She's a small Wonder!. Review on Small Wonders

Well many of you guys would wonder why did I choose to write a review on such an obsolete series, but the fact is that I’ve grown watching Small Wonder and must I say it is indeed my favorite serials of all times. Aired for the first time in the early 80s in the US, it took almost a decade for Small Wonder to reach India thanks largely to Star Plus (the then English Channel). I remember seeing it for the very first time when I was in 3rd std. And as an adult I still enjoy watching the show as much as I did then. So what’s so appealing about Small Wonder? What makes me watch it even if it was meant to target children as its main audience? Moreover what makes me watch it over and over and over again? (I’ve seen SW like zillion times, first in English and now in Hindi!)

The Cast:

Ted Lawson: Played by Dick Christi, this character is a robotics engineer who has a wife Joanne and a very cute son Jamie. There’s nothing special about Ted except the fact that he’s the inventor of VICI, which is an abbreviation for Voice Input Child Identicant. Vici is an android created on experimental basis for helping humans in day-to-day chores. But Vici is kept secret from everyone because it is Ted’s best invention and no one is supposed to know about her.

Joanne Lawson: Marla Pennington plays the role of a housewife beautifully and she’s a charming mother too. She takes care of the household activities until Vici arrives. She provides occasional hilarious moments in the serial and basically looks good throughout the series.

Jamie Lawson: Jerry Supiran was already a well-known face in America having almost 100 commercials under his belt before he did SW. He plays the role of Lawson’s only child and eventually Vici’s elder brother after they adopt her illegitimately. He’s a natural actor and brings life to his role by being witty and humorous. Any child across any country can easily relate to Jamie. Watch out for the episode where he gets really jealous of Vici and decides to run away from the house. That proves his mettle as a child actor.

Harriet: I love this character in particular. She’s an obnoxious ugly neighbor of the Lawsons and has a habit of poking her nose in her neighbor’s affairs. She drools over Jamie and thinks about marrying him one day and poor Jamie keeps running from her. She’s the daughter of the oh so irritating Brandel and Bonny Brindle. Like Jerry, Emily Schulman is also a natural actor and must I add my favorite.

Vici: Finally Vici. Tiffany Brrissete plays the role of the robot so easily and naturally that one thinks whether the serial was conceptualized keeping Tiffany in mind. Being a robot she has on obscure voice and displays absolutely no emotions, but by her funny and innocent ways she still manages to get the Lawasons in trouble somehow. She’s Small Wonder brings love and laughter everywhere!

My Opinion: I have been watching this show for more than twelve years now and watched it many times. But what is unique about the show is that it appeals to people of all the ages. It’s not about the adventure of some robotic engineering genius, but carries the message of mutual co-habbitance of the machines and humans if there need be (or would be) any. At the same time it never deviates from its basic purpose of providing family entertainment with lot of laughter through its winsome characters. Many people might think I must grow out of it for it’s a children show…but for me Small Wonder would be my favorite show because it keeps me in touch with the child within me.