Cliff would've got this opportunity, he wouldn't even included me in the discussion.
He just would've told me he made the final decision and then tell me how much money I could spend.
Oh, Viv.
Oh, no, I'm not complaining.
It's the system we have.
I like it.
I agreed to it.
But what I'm saying is when I do feel some type of way about it, I like to look at you.
- Really? - Oh, girl, please.
Now, don't be acting like you ain't the Miss Boss Lady clacking and clacking around here with your work outfits and your lunch breaks and your typewriter, using your white girl voice.
"Alabama State Treasury Department.
" I've heard her use that voice before.
Now, listen, you deserve to go as far as the Good Lord will let you.
And I'm-a keep watching.
Oh, no, Lil, you know you're wrong to send him to school all hopped up on that sugar like that.
That's his teacher's problem, not mine.
Just in time.
And grab a hose and get to rinsing.
Mnh-mnh.
Don't.
Did you just get my hair wet?! Dean, get on your bike and ride away! Kim, put the shoe back on! - Now, Dean! - Yeah.
Excuse me.
- Whose car is that? - It's mine.
I went and traded my old car in and got this one fresh off the lot.
You did what? You know we don't make purchases like that - without discussing it first.
- Oh.
I didn't think we discussed things anymore before making final decisions.
Like you did about going to New York.
Dean, you get my hair wet with that hose, and you gonna wish you didn't.
Get out, I'm using the bathroom.
You're not using the bathroom, you're brushing your teeth.
This isn't about the car and you know it! Bill, I'm not getting into this.
Well, we gotta figure something out.
Why don't you figure it out this time? Like I figured out what to do when I got into Michigan for my master's, but chose to go to A&M because you wanted to stay in Alabama.
Why are you bringing that stuff up now? Why aren't you bringing it up? Hey! Sorry, but you kinda had it coming.
Ugh.
They're mad at me.
I know it.
I guess your new friend over there knows that you still got a Jones for his girl.
Man, he was right.
Maybe it was crazy to think I could be friends with both Broderick and Keisa in the first place.
Hey, uh, who wants cake? - Me! - Me! Things were weird between Mama and Daddy at home and still weird between me, Keisa, and Broderick at school.
And I felt like both situations were because of me.
We need to talk.
Uh, well, uh, - uh - Dean? It's fixing to storm something awful.
Will you run to the utility room and get a table? We're gonna bring all these refreshments inside.
- Yes, ma'am.
- Uh, you'll need some help.
I'll go with you.
Ah, th-there's a table right there.
Uh, I'll grab one end, y-you grab the other.
Here, let's go.
That's the tornado warning.
'Kay, uh We should just stay here.
Uh 'Kay.
One Mississippi, two Mississippi, three It's really close.
Can I talk to you about the yearbooks? On second thought, uh, I got my running shoes on.
I think I'm-a just run to the main building.
Dean, don't be stupid.
I'm sorry I haven't signed your yearbook yet.
It's just I don't know how to tell you my parents are sending me to Oklahoma for the summer.
Wait.
What? Broderick is really upset.
I mean, I know he's gonna get a new girlfriend while I'm gone.
After all, he's in high school next year.
I thought you guys were mad at me.
Why would we be mad at you? 'Cause of what I wrote in your yearbook.
You know, the "Love you.
" All my friends said that it's weird that I'm friends with you and Broderick, and I thought it would be weirder if I put "Love you" in it.
They're right.
It would be weird if they did it.
But not you.
Why's that? 'Cause most boys aren't as sweet as you, Dean.
Unless "Love you" meant "I love you.
" Like "Love" love.
Ah, yeah.
Love "love.
" I mean, yuck.
You know, this is gonna be the first summer we're not together.
Wow.
You're right.
I was spending so much time worrying about Broderick I can't imagine not seeing you for that long either.
One Mississippi, two Mississippi.
We had every reason to be scared.
But something about that moment, in spite of all the storms outside that room, made me feel oddly safe.
What if it was "Love" love? Attention, teachers and students, the tornado warning has passed.
Please return to your classrooms.
As we returned to our friends and classmates, everyone was relieved the storm was over.
But me and Keisa knew that kiss turned things upside down more than a tornado ever could.
There you are! I was wondering where you were.
W-W-Why were you wondering that? W-We weren't doing anything.
Relax.
We had to take shelter in the utility room.
Oh, okay.
I'm glad you two are all right.
