The Goldbergs Review: Revenge O’ The Nerds (Season 5 Episode 4)

On The Goldbergs Season 5 Episode 4, “Revenge O’ The Nerds,” everyone in the family is in need of personal growth, and we learn that perms are not the best way to get it.

The Bevolution we heard about on The Goldbergs Season 5 Episode 2 is a go.

I am here for it.

Beverly (Wendi McClendon-Covey) needs more out of life than just being a mother. With one kid out of the nest, the realization hits her hard.

When Beverly sets her mind on something she goes all in.

Going to night school is a reasonable and logical plan to help reinvent herself, which is surprising for her because she usually concocts some pretty wild schemes. It creates a role-reversal between her and Murray (Jeff Garlin). Murray gives her the perm idea to divert her attention away from disrupting his life of convenience.

It’s a hair-brained scheme, if you will.

Beverly often does that with the kids, trying to keep her motherly hooks in them as long as she can. It all comes from a place of selfishness.

But, the Bevolution is the right kind of selfishness. Beverly does so much for her family, and this time she wants to do something for herself.

When Beverly figures out Murray’s trick, she confronts him, and it is glorious.

Beverly: I’m not going to casserole anything for you ever again.
Murray: That’s a crazy thing to say.

On a show where “parm” is a verb, of course “casserole” can be one, as well.

McClendon-Covey is really great in this scene. I imagine a lot of mothers from the 80s had this experience, and the show conveys it with a good mix of humor and emotion.

The comedy comes from Barry and his burning scalp in the background, the witty dialogue, and McClendon-Covey’s delivery. The dramatic portion is there with the truth and sincerity of the situation, and Murray really hearing that truth.

Similarly, the Erica/Adam storyline starts out with someone being selfish (Erica) and the other person (Adam) pointing that out to them.

So far this season, The Goldbergs is doing a great job of integrating Erica’s college life into the family life. Season 5 Episode 4 brings Adam to college along with his nerd friends, setting up the parallels to the 1984 movie, Revenge of the Nerds.

There are some awesome callbacks to the college comedy, including the musical finale, but my favorite is the commentary on the iconic panty raid.

Adam: Um, now that we’re actually here, this kind of feels weird and invasive.
Dave Kim: It felt much more lighthearted in the movie. If someone stole my private stuff, I’d feel super violated.
Adam: I’d call the police. I mean, it’s a legit crime.

It’s interesting how rewatching these 80s classics can highlight some major problematic issues, but were glossed over for the sake of comedy. The Goldbergs often points out these discrepancies, and in hilarious ways.

They ditch the panty raid for a pantry raid. Brilliant.

Mitzi: You know this little pantry raider?
Erica: Oh gross! Wait, did you say pantry? Like in a kitchen?

Being away at college seems to have made Erica forget that Adam would’ve helped her if she just asked him, especially with a film related project.

The members of the Goldberg family go through life’s obstacles and even create obstacles for each other, but they always help one another through.

And sometimes there is actual personal growth involved—although on this episode, not so much for Barry. He lost a bit, I think. Along with some of his hair.

Stray Observations:

• A Back To School and Real Genius reference within the first minute! Those are my favorite 80s college movies!
• “How can Rodney Dangerfield have a hot tub in his dorm? It would be a plumbing nightmare.”
• Erica is failing Intro to Film. Adam and I can’t relate.
• “Duh-doy!” Each and every delivery of this by McClendon-Covey is fantastic.
• “I have had this exact hair since I was a tiny baby.”
• The interaction between Valley Erica and the nerds is delightful.
• “Sweet Medusa!”
• The Chad Kremp bit towards the end is really random, but I actually love it.
• “Everybody look …and laugh. They gave each other home perms like losers.”

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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