The Goldbergs Review: A Wall Street Thanksgiving (Season 5 Episode 7)

The Goldbergs celebrate Thanksgiving in 80’s style with huge cellular phones, Atari, and the Bevolution.

I am so glad the writers are sticking with this Bevolution. We first heard about it on The Goldbergs Season 5 Episode 2, and then Beverly put it into practice on The Goldbergs Season 5 Episode 4.

On “A Wall Street Thanksgiving,” the Bevolution is in full swing. “¡Viva La Bevolución!”

Seeing my girl watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with her feet up and a glass of wine in her hand is such a beautiful sight. You deserve it, Mamacita.

Beverly is adjusting quite well, too. She has delegated cooking duties to Mrs. Kremp and 50 guests, pot-luck style. And even her meddling is appropriate and justified.

I may have mentioned it before (okay, I talk about it a lot), but Wendi McClendon-Covey as Beverly Goldberg is the best part of the show, and a great show at that.

Bevvie is not the only one in the house wearing shoulder pads this Thanksgiving; Uncle Marvin has gone full Gordon Gekko.

He, quite easily, ropes Barry and Erica into his stocks-trading, get-rich-quick scheme. It’s no surprise that Marvin gets involved with such a dubious venture. What is surprising is how well it works as a storyline.

My main complaint on The Goldbergs Season 5 Episode 6 was that the Marvin plot fell flat. “A Wall Street Thanksgiving” works much better even though the structure is similar. Marvin’s stock broker caricature is pretty funny whereas his commercial persona on the last episode was corny and trite.

Marvin’s Wall Street bit is written in such a way that the other subplots weave into it seamlessly. Adam and his E.T. Atari game, Erica and her credit card debt, and Barry rejecting his father’s career advice all play into Marvin’s latest “boneheaded idea.”

Erica: Before you get mad, just remember that the new Beverly is super chill and doesn’t mix in when her kids screw up.
Beverly: Oh, you mixed me right in when you stole my identity.
Erica: That’s only because my dopey uncle promised me riches in a fast and unrealistic way.
Marvin: How dare you disparage my good name. I run a reputable boiler room in the basement with a teenage clientele.

The culmination is all of them hurling passive-aggressive, sarcastic “I’m-Thankful-For” remarks at each other at the dinner table in front of their 50 guests.

It is holiday family bickering at its finest.

While the arguing is hilarious, the various resolutions are sincere. Barry and Erica learn the lessons we knew they would eventually, but seeing them gain some understanding about where their parents are coming from is particularly significant.

Barry: I don’t want to be the guy you always have to bail out.
Murray: Who do you want to be?
Barry: You.

The smile on Murray’s face as he walks away is so endearing.

Lots of laughs and heartfelt moments on this Thanksgiving episode of The Goldbergs, and I am thankful for it.

Stray Observations:

• “Schmoopaloo!” Beverly has two great pop-in scenes.
• Some of Marvin’s past ventures include Formal Pajamas, Baby College, Dogs For Dogs, Foot Mittens, and Ground Planes (“That’s just a bus!”).
• Hayley Orrantia as Erica is really good in the scenes with Rob Huebel who plays the Ninth National Bank scammer.
• “Why didn’t you tell us about that game, nerd?” “It’s literally all I’ve been talking about.” “You know we don’t listen when you speak.” I love this sibling exchange.
• “If my mom can become a better person so can I.” Aww, Beverly leading by example.
• The quickness with which Beverly forgives Erica makes me super teary. It is so precious.

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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