The Wonder Years (2021–…): Season 1, Episode 9 - Home for Christmas - full transcript

♪ Oh, yeah ♪

♪ Candles burnin' lo ♪

Girl, you better not be
clumping that tinsel.

I'm not.
I'm just putting it on

- in little bunches.
- Mm-hmm.

That's the definition
of clumping.

See, just... just
one strand at a time.

And hurry up.
He'll be here any minute.

I need everything
to be perfect.

I finally finished wrapping
his present.

You think he'll like it?
It's a telescope.



Really?
We thought it was a sweater.

He's here.

♪ And ya know what I mean

♪ Ooh

♪ I see your smilin' face

Look who I found.

Two years ago,
the Williams family

was ripped apart.

Tonight,
we were made whole again.

My brother Bruce finished
his tour of duty in Vietnam,

and he was coming home,
just in time for Christmas.

Uh, excuse me, sir.
Have you seen Dean Williams?

He's my little brother,
about this tall.

It's good to see you, man.



I didn't expect him to look
so different.

Maybe it was the uniform,
or maybe it was just

that two years had passed
since I'd seen him.

Whatever the reason,
Bruce was not the same teenager

who left this house.

He was a man.

I mean, he was almost
as tall as Kim.

And he definitely had
a man's appetite.

What?

I've never seen anyone
eat so fast.

Don't get that sleeve too close
to your mouth, son.

You might swallow a button.

Let the boy eat.

He obviously missed
his mama's cooking.

We can talk later about you
chipping in on the grocery bill.

Okay.

In our family,
eating in the dining room

was reserved for special
occasions, like holidays,

or when Grandma came over

and Mama had
something to prove.

Even more rare... my dad giving
my brother a beer.

Bill, the boy is only 20.

If he's old enough
to fight for his country,

he's old enough to drink.

I guess you're right.

Enjoy your first beer.

I think
I'll have one, too.

Uh, sit.

You not ready
for your first beer.

I saw that.

So, now that you're home,
any plans for your future?

The coach at 'Bama State was
dying to have you on the team

before you went off to war.
You should reach out.

Might be a scholarship
in it for you.

Speaking of Alabama State,

there's a stop-the-war rally
there tomorrow.

You should come with me.

So I can get booed
and spit on

by a bunch of kids
who have no idea

what I've been through?

So, uh,
my sister's an activist now?

Last thing I remember you
protesting was your curfew.

Stupidest signs
I ever seen.

Well, I am proud of you.

And, Mom, I'm just looking
to settle in.

Get a job,
make a little money.

Don't forget... We still
have a lot of work to do

if we want to fix up
the treehouse by Christmas Eve.

You still want to do that?

Of course.
I mean, well,

I'm too old
for that stuff,

but I'd hate to ruin
our tradition.

My brother and I had
a longstanding tradition.

We would sleep in our treehouse
on Christmas Eve,

hoping to catch Santa.

And I have some
cool new ideas too,

like, uh, we could build
an observation deck

so we can look at
the stars together.

I promise
we'll get it done.

Mm, that sounds like the perfect
Christmas activity...

Sleeping outside in the cold
on rotten wood.

Okay, hey.

I slept in a lot worse
in Vietnam,

like trees that didn't
have houses.

Good. Then once we
finish the treehouse,

you can move out of my room
and live up there.

♪ Oh, oh, oh

♪ And I know

♪ Ohh

♪ Through the highs
and the lows ♪

♪ I'mma find my way home
*THE WONDER YEARS *

*THE WONDER YEARS *
Season 01 Episode 09

Episode Title: "Home for Christmas"
Aired on: December 01, 2021.

- Hey, Dean.
- Does Br seem normal to you?

Yeah, of course. Why?

'Cause I just watched
this movie on TV

about this soldier
who came back from the war.

He was, like, psycho.

Yeah, I saw that one.

That lady asked him
how he wanted his steak,

and he was like,

"I want it... raw."

Yeah, yeah.
And then he went crazy

and stabbed everybody
in the park.

Cool.

I heard that was based on
a true story.

Shh!

I don't know what
you guys are talking about.

That's just a movie.

