Maybe it's just me, but Kevin's crush on Miss Husenfuss in "Courage" felt overly exaggerated and, at times, cringeworthy. While the premise of a 13-year-old boy having a harmless crush on his hygienist is relatable, the execution in this episode leaned too heavily into awkwardness, making it difficult to fully buy into the story's emotional weight. Kevin's adolescent infatuation, while comically exaggerated, felt more like a vehicle for laughs than a meaningful exploration of courage.
The episode revolves around Kevin facing his fear of getting a cavity filled, with Miss Husenfuss providing the encouragement he needs to overcome it. However, the way Kevin's crush is portrayed-his obvious adoration, the knee-jerk flirting, and the comedic misunderstanding when he talks about her to Dr. Tucker-feels more like a sitcom setup than the thoughtful coming-of-age storytelling The Wonder Years is known for. Miss Husenfuss is positioned as a source of courage for Kevin, but her interactions with him feel more like playful teasing than genuine mentorship.
The comedic moments land well, but the overall message about courage feels underdeveloped. A cavity filling, even for a nervous teenager, doesn't quite seem to carry the weight of a lesson about bravery. The brief conversation Kevin has with his father about serving in Korea adds some depth, contrasting the minor fear of a needle with the real dangers of war. Still, this point feels more like a passing thought than a fully realized theme.
The cringe factor is undeniable-whether it's Kevin not realizing Miss Husenfuss is behind him when he talks about her, or the awkward moment when they both kneel to pick up the false teeth, creating a scene that feels like it's played for laughs more than narrative significance. These moments are funny in their own way but detract from what could have been a more thoughtful exploration of courage.
While I appreciate the comedic tone and the occasional charm of Kevin's awkward adolescence, this episode feels like a missed opportunity. The idea of courage could have been explored in a way that was more meaningful or reflective, rather than relying on an exaggerated crush and a relatively minor scenario. The humor and awkwardness work to an extent, but the emotional resonance that defines the best episodes of The Wonder Years is missing here.
In conclusion, "Courage" is funny and entertaining but falls short in delivering a compelling message about bravery. It's an amusing, if cringey, snapshot of teenage awkwardness, but it lacks the depth and relatability that makes the show's coming-of-age themes so impactful.
