Episode 2, Season 4 of The Goldbergs definitely improved upon my problems with last week’s episode, which wasn’t enough to ruin the premiere, but enough to make me feel that the show may have lost some footing as it started a fresh batch of 24 episodes. However, “I Heart Video Dating” was a really funny and charming episode, offering the best of what The Goldbergs has in its arsenal.
The first plot portion of the episode deals with Erica (Hayley Orrantia) trying to help Lainey’s (A.J. Michalka) dad, Bill (David Koechner) get back on the dating scene since his wife left him years ago. He goes on one of those infamous video dating ads in a local mall. When Bill refuses because he’s not emotionally ready to move on, Erica blows up at him, realizing that she may have pushed her possible soulmate, Geoff (Sam Lerner) into the arms of another woman and that she may never get him back. This pushes Erica to an emotional moment (which Orrantia sells completely) and Mama Goldberg (Wendi McLendon-Covey) comforts her crying daughter. It’s very sweet.
On the other side of things, Barry (Troy Gentile) takes an aptitude test but isn’t pleased with the results. He fumbles looking for something else, but decides on being a gym teacher, which Coach Mellor (Bryan Callen) is all too happy to oblige, taking Barry under his wing. Murray (Jeff Garlin) isn’t feeling Barry’s choice, and offers Barry a crystal ball, which is based on the fact that Barry wanted to be an “neighborhood oracle,” something he stated earlier in the episode. The crystal ball segments definitely bring in the most laughs, but this is at the near end of an episode with solid chuckles throughout.
Adam (Sean Giambrone) barely shows during the course of things, only to show off a hilarious video of Bill dancing to “Macho Man” by the Village People. In any case, “I Heart Video Dating” definitely sticks the landing, and it brings in some great laughs and moments that highlight the strengths of why I love this show so much.