We still didn't do anything.
Always with the jokes.
I finally got the chance to read what you wrote in my yearbook.
Oh, uh, y-you can forget that.
Can I see yours again? I-I want to add something.
In my guilty state, I imagined him writing how much he truly appreciated me and how he was glad we became friends.
I didn't think there was anything that could have made me feel any lower.
- - Huh, I was wrong.
Want to get ice cream sodas after school? - Okay.
- See you later, Dean.
After you've been through a few tornado seasons in the South, you learn that no matter how big the storm, life still goes on.
That meant me and Daddy still had to get our "start of summer" haircuts after the last day of school.
Now, now, now, this one wasn't nothing.
Y'all remember the twister that came through in '37? That bad boy was a mile wide.
Pulled my daddy's mulberry tree straight out the ground.
Please, my friend Cooper came home house gone.
But Daddy and I weren't in the mood for jokes.
Uh, what's the matter? Cat got your tongue? Well, now, maybe he's upset because his mama went behind his daddy's back and bought her own vehicle.
- Dad, I told you that in confidence.
- What? You're like a bad refrigerator.
- Can't keep nothing.
- Now, if you ask me, first mistake was letting her learn to drive.
So she bought a car with your money? Seems like that should be illegal.
Our money.
What was that? Please, please, s-s-say it again a little louder.
- Our money! - Ah, now, s-see, that's the mistake, right there.
Next thing you know, the man will be staying at home with the kids, and the wife will be working.
Maybe we should just surrender to the commies if that happens.
Better learn how to say "collard greens" and "sweet potatoes" in Russian.
There shol' is a lot of talk about "man's work" from cats who got three hours to sit in a barbershop in the middle of the day.
And he lets her write checks.
- Hey! - What! - No! - Oh, no Mama, it'll be okay.
At least you weren't hurt in the storm.
You're right.
Count our blessings.
It'll never be the same.
We need to talk.
If this is about my work, then I've said my piece.
- It's your turn to handle it.
- I did.
I came up with a solution that'll make us both happy.
Okay.
Let's hear it.
You'll spend the summer going back and forth to Birmingham, like you planned.
I'll spend the summer in New York, and - Dean's coming with me.
- Wait, what? Why does Dean get to go to New York? I'm the one who looks like this.
Y'all hush.
We just spent 20 minutes in the car together, and he couldn't give me a heads up? Bill, are you sure about this? Absolutely.
I don't want to be the kind of husband that doesn't support his wife's dreams.
So I thought about what my father would do and decided to do the opposite.
Mama was overwhelmed by what Daddy had done.
He bucked society's norms for the woman he loved.
Then she turned on a dime.
Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.
Where's Dean gonna live? What's he gonna do while you're working? What's he gonna eat? I think they have food in New York, Lillian.
Dean Williams, you listen to me.
Don't you go anywhere without your father.
There's a lot of traffic in New York City, so make sure you look both ways before you cross the street.
You know what? Just don't even cross the street.
Just stay on whatever street you're on and make all lefts.
Oh, my baby.
- Hey.
- Hey.
Um just wanted to tell you that I'll be going to New York with my dad, so I'll also be gone all summer.
That's cool.
Sounds more fun than Oklahoma.
Um, I also wanted to talk to you about yesterday.
Um You know, in the utility room.
Keisa, get in the car! We gotta hurry up before traffic gets bad.
Yes, sir.
Guess I gotta go.
Guess I'll see you in September.
Boy, get out of the way! Almost forgot to give you this back.
All right.
Aren't you gonna miss me? Miss sharing a bathroom? Not a chance.
But I will miss watching Andy Griffith with you.
He's gonna be okay, Lillian.
I'll bring him back in one piece.
These aren't for Dean.
You just focus on your promotion.
Okay.
We'll call when we stop overnight.
Be careful.
Don't worry.
I promised my dad I'd bring it.
I think he wrote half of it.
- Love you, baby.
- I love you.
I love you.
Will you put some clothes on? Be cool now.
In just one week, my perfect summer had turned into a series of question marks.
What's going on with me and Keisa? Will I ever be able to look Broderick in the eye again? Maybe I would figure it all out in New York.
I'd have plenty of time, since I'm not allowed to cross the street.
I-I gotta use the bathroom.
Too late.
We already left.
- B-But the house is right there.
- Nope.
But But you could've stopped by now.
We're gonna make good time to New York.
Don't worry.