THE GOLDBERGS - "Jedi Master Adam Skywalker" - As the school year comes to a close, Barry and Erica wonder what they'll be voted for in the yearbook and pressure Adam - who's on staff - to see the rough layout before it goes to print. But when they accidentally delete it, mass panic ensues and messes up Adam's relationship with Jackie. Meanwhile, Murray is annoyed when Marvin comes to visit for money, but Beverly convinces him to help Marvin out with a plan, because he's family, on "The Goldbergs," WEDNESDAY, MAY 10 (8:00-8:30 p.m. EST), on The ABC Television Network. (ABC/Eric McCandless) Tell-Tale TV Panel: The Goldbergs Season 4 THE GOLDBERGS - "Jedi Master Adam Skywalker" - As the school year comes to a close, Barry and Erica wonder what they'll be voted for in the yearbook and pressure Adam - who's on staff - to see the rough layout before it goes to print. But when they accidentally delete it, mass panic ensues and messes up Adam's relationship with Jackie. Meanwhile, Murray is annoyed when Marvin comes to visit for money, but Beverly convinces him to help Marvin out with a plan, because he's family, on "The Goldbergs," WEDNESDAY, MAY 10 (8:00-8:30 p.m. EST), on The ABC Television Network. (ABC/Eric McCandless)

Tell-Tale TV Panel: The Goldbergs Season 4

Ashley Bissette Sumerel Tell-Tale TV Season Review Panels, The Goldbergs

ABC’s The Goldbergs takes us back to the 1980s in the funniest possible way, and we love it.

See what our panel of writers thought of The Goldbergs Season 4 as they discuss what worked well, what didn’t, and what they hope to see next season. Be sure to join the discussion as well by responding in the comments below!

Our panelists are:

On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate the season overall?

Erin: 8. There were some minor missteps along the way, but overall the season was pretty strong.

Jamie: I agree with Erin, an 8. There were some unfunny storylines (I’m looking at Murray’s brother moving in), but some sweet moments, too.

Samantha: Solid 8! Honestly, no one cares about Murray’s brother and it’s really easy to forget he’s there.

Lisa: I’m going to fourth this with giving the season an 8. The show only gets better and reminds me of the nostalgia I love.

What was this season’s biggest problem?

Erin: There were times where some of the characters’ behavior seemed forced or not entirely true. I wouldn’t say it’s a big problem, but it was a noticeable occurrence that ran the gamut of characters.

Jamie: I feel like I missed how Adam got a girlfriend. I know he had been single for a while, but did I miss an episode where he suddenly got a girlfriend? Plus, not enough George Segal. I get that Adam is growing up, but there needed some more sentimental moments with Pop-Pop outside of the Batman episode.

Samantha: Sometimes the family dynamics didn’t feel as strong as the have been in past seasons. It didn’t happen too often, but some of the episodes just lacked that emotion that has you in stitches laughing one moment, and crying when the 80s music swells towards the end of the episode.

Lisa: Murray’s brother. He gets thrown in from time to time, and it just doesn’t go well with the rest of the continuity and comedy.  I know it’s also a large cast, but if they can keep it more of a core where we can remember who each person is a lot better, especially when it comes to kids at their high school and friends.

THE GOLDBERGS - "Fonzie Scheme" - When Murray is honored as one of Jenkintown's top businessmen, his plaque is hung on a wall with all of the other honorees. And soon Beverly is dismayed to learn he has no discernable hobbies, and her attempts to help him find some backfire. Meanwhile, Barry creates a scheme stealing golf carts, but the situation goes awry and Erica comes to save the day, on "The Goldbergs," WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26 (8:00-8:30 p.m. EDT), on The ABC Television Network. (ABC/Ron Tom)
THE GOLDBERGS – “Fonzie Scheme” – (ABC/Ron Tom)
SEAN GIAMBRONE, TROY GENTILE

What worked really well this season?

Erin: The Goldbergs is really self-aware. I love how they make fun of themselves this way. Some of my favorite moments consisted of jokes at the show’s own expense.

Also, Wendi McClendon-Covey as Beverly is as great as ever. She has been the highlight of the series as a whole, and she remains to be this season, too.