Nope.

Those guys
don't come back the same.

He's right, Dean.

My mama's cousin
came back from Vietnam,

and now everybody says
he's on the junk.

What's "the junk"?

I don't really know.
But whatever it is,

it makes your grandma
lock up her rings.

But what if they were right?

What if guys don't come back
from Vietnam the same?

The next morning,
I decided I needed to pay

extra-close attention
to my brother.

Never let him leave my sight,
examine every word and action

to make sure he's sane.

Ooh, I'll take that.

Mm. I'll take that.

Bruce brought the balance of
power back to the house.

Nothing crazy about that.

I'll take that too.

Nope, he was clearly
bat crazy.

Dad, can I borrow your car
to run some errands?

Oh, uh,
I'll go with you.

You like
running errands now?

Oh, you know me.
I just love 'em.

Of course I didn't,
but I had to be careful

what I said to my parents.

The last thing I wanted
was to tip them off

that something was wrong
with Bruce.

He's got a knife!

Which he's using
to butter his biscuit.

Or wrong with me.

Bruce's "errand" took us
to two streets

my parents told me
never to cross.

We ended up at a shady house
in a sketchy neighborhood.

Stay in the car.

What kind of errand
required a duffel bag?

Well, just in case
Bruce was a little off,

it was good that I was there
to look after him...

from the car.

Ah, Bruce was taking too long.

I tried to signal him with
the bird calls we used

when we played hide-and-seek
against Kim.

Ca-caw, ca-caw!

Nothing.

Quack!

And my bird game
was clearly strong,

so I had to go see
what was really going on.

Now, I hadn't been to many
white people's houses before,

but tiptoeing felt right.

Dean.

Oh. Is this
your little brother?

Yes, this is
my nosy little brother.

Dean, this is
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson.

You are very lucky to have
such a wonderful brother.

You know, my son always spoke
so highly of you.

He really admired
the way that you...

You always took care of him
and the other men in your troop.

You cherish every moment
you have with your brother.

Did their son... die?

Yeah.

He was one of my guys.

Was he one of your friends
that you talked about

in your letters?

Yeah. James.

Well, what about Carver
or Monte?

Still there, but good.

You know,
Carver has a pet chicken.

What's his name?
Cat.

That's so Carver.

Hey, Dean, let's go over to
the hardware store,

pick up a few things
for the observation deck.

I mean, we gotta be ready
for when Santa come, right?

Can we buy some rope?

I told you last time,

- we are not tying Santa to the chimney.
- No, stupid.

Although that was a solid idea.

I want to buy
some rope and a pulley

so we can pull supplies up
in a bucket.

Yeah, I also have
a bunch of other ideas too,

like a doorbell
or maybe a slide?

A slide?
Isn't that a bit much?

No, "a bit much"
would be a moat filled

with man-eating piranhas.

The piranhas part,
not the moat.

Um, excuse me, sir.

I saw the "help wanted" sign
in the window.

We filled
that position.

Uh-huh.

Well, maybe you should take
the sign out the window, then.

I, uh,
noticed the jacket.

'Nam?

Yeah.
Yeah, I just got back.

I was a corporal
in the 22nd Infantry.

Oh, man, y'all saw
some serious action.

I just stocked shelves
in the PX.

Heard you say
you needed a job, though.

I work at the bank downtown.
My boss loves vets.

Hired me as a teller
my first week back.

Seriously?
Yeah.

That'd be great.
Here.

Just let him know
Mark sent you.

And, uh, good luck
in the real world.

Thank you.

Let's go find
some rope.

Cool.

To tie Santa up.

- Wait, what?
- Nothing.

Good luck.

Remember, firm handshake,
look him in the eyes.

Okay, Dad, I handled

I think I can handle
a job interview.

It was nice
to see Bruce so excited.

It seemed like he was back
on the right path.

Still, I wasn't gonna take
my eyes off him for a second.

Dean, what are you d...
I promise I'll stay out of your way.

Besides, I have some
important bank business, too.

Dang it.
How did this Canadian penny

make it all the way
to Alabama?

Corporal Williams?

"Joy to the World"... playing

Thank you for
your service.

