The Wonder Years s06e05 Episode Script

I'm a lot more - less interested in my prestige, than I am in the future of this country.
We're going to give Richard Nixon the retirement he so richly deserves.
Every four years, our country is gripped by a case of temporary insanity.
We call itThe presidential election.
It's democracy defined.
A chance for politicians who know better To make promises they can't keep.
And come November It's a chance for us to believe them.
In Richard Milhouse Nixonyou have a man Who has devoted his lifetimeto an exemplary and spotless record Of selfless serviceto the American people.
The nineteen-seventy-two campaign was no exception.
That Fall was a time of excitement.
Reflection.
A time of passion.
- That made America great.
A time to examine the issues.
- KevinPay attention.
- Sorry.
Can't take him anywhere.
So thatyou young peoplecan continue to enjoy the benefits of living in the greatest country on Earth! But above allIt was a time of debate.
Endless debate.
Thank you.
Thank you, Mr.
Leegee.
And nowwith an opposing viewpointthe McKinley student council is pleased to welcome Mr.
Michael Detweiler Head of the Tri-counties Citizens for McGovern office.
Mr.
Detweiler - Great.
- Another speech Face it.
For those of us who hadn't turned eighteen yet There was only one way to describe this charade.
Politics is a lot of crap! Anyone who stands up here talking to you about your futureUsing words like "moral values", and "law-and-order"is just shovelling that crap.
I'm afraidI have to take issue with that statement.
Like I said And you guys just can't sit here andListen to itbecause it's your generation that they're shovelling it on.
It's you guys that'll inherit the planet they've polluted.
It's you guys that're gonna get sent home in body-bags from their war.
But it's also you guys that can help elect Senator McGovernbecause he's the one guy I know, who will cutthe crap.
Maybe it was because he spoke about issues that involved us.
Or, maybe it was just the first time someone used the word "crap" in McKinley auditorium In any event There was something about that speech that grabbed us.
Got us thinking.
Wondering.
Made us see politics in a way that we couldn't help but respect.
The guy probably gets the chicksLike crazy.
Well, look at that.
They're all over him.
You had to admitThe guy had charisma.
The guy had charmThe guy had my girlfriend practically Drooling all over him.
- Why, you think it's a lost cause? - Well, no, I Some of the greatest victories in politics have come out of lost causes.
Maybe it was time to interrupt this little caucus.
- Winnie? - Oh, hi, Kevin.
This is Mike.
- Hey.
Mike Detweiler.
- Kevin Arnold.
So, uhwhat did you think of the debate? I tried to restrain myself.
- Wellit was, uhinteresting.
"Interesting"? I thought it was wonderful.
Yeah? Think I'll have to agree with Kevin, here - I was gettin' pretty bored of listening to myself talk, too.
Well, uhit was really good meeting you.
But, we gotta go.
- Mike was saying he could really use our help in the election.
- You bet.
What do you say? Us? ListenJust because you're not old enough to vote That doesn't mean you can't help.
Why don't you come down to headquarters sometimecheck it out? Hey - you might even enjoy it.
Cold pizza, warm soda.
All the, uhenvelopes you can stuff.
- Yeah, well, uhwe'll think about it.
- Great.
I hope I see you there.
Yeah, I'd think about it.
For about a minute and a half.
- WinnieYou coming? - Oh.
Sure.
Or maybe I wouldn't think about it at all.
We've spent a hundred and fifty billionon Vietnam alone.
Unfortunately, in nineteen-seventy-two, that was hard to do.
People seemed to breathe, sleep, and eatpolitics.
My family included.
My father, for example Weighed all the arguments And summed it up in one word.
Hnnnn Ya knowMost of the kids I run into at the college are gonna vote for McGovern.
And, I like his stand on women's rights.
He really respects the new position that women are achieving in society.
My mother, on the other hand Had a more personal view.
Then there was my brother, representing The great, unwashed, masses.
What are you talking about? I'm not old enough to vote.
- Great.
Then I'llsell ya mine, for five bucks.
- Pass the gravy, Nimrod.
And there we were.
All in all A kind of a cross-section of America.
Each of us withTotally different interests.
But all of usinterested.
- You did what?! Wellall but one of us.
- I signed us up to be volunteers.
- You did? He really needs us, Kevin.
- Who, McGovern? - No.
Mike Detweiler.
And on the national frontToday's Gallup poll Shows the president with an impressive twenty-eight point lead.
Pollers across the country are showing You see? It's important for us to get involved.
W- fine then.
Let's get involved.
But I guessWhen it came to politics and humor - WinnieDo we really have to do this? - Yes.
I had a lot to learn.
- Well, here we are! - Great.
And so I agreed to throw my hat into the ring.
Not that I really had a choice in the matter.
Still, I kept telling myself this might not be so bad.
In fact, I might actually learn something, here.
After all, this was my chance to rub noses with people who cared.
People like, say - Hey! Winnie! - Hey, Mike! - Hey, Kevin.
