The Goldbergs Review: The Circle Of Driving Again (Season 5 Episode 8)

On The Goldbergs Season 5 Episode 8, “The Circle Of Driving Again,” learning and personal growth is a family affair.

Pops, Beverly, and Murray all play a part in teaching Adam how to drive, and they, in turn, learn a little something, too.

Meanwhile at college, Erica gets a lesson on how to make it through her higher education without losing herself in the process.

Her teacher is the most unlikely of people: Barry Goldberg.

Shocking as that is, it actually makes a lot of sense. I can see college kids getting a kick out of Big Tasty. “Turns out being overly confident and unembarrassable got him mocked in high school, but in college he quickly became the life of the party.”

This dynamic allows two of my favorite versions of these characters to make an appearance: Wise Barry and Hates Everything Erica.

Barry can be pretty insightful sometimes whether it’s by accident or not. I really love the wisdom he imparts to Erica on this episode.

Erica: No one likes me here. I don’t even like me here.
Barry: Then it’s time you show them the Erica we all know back home.
Erica: How? High school was so easy. I didn’t even have to try to make friends.
Barry: I get it. It’s new and it’s scary, but I guarantee if you put yourself out there everyone will love the real Erica Goldberg.

I’m not crying, you are.

This gets through to Erica, and she drops the attitude. I do love when Hates Everything Erica comes out to play, though, even if it’s just for a bit. Hayley Orrantia does it so well.

Valley Erica: Maybe you should join a club for freshman who hate everything.
Erica: Great. Where’s that table?

Orrantia’s delivery is great, and complements Valley Erica’s sarcasm (or is it just how she talks?).

All in all, this brother-sister journey is funny and heartfelt.

The rest of the family also goes through quite a journey, as well—one which includes an Essie Karp story, so you know it’s epic.

Seriously, I’m ready for an Essie Karp spin-off. Who’s with me?

This storyline is jam-packed (almost as full as Barry’s Bag of College) with action and laughs. It has car stunts, snickerdoodles, Essie Karp’s pool man, and road pirates.

That’s right, road pirates.

Beverly: You always wear a seat belt. Why?
Adam: Because of the road pirates.
Pops: What the hell are road pirates?
Adam: They’re like sea pirates, but instead of plundering ships they plunder mid-size sedans and hatchbacks.
Beverly: That’s right. Without a belt they’ll just reach right through the window and yank you out of the car.
Murray: What are these words? What are you teaching him when I’m not around?

Each family member learns something in this endeavor to teach Adam how to drive.

Beverly and Murray realize some of their parenting methods could use some work, Pops comes to terms with ending his automobile independence, and Adam steps up to face a fear and a responsibility of growing up.

I do love when the family comes together in this way, and “The Circle Of Driving Again” exemplifies this.

Stray Observations: 

• “I could get a stop sign through the heart.”
• My favorite items in the Bag of College are the jean shorts, the fake hundred dollar bill attached to a quarter mile of string, the foam hand, and the oyster crackers.
• “I snickered up a batch of doodles.” I want to make snickerdoodles just so I can say this.
• “These stories didn’t teach him to be cautious, they just terrified a very gullible, anxious child.” It’s like he’s describing me as a kid.
• “No one wants to hear your objective opinion based on facts, Dad.”
• Essie Karp’s pool man is a superhero.
• “He scoops in the fall and skims in the summer!”

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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