I served in W-W-Two.

Always happy to help
a fellow vet.

Just because
we're back home

doesn't mean we shouldn't still
watch each others' backs.

Well,
I appreciate that, sir.

Ah. Please.

It's gonna be so cool having
a brother who works in a bank.

I'll get all the free lollipops
I want,

and maybe I can take a bath
in money, like Scrooge McDuck.

More, more, more!

Mr. Williams.

Mr. Williams!
Dean, let's go.

Wait, but I didn't
get a chance to finish m...

Now, Dean!
Come on!

So, how'd it go?

Well, uh,
they offered me a job.

But I didn't take it.
Why not?

Because I don't want
to be a janitor.

What?

I thought you were interviewing
for a teller position.

Yeah, me too.
But, clearly,

they only offer the good jobs
to the white veterans.

I forget what things are like
back here.

You know what?

You're too smart
to be a teller.

It's time
to start college.

The GI Bill
will cover your tuition.

Let your Uncle Sam pay
instead of your father.

Thanks, Dad.

But you don't have
to worry about me.

I know I got options.

Alright, son.

I felt bad that Bruce didn't
get the job he wanted,

but the silver lining was
we had more time

to spend on the treehouse.

Maybe now we could finish
that observation deck

by Christmas Eve.

W-Where's Bruce?

Yep, that's an electric saw.

It was 1968.

There were a bunch of kids
walking around

missing a couple of fingers.

He said he had
some last-minute shopping.

Look.

It's the ornament
Dean made in kindergarten.

I can't tell.
Is it Jesus in a manger

or a space alien
on a skateboard?

Oh, there he is.

Oh.

Where are
your shopping bags?

Oh, right, right.
Um...

I didn't do
much shopping.

Good news...

The dean of admissions
from 'Bama State

is gonna meet with you
personally

the day after
Christmas vacation.

Thanks.
Thanks.

But, uh, I wouldn't want him
to waste his time.

That's fine.

Maybe you're not ready
for school,

but I could ask around at work
and see if there's anything.

I can take care
of myself.

Hey! Don't speak to
your mother that way.

I'm sorry, Mama.

What's wrong?
Tell us.

I re-enlisted
for another tour.

I go back in January.

Have you lost your mind?
When did this happen?

Now. I just got back from
the recruitment office.

I guess maybe my friends
at school were right.

Bruce had to be crazy if he
wanted to go back to Vietnam.

But... you just got home.

What about all the stuff
we were going to do together?

I know, Dean, and I'm sorry,
little buddy, but...

I promise we'll finish
the treehouse before I leave.

Don't bother.

Now he'll never know
what his present was.

You're not thinking straight. We've been watching the
news. We know it's getting worse over there every day.

I've been going to
protests and sit-ins

to end this war
so you could come home.

And now you're choosing
to go back?

Okay, you just
don't understand. I...

Help us to understand,
son.

When I'm here, people see me
as just a janitor.

Over there, my men,
they respect me.

I'm a leader.

You really think they respect
a black soldier?

Kim, one of the reasons
I re-enlisted

is because they're gonna
promote me to sergeant.

I could have a career
in the Army,

which is a hell
of a lot better

than sweeping floors
for the rest of my life.

You'd have a lot more
opportunities

if you went to college.
You made good grades.

That was two years ago.

So was my last baseball game
and my last rally.

None of you have any idea
what I've been through.

I have a lot of friends
back there in Vietnam.

And I feel bad about that.
I think about that a lot.

Okay? I feel like I have to
go back right now

and make sure
they get home safely.

Son, that is noble, but...
There's no point in talking.

I already signed the papers
at the recruitment center.

It's too late.

It's too late.

The good news was
Mama and Daddy

were on the same page.

Bruce was wrong
and we were right.

It would only be
a matter of time

before they laid down the law.

What are you doing?

Putting a box together for
your brother to take with him.

Want him to have some things
that remind him of home.

So you're just letting him
go back to Vietnam?

We can't stop him, Dean,
much as we want to.

He's a grown man.
He makes his own choices now.

But he's our son, so we have to
love and support him.

I bet Dad
would yell at him.

