The Goldbergs Review: Fonzie Scheme (Season 4 Episode 21)

On The Goldbergs Season 4 Episode 21, “Fonzie Scheme,” Adam comes to terms with growing up and how his siblings fit into that, and Beverly and Murray grow closer (largely because of coupons).

Let me first say “Fonzie Scheme” is a great pun, and they even work it into the plot, which makes it even better.

The scheme is born out of Barry and his failed hijinks. I worry about Barry often, especially in episodes like this. Adam and Erica are showing signs of growing up, and Barry …is not.

His lack of maturity is funny most of the time, however it’s also pigeon-holing his character a bit. There have been other episodes that show he is more complex than the foolish buffoon he appears to be. That is what makes “Fonzie Scheme” feel like a step backwards for Barry when all the other characters are progressing.

Adam, who looks to Erica for guidance, knows that Barry’s ideas are not smart, but Barry’s enthusiasm makes it look like so much fun that it becomes irresistible to Adam. Erica sees Adam’s dependence on her, and she worries what will happen when she goes off to college.

Erica decides to cut off that help and force Adam to stand on his own.

Erica: Consider this a trial run. Your stupidity is in your own hands.
Adam: But that’s a lot of pressure.

It’s also a trial run for Erica, herself, to try to balance letting go and being a good big sister at the same time.

It’s nice to see them as young people grow as well as strengthen their brother/sister bond, but it makes me wish that Barry wasn’t left out of that development.

Beverly and Murray also strengthen their relationship.

Beverly realizes that Murray’s lack of hobbies is a problem for her without realizing that that revelation might hurt Murray’s feelings.

We know that Murray is notoriously bad at sharing his feelings, so it makes sense that he agrees to Beverly’s mad-cap hobby mentoring. They settle on couponing because Murray loves saving money. In fact, saving money is one of his hidden hobbies already, so it is a natural fit.

He gets carried away in a Barry-like fashion, trying to beat Beverly at her own game. He even replaces her coupon pouch with a “savings satchel.” The problem is, Murray is not hobbying the way she wants him to, forgetting that having a hobby requires taking one’s passion and making it their own.

They make up with Beverly telling him that he is not the man she married; he’s better. It’s all very sweet. Jeff Garlin and Wendi McLendon-Covey are always reliable for laughs, and it’s nice when they share a storyline.

Stray Observations:

• OMG, do you remember those USA Up All Night movies? I remember watching The Legend of Billie Jean at a sleepover.
• Erica literally bursts their bubble by popping their balloon. I think they wanted out of the bubble anyways. “Thank you for saving us from ourselves.”
• That balloon game reminds me of that Friends episode, “The One With The Ball.”
• “His speech was one that said little while meaning even less.”
• “I’m literally kvelling out of every pore of my body.”
• Murray has some great facial expressions and reactions in this episode.
• I think “Fonzie Scheme” might hold the record for a television episode that has the most uses of the words “bang” and “bongo.”
• Barry getting run over and stuck under a golf cart really happened, and they have the footage to prove it! It also shows that Barry saying “I’m good” repeatedly came from the actual event.
• “I’m the Erica now. Listen to me closely. Go get Erica.”
• Please tell me that canned bananas aren’t a real thing? Gross.
• Gerica’s first official date is a nice little addition to the main plots. “Now, let’s eat these beach termites and make some memories.”
• Oddly, I have actually had the same toilet paper ply conversation with my husband, and embarrassingly enough, I was Team Murray. “No one uses 1-ply, Murray. No one.”

What did you think of this episode of The Goldbergs? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

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The Goldbergs airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on ABC.

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