The Goldbergs Review: Jackie Likes Star Trek (Season 5 Episode 5)

On The Goldbergs Season 5 Episode 5, “Jackie Likes Star Trek,” the family celebrates Halloween with relationship horrors for everyone.

Halloween episodes of sitcoms are always special, and this one kicks it up a notch by marking The Goldbergs’ 100th episode. Lea Thompson of Back to the Future fame directs this milestone episode in which Geoff and Erica dress up as Marty McFly and Lorraine.

A main theme runs through all the storylines: relationship woes.

The Adam/Jackie plot mixes with the Beverly/Murray one, and Erica and Lainey’s long distance troubles with Geoff and Barry haunt all of them. Combining these narratives serves to strengthen each one.

Adam and Jackie have the nerdiest, most adorable fight over Star Wars versus Star Trek which segues into Bev and Mur’s hilarious squabble over towels. The scene where the two arguments overlap is beautifully executed. The comedy is rapid-fire, but also the depiction of a simple difference of opinion is portrayed well.

Jackie: So you just repeat everything I say just to patronize me?
Adam: It’s better than saying the one thing you love the most is boring as balls!
Jackie: Boring as balls?
Murray: You don’t even want my opinion. You just want everything on your terms.
Beverly: But my terms make sense unlike the preposterous size of that towel!

Young love taking cues from an old married couple is not the best route, and it backfires spectacularly.

I particularly like that the advice the parents give is what takes it so far off track. Part of growing up is realizing that your parents don’t have all the answers. Adam learns that he can’t model his relationship after his parents’ marriage because each couple has to find out what works best for them.

Beverly: We do compromise, just in our own way
Adam: I get it. Even if it is super unhealthy, and a terrible example.
Murray: But it works for us.
Beverly: And you and Jackie will figure out what works best for you, too.

Adam and Jackie’s make-up and compromise in the end brings a tear to my eye. It is so cute. Jackie dresses up as Leia and Adam as Spock, making it the best couple’s costume of the night.

Although, the Back to the Future and An Officer and A Gentleman ones are pretty great, too. They even have jokes and dialogue to go with them.

Andy: Hey Bar? It’s been an hour. I don’t think you have to keep carrying her around like she’s Debra Winger.
Barry: I’ll carry Lainey in my arms until everyone knows I am the officer and she is my gentleman!

Both couples learn the same lesson as Adam, that they have to find what works for them.

Erica pointing out why Lainey and Barry can’t do long distance makes her and Geoff examine their decision to. They come to the conclusion that it’s worth it. Lainey and Barry decide it’s not, even though they love each other.

All the couples go through an emotional roller coaster on Halloween night 1980-something, but they figure some big things out about themselves and their loved ones.

Stray Observations:

• “There is no debate because Star Trek is about humanity’s quest for knowledge and peace.”
• Great use of “Love Lifts Us Up” from An Officer and A Gentleman, and Barry and Lainey’s movie entrance to the dance was spot on.
• “Fun fact: they’re so big I can only wash one of those at a time.”
• “I know he’s upset, but we have to get Adam back in here. It’s going to take at least three of us to fold this thing.” Seriously, these towel jokes are the best. I can’t get enough.

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

Reviewer Rating:

User Rating:

 

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

Follow us on Twitter @telltaleTV_

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!