They've been out there working
on that treehouse all morning.

No yelling.

What is wrong
with this family?

I couldn't believe it.

My parents were actually
gonna let this happen.

Clearly,
it was up to me now

to keep my brother
from going back to Vietnam.

That's right... the sit-in,

a classic act
of civil disobedience.

Occupy, disrupt, let them know
you mean business.

Yeah,
it wasn't really working.

Merry Christmas,
little fella.

Malcolm X was right.

This nonviolence thing
was not very effective.

Uh-oh, here comes one of

the imperialist
warmonger pigs now.

Hey, any idea how long
your sit-in's gonna last?

Time to hold my ground.

We're supposed to close early
for Christmas Eve,

and I've still got
some shopping to do.

Gonna buy my nephew
a G.I. Joe.

Don't waste your money
buying the black one.

It's just the white one
painted brown.

But I'm not leaving
until I end this war.

I don't want my brother
going back to Vietnam.

Okay.

What was
your brother's name?

Bruce.
Right.

Well, you gotta do
what you gotta do.

I couldn't believe
how all these people

could just blindly
go about their lives

while my family
was being torn apart.

I also couldn't believe
how stupid I was

not to pee
before I started my sit-in.

I gotta use the bathroom.
Can you hold this sign for me?

I'll be right back.

♪ Silent night

♪ Holy night

I was starting to see

how they get people
to re-enlist.

This guy was a master
of persuasion.

♪ Round yon virgin,
mother and child ♪

Hey.

Can I join
your sit-in?

No.

I'm trying to
end this war.

And you don't care.

♪ Sleep in heavenly peace

Okay.

That's not true.

I want to end the war, too,
but I also want to help

my guys from my platoon
get home safely.

So you care about them more
than you do your own family?

Of course not, Dean.

But you all are safe here.

I just want to make sure

my buddies get to spend
next Christmas

with their
little brothers.

When Bruce said that,

I realized
that all those soldiers

I saw enlisting today
had families

that felt the same way as mine.

Or worse, like the parents
we visited yesterday

who lost their son.

I still didn't want
my brother to go,

but at least I could understand
why he was going.

So...

you think
we can get home now?

I got something
I want to show you.

Okay.

Plus, we gotta get that sign
back to Kim's room

before she knows it's missing,
because she'll murder you.

By the way, my plan to end
the war in Vietnam did work.

It just took
another seven years.

How about that
for a treehouse?

How about that?

I totally dig it.

Mm-hmm.

It's the perfect place to sit
and look at stars.

You know, if one of us
had a telescope.

Yeah. If.

Oh, you see that constellation
right there?

That one's called
Cassiopeia.

You can see it from where
I'm stationed in Vietnam.

When I look up at it
every night,

I'll always be
thinking of you.

And you can think of me, too,
when you see it from here.

I guess the war did change
my brother... in some ways.

But not in the ways
I had feared.

And not in the ways
that really mattered.

He was still the kind of guy
who would spend Christmas Eve

freezing his butt off
in the treehouse

with his little brother.

♪ Sure did treat me nice

Yeah.
Where's Santa?

He's late.
Hmm.

♪ Merry Christmas, baby

Maybe he really is
Black.

♪ You sure did treat me nice

Unh. Unh.
Yes! Bruce!

Here. Careful.

♪ Feel like I'm in paradise

Jimi Hendrix's "Electric Ladyland"!
Later, it occurred to me

that we all gave Bruce gifts
that he had to be home to use.

That's how confident we were
he'd be coming back.

Now, I wonder
what this could be.

It's a telescope.

I thought it was
a pair of socks.

You think you can, uh,
keep an eye on it

for me while I'm gone?

Of course.

Wait.
I'm allowed to use it, right?

Don't feel bad, Bruce.

He said the same thing
to me last year

when he bought me
a black GI Joe.

I love it.

- Ohh!
- ♪ Merry, merry

♪ Merry Christmas, baby

♪ Sure did treat me nice

♪ I wish you a merry Christmas,
baby ♪

♪ Happy New Year, oh

♪ Merry Christmas, darling

♪ Everything here is beautiful

Captions by VITAC...