If you haven’t already heard, The Goldbergs have been renewed for two more seasons. Last night’s season 4 finale was a solid conclusion to a mostly good series of episodes contained within the season. However, the final line from Adam Goldberg (Sean Giambrone) makes one wonder how the show will continue. Mainly, it begs the question; will the show leave the 80s behind?
More on that later. Anyway, “Graduation Day,” the title of last night’s episode, was directed by New Jersey’s own Kevin Smith (who also was behind the camera for Clerks, Dogma, and episodes of The Flash). Smith really was able to capture the essence of this family, and in his second attempt, gave Erica’s (Hayley Orrantia) send off the tender touches it needed.
It was not easy for the oldest Goldberg child to depart. She realizes that her mom (Wendi McLendon-Covey) is her rock. No, seriously, this is a sincere thought in Erica’s mind. She’s not ready for college. It just so happens that college isn’t ready for her either, as she has missed out on too many gym classes and therefore can’t get that diploma. Beverly is ecstatic, but Murray (Jeff Garlin) is ready to have the first bird leave the nest. Begrudgingly, Beverly works things out at school, and helps Erica emotionally prepare for the next step.
Another Goldberg is having trouble with this whole graduation thing, but this time it’s Barry (Troy Gentile). His girlfriend Lainey (A.J. Michalka) is leaving a few days after graduation, and he’s bummed. In the midst of this, Adam tries to cheer him up, and it’s a real nice moment between the two. Eventually, Lainey and Barry get to talking, trying to make an understanding of everything.
In the third storyline, Adam and new girlfriend (yes, that’s right, girlfriend) Jackie (Rowen Blanchard) run into Adam’s first love, Dana (Natalie Alyn Lind) and things get awkward, especially later on when Adam learns that Jackie dated a high school jock prior to him. He gets all weird about it, and Jackie storms off, making Adam realize he was in the wrong. He later encounters Jackie sitting alone at the movies (same scene where he tries to cheer Barry up) and the two make up. Truthfully, I like these two together, and Blanchard fits right into the formula.
Even though I love The Goldbergs a ton, I would not be lying when I say that the show itself survives on the cast it has. They make the repetitive nature of the program work, as it has sort of become more of a Full House style show but with some edge to it. There’s an argument or a fight, but don’t you worry, everyone makes up at the end. I’d be curious to see if they develop deeper stories for the next two seasons, especially with Orrantia not being around as much as she was. I’m sure they will find time to squeeze her in though.
Also, this show needs to put the 80s in the past, and move forward to the 90s. It just makes sense, especially now because I think they’ve used every in joke from the decade they could. Imagine what new material they could work with!
Oh well, in any case, the wait for Season 5 begins. As for now, Season 4 ended on a good note. Not much more you could ask for.