- MikeThese finally came in from the printer.
I'll, uh, I'll put 'em in the back store room.
- Thanks, Peg.
- Uh-huh Peggy Kimball.
She's, uh Been my right hand in this campaign.
So, KevinI'm glad you decided to join us.
- Yeah, wellI just thought I'd - You're doing it for Winnie, right? Hey, whatever brings you in, it's cool.
Everybody's got their reasons.
That guy's hereBecause he wants pot legalized.
He doesn't give a damn about Cuts in Medicare, which is whyShe's here.
And neither of them couldCare less about subsidized housing Which is whyShe's here.
Winnie's here 'cause she lost her brother You're here because of WinnieThe only thing that really counts, is That together, we're all doin' everything we can to elect the one person that cares about all these things.
See what I mean? Oh.
And with thatThere was nothing more to say, except Vote for McGovern! Take one.
Please! Vote for McGovern.
- No, thanks.
- Vote for McGovern! - Vote for McGovernhe really wants to make a difference! - VoteVote for - That was great.
.
I almost got the whole thing out that time.
- Nobody said it was gonna be easy, Kevin.
Excuse me.
Ma'am! Oh.
I thought it was a coupon.
Still, after two hours of passing out leaflets One thing seemed clear Look, WinnieThis is a total waste of time.
I'm not going to stand out here and make a fool of myself.
No one's paying any attentionno one cares! Then we have to make them care! Right Vote for McGovern! Vote for McGovern - he really wants to make a difference! Face it! My sweet innocent girlfriend was fighting a losing battle, here.
Wait! This election may not seem important to you now, but what about your children? It's their generation that's gonna have to deal with all this stuffif somebody doesn't start changing things now! Senator McGovern wants to stop the war.
He wants to stop poverty.
He wants to stop pollution.
He cares about people.
People like us.
He needs your vote.
- I'll take one of those.
- Let me take one of those.
- Hey, thanks.
- Can I have one, next? It was like finding out you were dating Joan of Arc.
I am really proud of you.
Well, I just said what you told us.
Then againYou had to wonder how Joan of Arc's boyfriend felt about it.
You're a good campaigner, Winnie Cooper.
You're a natural.
- WellKevin helped, too.
- Oh, sure! Good job, Kev.
Yeah.
Keep the change.
- Keep up the good work, Winnie.
- Thanks.
OK - let's get movin'! Not that I begrudged her her moment of glory.
You know, uhWinnieI'm really proud of you too.
Huh? OKEnough was enough.
So You want to go out and get a burger, or somethin'? Uh, sure.
I just have toGo ask Mike something about tomorrow.
Maybe it was the wayHe looked at her.
Maybe it was the way she looked at him.
But suddenlyI realized something about this campaign.
Maybe the names on the ballots were Nixon and McGovern But what we had herewas a three-man race.
It would be the most immoral thing I could think ofis to give amnesty to draft-dodgers We gotta set a deadline for ending this war As the campaign moved in to its final week Tensions began to rise.
There was a lot at stake, here.
The future.
The country.
My girlfriend OK.
People - listen up.
Listen up! OK! UhI know you're tired.
I know you think you've given it everything you've got.
I know you think you don't have anything left.
And I know you can do it.
- We're with ya, Mike! - Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Keep up the good work! And in the midst of it all was Mike Detweiler.
Mr.
Charisma.
Mr.
Politico.
Mr.
Snake-My-Date.
It was clear I was in the raceOf my life, here.
My opponent was ahead.
And I had to do something to close that gap.
- Here ya go.
- Thanks.
You know, Winnie We've been working here non-stop for the last three weeks.
Ya know, why don't wetake off early tonight and do something? There's a lot of stuff going on - Yeah, I know, butmaybe we can just spend some time togetherjust you and me.
- Maybe you're right.
- Great.
- Winnie! Got a second? - Yeah, what's up? Listen, uhCould you stay a little late, this evening? UhActually, uhWe're kinda busy tonight.
OhSure.
I understand.
Heh-heh.
Take that, buddy.
I- it's justThat we're having a meeting of the core group tonight, and With all the work you've been doin'I, II thought you realy should be part of it.
Yeah, well, that's great.
But like I said What do ya say, Winnie? WellIf you really need me Course I need you.
You're my right-hand guy.
OK.
I couldn't believe it.
"OK"? That's it? What about our date? I'm sorry, Kevin.
But there're only four more days until the election, and you know how important this is to me.
I'm sure you understand.
What - was she joking? You bet I understood.
Not that I'd ever actually come out and say it.
You know, WinnieThat guy's almost three times your age.
- Who? - "Who"Mike - that's who.
- You know, the guy you've been practically hanging all over.
- What?! Oh, come on, Winniefigure it out.
Why do you think he wants you to stay late, tonight? - It's a campaign meeting.
- Yeah, and I'll give you one guess as to what he's campaigning for.
I don't believe you, Kevin.
The future of our country is at stake And all you care about is your stupid ego?! Now keep in mind, I was half-crazed with jealousy.
