The Goldbergs Review: Adam Spielberg (Season 5 Episode 16)

On The Goldbergs Season 5 Episode 16, “Adam Spielberg,” brings adventure to amateur filmmaking and cheesesteaks!

This episode has me Indiana Jonesing for a Philly cheesesteak and to finally start that screenplay I’ve been meaning to write. “Adam Spielberg” is imbued with the adventurous spirit for which Steven Spielberg’s movies are known. The result is fun and inspiring.

It also touches on the impact of our parents—whether they are supporting (or smothering) or challenging, they can still motivate and uplift us. Beverly and Murray provide examples of both of these approaches.

In an attempt to get future credit for Adam’s successes, Beverly sets aside her Bevolution to become a smother again. A role she falls back into seamlessly.

Beverly: You can’t deny my love and support, Adam. One day I will make everyone that works for you very uncomfortable with my intrusive energy.

Her over-the-top meddling is not what drives Adam to his melt down, but it does give her the opportunity to be there for him and help him make sense of it. It’s one of those rare times where her smothering doesn’t create the problem, it just fixes it.

Murray does the opposite of Beverly. He writes off Barry as a moron which emboldens Barry to prove him wrong. Sometimes that is just the thing to spark our drive.

Barry does a lot of moronic things along the way, but when he starts to agree with his dad, Murray lifts him up. He can be discouraging at times, but it’s out of love and a desire to light the fire within Barry.

Murray: A father’s job is to help make sure his kids grow up to make smart choices.

He knows he can’t force those choices on Barry, but he can try to guide him in his own unique way.

Sure this episode is full of cheesesteaks and Indiana Jones jokes, but there’s so much more to it. It’s about figuring out who you are and what you want to be, and the people that help you with that along the way.

The Goldbergs always gives us a lot of heart wrapped up in a hilariously funny package.

Stray Observations:

• The Goonies with octopus bootleg. Back then this was a treasure.
• The kids who remade Indiana Jones shot for shot are real. There’s a documentary about them trying to finish it years later called Raiders!: The Story of the Greatest Fan Film Ever Made.
• “You looked around the room and you came up with a title!”
• I want a Philly cheesesteak so bad.
• “The Hoagie Grail” is a brilliant pun.
• Of course Beverly should be his craft service. Duh!
• I love Erica’s song. It’s so catchy! “I’m Indiana Jonesing for your body.”
• “You are my little Stevie Spiel-boopy.”

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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