The Goldbergs Review: We Didn’t Start The Fire (Season 5 Episode 10)

The Goldbergs gives us a strong episode as a Hanukkah present with Season 5 Episode 10, “We Didn’t Start The Fire.”

This season of The Goldbergs has been great thus far, and “We Didn’t Start The Fire” is indicative of this achievement. It is non-stop laughs from start to finish with tons of nostalgia and holiday spirit thrown in.

There are two storylines: the Hanukkah war and the Billy Joel war. Each of these plots could have filled their own episodes, but it doesn’t feel cramped combining the two dynamic narratives. It’s very balanced, which seems like a difficult thing to accomplish.

An interesting twist on Beverly’s spiral into Smother-mode is that her instincts about the Schwartzes is right. It is set up to look like she is just going off the rails as she so often does. Revealing Mr. Schwartz to be a dad version of a Smother creates a unique clash.

However, Lou Schwartz (Ken Lerner) lacks the overwhelming charm of Beverly, and, in turn, comes off as a bit vindictive. It’s a little unsettling actually.

Also, this sidelines Linda Schwartz played by the wonderful Mindy Sterling. Sterling is a great comedic talent, and she is criminally underused in this episode. She is more of a glorified extra, and that is just unacceptable.

Despite these drawbacks, the battle for Hanukkah is hysterical. From Beverly’s light-up, musical menorah sweater to the rigged dreidel game, it is laugh-out-loud hilarity.

The Billy Joel storyline is equally as funny, and has none of the aforementioned shortcomings.

“We Didn’t Start The Fire” is such an iconic song that it doesn’t matter what your age is, you can appreciate the effort it takes to learn these epochal lyrics. Adam, being a right and proper nerd, stays up at all hours of the night trying to memorize them.

Adam: What is he saying?
Murray: He’s saying you’re a moron. Now go to bed, and also learn some history!

Not surprisingly, Barry does not go to these lengths. “Back before Google, it took patience and a good ear. Sadly, Barry had neither.”

His rehearsal with the wrong lyrics is fantastic. The speed in which the song plays adds to the humor, and Troy Gentile plays Barry’s inadequacy well.

Just when I think this plot can’t get any better, they throw in Abbott and Costello’s “Who’s On First.” The idea of having someone explain this comedy routine to thick-skulled Barry is genius.

The addition of “Who’s On First” to this storyline is nostalgic for me because my dad had the two of us learn it when I was a kid. I think it is incredible that The Goldbergs can use something that happened way before the 80s and still transport me to my childhood.

Also, the rare pair-up of Pops and Barry is nice, and that they acknowledge that it is rare.

Barry: You take love advice from our old grandpa who uses an entire tin of cream cheese on one bagel?
Adam: He helps me everyday. You’re just realizing that now?
Barry: That’s why you’re always chatting him up?
Adam: What did you think I was doing?
Barry: I thought you were trying to get his gold.
Adam: He doesn’t have any gold.
Barry: All old people have gold.
Adam: The gold is his wisdom.

The Billy Joel war gets settled in the most perfect way with Adam and Barry performing an epic song about the school set to “We Didn’t Start The Fire,” complete with Barry literally starting a fire.

Stray Observations:

• “It’s like Billy Joel is singing but also rapping.” “No, it’s like he’s rapping but also singing.”
• “Schmear me with knowledge, old timer.”
• Ken Lerner is Sam Lerner’s real life dad. The two play father and son, Lou and Geoff, on this episode.
• Jamie Weisman is back!
• The tag scene with the light-up sweater in the dark is amazing. “This is my worst nightmare!”

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 Wednesday at 8/7c on ABC.

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