Jamie: Wendi-McClendon-Covey is G0d’s gift to comedy. The woman has a gift and she plays it so perfectly as Beverly Goldberg and her never dying love for her children.

I also love that cast is progressively growing up and it is noted. Adam is not a little “schmoo” anymore. Barry’s girlfriend and Erica are headed off to college. They acknowledge it may still be “1980-something,” but the characters do grow up.

Samantha: I agree with Erin and Jamie, Wendi McClendon-Covey continues to be absolute gold as she brings this smother to life with love and total hilarity. I also agree with Jamie about how well they handled the kids growing up.

Lisa: Wendi McClendon-Covey is magical and a gift to comedy. From her outfits to the adorable nicknames and her smothering, it is all perfection. She is phenomenally brilliant, and I can’t get enough of her. I also will forever be tickled by Barry’s rap about the Dreideldactyl — never ever give up your dreams Barry!

What was the biggest surprise of the season?

Erin: That they are able to continue and maintain authenticity to the era and to the real Adam Goldberg’s life. Every connection back to his real life—and how amazingly it’s recreated in such detail—surprises and impresses me. This has been a quality I have always admired in the show, and that they are able to keep it up consistently is commendable.  

Jamie: One word: Gerica. I was starting to doubt that Geoff would ever give up on Evie, but I’m so happy he and Erica finally made their way to one another. FINALLY!

Samantha: Adam’s new girlfriend. Rowan Blanchard is a treasure and I think she’s the perfect person for this role. I really like that they have her here being just as much of a nerd as Adam, without making it into the sexist geek girl stereotype.

Lisa: The addition of Rowan Blanchard, who became Adam’s new girlfriend. I definitely agree with Samantha that Rowan is a treasure, and she and Sean fit together so well in the true teen geek love story.

THE GOLDBERGS - "Jedi Master Adam Skywalker" - As the school year comes to a close, Barry and Erica wonder what they'll be voted for in the yearbook and pressure Adam - who's on staff - to see the rough layout before it goes to print. But when they accidentally delete it, mass panic ensues and messes up Adam's relationship with Jackie. Meanwhile, Murray is annoyed when Marvin comes to visit for money, but Beverly convinces him to help Marvin out with a plan, because he's family, on "The Goldbergs," WEDNESDAY, MAY 10 (8:00-8:30 p.m. EST), on The ABC Television Network. (ABC/Eric McCandless) SEAN GIAMBRONE, ROWAN BLANCHARD
THE GOLDBERGS – “Jedi Master Adam Skywalker” – (ABC/Eric McCandless)
SEAN GIAMBRONE, ROWAN BLANCHARD

What are your hopes for next season?

Erin: I hope that Erica being away at college doesn’t impede the show’s already strong and steady formula. I would like for Erica to be a part of the show because I think Hayley Orrantia is a fantastic young comedic actor. I just don’t want the show to be disjointed by her long distant participation.

Jamie: It’s Barry’s Senior Year. He is going to have to settle down and focus more if he’s going to make his way into a decent college and then find his way to med school. It would be nice to see him less of a goofball, screw-off and finally realizing he has some work to do.

Samantha: I definitely would like them to keep Erica around in some way even as she goes away to college. I want to see Barry and Adam get closer as Barry realizes this is his last year of high school. Also less of Murry’s brother and more of Pop-pop. And as always more complete 80s saturation, more pop culture references, more music, more tribute episodes.

Lisa: I am sad that the core relationships are breaking up between Barry and Lainey and Erica and Geoff. I really hope that Erica being away doesn’t impede the family dysfunctional fun dynamics that have been a large part as well of what makes the show so great.  

I know it’s going to be Barry’s Senior year, so I can’t wait to hear what happens when he applies to college and finds some bumps along the way. I am also looking forward to more of Adam continuing to grow up and into his own.

What did you think of The Goldbergs Season 4? Share your thoughts with us in a comment below!

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Ashley Bissette Sumerel is a television and film critic living in Wilmington, North Carolina. She is editor-in-chief of Tell-Tale TV as well as Eulalie Magazine. Ashley has also written for outlets such as Rolling Stone, Paste Magazine, and Insider. Ashley has been a member of the Critics Choice Association since 2017 and is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic. In addition to her work as an editor and critic, Ashley teaches Entertainment Journalism, Composition, and Literature at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.