So I said something I'd regret the rest of my life.
What's so badabout president Nixon, anyway? Kevin, you sound like an idiot.
I may be an idiot, but at least I'm not blind.
I'm outta here.
And with thatI quit politics.
For good.
Once and for all.
Forever.
Untilabout four hours later.
- You mind if I ask what we're doing here? - Hey, I just want to see what's going on, OK? Alright.
You knowI think I saw something like this on "Mission: Impossible".
Look at that.
What do you think they're doin' in there? My imagination was running wild.
I saw passionate kisses.
Steamy embraces.
LimbsEntwining.
ThenI saw the lights go out.
I'm going in there.
That's great.
- Hey - could you bring me back a donut? - Can it! It wasn't donuts I was after.
It wasMike Detweiler.
It seemed obvious the guy intended to bring new meaningTo the term "backroom politics".
Great.
SoThere was only one thing to do.
Which is why, that night, at approximately twenty-two minutes past nine, I did something destinedTo make headlines in years to come.
I, Kevin Arnold Broke in to McGovern headquarters.
Suremaybe Mike thought he could take advantage of Winnie's enthusiam and naivete Twist it to satisfy his own sordid needs.
But Mike hadn't counted on one thing.
Mike hadn't counted on - Mike - Hold it.
Ormaybe he had.
It's OK guys - he's cool.
What can I do for ya, Kevin? Uh, I just came down hereTo, uhI mean Well, you're just in time.
Kevin, I'd like you to meet senator McGovern.
Hello, Kevin.
It's a pleasure to meet you, son.
Kevin's been workin' for ya, too, senator.
Ya know, KevinIt's the dedication and conviction of young people like you, that's gotten us through this campaign.
- Keep up the good work.
- Thank you.
You're welcome.
And I guess that's when I realized What this one moment meant.
I'll uhlet myself out.
It meant that I was part of history.
It meantThat I was finally able to see the big picture.
It meant I could never compete with Mike Detweiler.
The guy had George McGovern in his back pocket.
When he says the President isn't telling us the truthon this matter Tuesday, November seventh, nineteen-seventy-two.
While the entire nation preparedTo elect the man Who would lead it through the next four years I was figuring out what riboflavin was.
WAYNE: So, Dad - who you gonna vote for? Lemme tell ya somethin', Wayne.
When I walk into that boothI don't have to answer to anybody but myself.
Neither will you.
It's every American's right.
- Nixon, right? - Let's get a move on.
- Don't be late for school, honey.
- Right, Mom.
I was bitter.
I'd seen politics for what it was.
A gamePlayed by the power-hungry few who thought nothing about using innocent people as their pawns.
Vote for McGovern! Thanks.
I felt disillusioned.
Disenfranchised.
Face it I was way ahead of my time.
Still, that evening, alone in my room I found myself wondering.
About Winnie.
And Mike.
About what it really all meant.
And here's an FM one-oh-five election bulletin.
Senator McGovern has scored a stunning upset in the state of Massachussetts.
Early returns indicate that the Senator has also carried the District of Columbia.
The high concentration of young, female and black voters in this area Has given the senator this unexpected victory.
A McGovern spokesman has said And right at that moment, all out of nowhereI got my answer.
Driving down those streetsI saw the blue glow Of the television sets in every window.
And I began to understand some of what Winnie had been swept up in.
Across townacross America People were watching a new chapter of history unfold.
And I had helped write that chapter.
And now I wanted to shareThe thrill of victory.
The early votes we have in, counted from places OrThe agony of defeat.
And the eastern, midwestern and southern states And there it was, in black-and-white.
In the time it had taken me to drive down there Senator McGovern's victory had gone from landslideto mudslide.
I knew I'd been wrongAbout the guy.
I could almost understand what Winnie had seen in him.
Mike? How could this happen? After allThis man had held her dreams in his hands Her values, her ideals.
Hey, listenIt's nothing to kill yourself about - it's just politics.
Besides, we knew the guy never had a chance.
Didn't we? - What? - Hey.
Let's get a drink.
Take care, OK? I hear Kennedy may launch in 'seventy-four.
Maybe we should give 'em a call.
I guess many hearts were broken across America that night.
But only one I really cared about.
I'm sorry.
I guessyou must think I was pretty stupid, huh? But somehow, it didn't seem important, anymore.
Who was right, who was wrong.
All that really seemed to matter was You, uhwant to go get a sandwich, or somethin'? Thanks.
After all, maybe in his own way, Mike was right.
In politics, you live to fight another day.
Sure, the 'sixties were gone, but sooner or later There'd be other battles to fight.
No question at all, that we have pushed this country In the direction of peace The thing is, that election forever changed the way my generation looked at politics.
We discovered, no matter how painfully, that we could be part of the process.
That we could believe.
And even now, twenty years later, despite all the evidence to the contrary - What a waste.
- NahWait'll next time.
Then things'll be different.
I can remember that night.
And still believe.