User Reviews

"Goobye," one of the more touching episodes of "The Wonder Years."

Mr. Collins reminded me SO much of my junior high math teacher, Mr. Lalasz. Mr. Lalasz was one of the reasons I BECAME a math teacher, myself.

I especially enjoyed how the writers book ended the first episode we were introduced to, Mr. Collins.

At the very end of that episode, "Math Class," Kevin walks up, turns in his test and says "You don't need to grade it. It's an 'F'."

Then in this episode, "Goodbye," at the end, Kevin hands his test to Mr. Diperna, he says "You don't need to grade it, it's an 'A'."

Mr. Collins is a difficult math teacher and Kevin is having a hard time in class. But with a little inspiration and nudging, Kevin learns to appreciate the older gentleman's tutelage. Kevin learns to respect Mr. Collins and actually starts enjoying his class, as he sees it not only as a challenge, but also as the opportunity to learn something. You can see that the two characters are starting to connect and understand one another as Kevin starts to get serious about the class and Mr. Collins embraces this seriousness and works with Kevin to help him learn. This episode is a complete gem and a treat to watch. Clearly one of the best, if not the best, episodes in this program's run ever!

All credit to the late Steven Gilborn for his touching performance as Mr Collins in one of the finest episodes of The Wonder Years. I remember seeing this with friends, and we were very moved by this emotional episode that touches all the buttons. To this day I still have very vivid memories of this episode of The Wonder Years, which has to be one of the best series ever.

Also all credit to the writing team for such an endearing story, as it was quite unpredictable in parts, and it ending up being a story of redemption for Kevin.

The fact this episode alone has over 300 user votes with a 9.6 ranking says volumes for this memorable episode of The Wonder Years.

As others have said, this is an absolutely magnificent episode of a show that has such amazing consistency.

I think everyone wishes they had/or may have even had a teacher like Mr Collins, and the relationship between him and Kevin was beautifully played out over three episodes.

This final one is so wonderfully written and performed, with the music at the end being inch perfect, I think it is very hard not to shed a tear at it.

Exceptional television - how does this show not get more recognition here in the UK??

Warning do not read unless seen episode.

As I've left many schools, there are times I sometimes think about certain teachers I've had and everything they taught me and how much they've helped me in becoming the person I am. This is my second favorite episode of the show as well as another of my favorite episodes in general. It's one of the saddest but also touching episode I ever seen. But also, really gives you a deep appreciation for teachers, on a side note my mom is a teacher herself.

Not a lot to say, I really like seeing the back and forth between both Collins and Kevin and though it we really do see a bond being formed but sadly Kevin is unable to confirm that it exists. Kevin has always had an admiration for most of the teachers he's had in his life as they were always like friends to him, the fact Collins doesn't show any hint of this stirs Kevin up making Kevin challenge Collins just to know where they stand.

But Kevin we see gets the worst news of his life when he just passes away. We see it hits Kevin like a gut punch, it even hit me and a lot of my friends as well because I honestly didn't see it coming which made it all the more heartsinking.

We see Kevin in emotional turmoil as he feels guilty about challenging him little knowing that was his final day with Collins, that's an awful feeling to have just realizing how yesterday with someone was their last day. Sadly, this is a fact of life as no one ever has all the time in the world.

But Kevin starts to find out a lot more about Collins and realize all this time Collins always was his friend which I'll admit was heartwarming; Kevin then does what he must do at the end which was Kevin way to honor Collins memory.

The final minutes I'll admit made me cry, when Kevin looks back at Mr. Collins desk and he sees Mr. Collins one more time, both exchange a few final words together which is both friends saying farewell. And of course, there is that music "Goodbye my Friend" which is just beautiful and sad and then we see a final shot of a photo of Mr. Collins which shows how Collins in in Kevin's hall of fame of friends.

So, Farewell Mr. Collins, like you and many other teachers just like the lessons you've teached you'll never be forgotten.

Rating: 4 stars

What is there to say? This is a perfect episode of television.

Even knowing what's to come (which is not difficult to decipher about halfway through the episode, if you know your tropes), it feels just as cruel and shocking for us as it does for Kevin. It also perfectly captures that confusing childhood experience of losing a trusted figure in your life who wasn't family, leaving you feeling upset and angry and detached and a bit lost, all at once.

Kevin's crushing realization that he let Mr. Collins down right before the end is incredibly heartbreaking... Until we learn, of course, that Mr. Collins has Kevin's back and believed in him all along. Beautiful.

The "you don't have to grade it" quote coming back around to bookend the entire Collins storyline was the perfect cherry on top.