The Goldbergs Review: The Scrunchie Rule (Season 5 Episode 17)

On The Goldbergs Season 5 Episode 17, “The Scrunchie Rule,” the Ericas get into a fight and the Bevolution has a major setback.

I was just trying to improve my life by reading a book on boundaries. Did you know I love you too much?

This sums up the Bevolution perfectly.

Beverly takes everything to the extreme, including her failures. She’s bound to hit obstacles, and a lot of them are self-imposed, like the one she sets up for herself on this episode. But, her backslide is hilarious, and Murray helps her work through it. So, I’d say this is a win for the Bevolution.

Beverly doing her smothering to two grown men who, in turn, take on the roles of her children is so far out there, yet it works because of the comedy. Both the writing and the acting make it a funny storyline. Wendi McClendon-Covey, Bryan Callen, and Bill Goldberg give understated performances with material that could’ve gone very slapstick-y.

I think Beverly’s realization that she is having a smother meltdown is the best part of it. With the help of Murray and Adam (and with the Mellor brothers playing along so readily), she grasps the severity of the fiasco she’s created.

Your mom is going through some stuff.

After his initial irritation, Murray approaches her compassionately. He knows exactly why she’s doing this, and he understands because he feels the pangs of their impending empty nest syndrome, too. Once he tells her that, she feels less alone. And then he cooks her dinner, showing her that some change can be good.

Erica also takes her reaction to annoyances in her living situation too far. Like mother like daughter. And like Beverly’s situation, the ridiculousness results in well-balanced hilarity.

The “angry dorm room stand-off” is executed skillfully, bringing a nice mish-mash of characters into some really funny scenes.

I’m sorry I lured half of my high school up here.

I’m not. It’s great.

The only person missing, in my opinion, is Srini the RA. He is referenced, but does not appear, leaving the Ericas to sort out their problems on their own—which they do in a nice one-on-one scene away from the chaos they devised.

Two storylines that could’ve easily been absurd and silly turn out to be just the right kind of Goldbergs humor, giving viewers a fun episode.

Stray Observations:

• It is perhaps not the best night for me to watch Beverly “replace” her kids after watching that X-Files series finale.
• Coach Mellor’s injury is pretty severe. Yikes.
• This is a good way to bring Lainey back for a nice cameo.
• “I’m off to Dave Kim’s. He just got Super Mario Brothers 3, so chances are I’m coming home Sunday night with some wicked Nintendo thumb.” This is my childhood. Super Mario Brothers 3 was my jam.

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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