The Goldbergs Review: Colors (Season 5 Episode 18)

It’s the JTP versus the Frentas on The Goldbergs Season 5 Episode 18, “Colors.”

Last time we saw the Frentas, they were just forming their mom squad on The Goldbergs Season 5 Episode 11, “The Goldberg Girls.” Now they are a tight knit group of gals ready to take on the likes of the notorious JTP.

This is a great way to explore the mother-son relationship of two people who are so scarily similar with their big personalities. Not only is it fascinating, but it’s also hilarious. Especially the role reversal bit—Beverly as the petulant teen, and Barry, well, as Barry.

Barry: Well, you know what I think? Those friends of yours are a bad influence.
Beverly: Please, you don’t even know ’em.
Barry: Believe me, I’ve lived a long time, I know a bad apple when I see one.
Beverly: Pfft, I can be friends with whoever I want!
Barry: Don’t you walk away from me, young lady mom!

Furthermore, we get to see the inner dynamics of each group which is highly entertaining. Matt Bradley (Shayne Topp) further cements himself as my favorite JTP member, and the most sensible one.

His inability to not call out Barry’s offensiveness and how their situation is not like the movie Colors in any way is the highlight of the episode for me.

Matt Bradley: Um guys, your plan is predicated on the idea that these moms love cooking and cleaning, and I don’t think they do.
Barry: Buzzkill Bradley strikes again.
Geoff: What does predicated even mean?

The Frentas are not immune to squad squabbles either. Before Barry gets a chance to sabotage them, they get there on their own by dropping some hard to hear truth bombs about each other’s kids. We get to see a little bit more of the ladies’ personalities as well as their perceptions of the kids.

I love this group of women, and for them to be the main focus of another episode is truly a treat.

The Adam-Murray storyline is very sweet, but I think it could’ve been cooler if Murray did end up liking musical theater. I can see why it went this way, and Murray struggling to sit through five minutes of Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat is pretty comical; although how funny would it be to see him singing along or digging the craftsmanship of the sets or something. However, it’s a nice subplot to supplement the friend group feud.

Stray Observations:

• It’s great how they fit Erica into this episode and acknowledge how it’s a bit of a stretch sometimes to keep her in the household loop.
• “I invented emotional blackmail and guilt. That’s my jam.”
• Since when is Coach Mellor dating Ms. Cinoman?! I mean, I can ship it, but that comes out of nowhere, right?
• Mellor talking about his love of Cats is great, and they do this camera push-in thing that was so funny with the wood shop teacher on The Goldbergs Season 5 Episode 13, “The Hooters.”
• “We built a gazebo—that’s French for ‘eat sh*t.'” This gets the best line award for this episode.
• “It’s like West Side Story on ice!”

What did you think of this episode of The Goldbergs? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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The Goldbergs airs Wednesdays at 8/7 on ABC.

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