The Goldbergs Review: MTV Spring Break (Season 5 Episode 19)

Fur coats, knishes, and required bathing caps, oh my! It’s spring break on The Goldbergs Season 5 Episode 19, “MTV Spring Break.”

So, Pops has moved to Florida. It’s news to me. He was with us as recently as The Goldbergs Season 5 Episode 16, “Adam Spielberg.”

This change works well for the plot, and I can’t be too worried because The Goldbergs has shown me they can effectively carry on storylines with characters that are living out of town. It works with Erica, most importantly; but, also, they’ve done a good job of peppering Lainey back in, too.

“Look, there are no real adults here.”

This line sums up this episode (and real life, to be honest) perfectly. Adam acts like a responsible adult, Beverly and Murray behave like children, and Pops proves he will always be young at heart.

It is a poignant point to be made; and, in true Goldbergs fashion, it is delivered with hi-jinks and hilarity.

It is great to have Erica and Barry paired up for this adventure. Normally we see them in a typical sibling rivalry state, but here we get to see them join forces for the greater good: a fun spring break. The two of them scoffing at the rules of Pop’s retirement community is a riot.

Barry: I’m not going to wake up at the crack of dawn for a pool chair.
Erica: We have to, Barry. From now on, we come here at 5 a.m. and sit on a chaise in the darkness until the day starts.

Complaining about the rules is funny, but second to them actually breaking the rules. Set to the Beastie Boys’ “No Sleep Til Brooklyn,” Erica and Barry break into the pool and have a two-person rager with all the knishes their hearts desire.

Not only is this amusing, but it’s sweet to see them having such a good time together. Cue my feelings of being cursed as an only child.

They stick with each other throughout the rest of it, too—through the cops busting them, the jail time, and making it up to Pops. Erica and Barry get their crazy spring break vacation after all.

Speaking of crazy, Beverly and Murray lose it when Adam does the unthinkable and owns up to his mistake.

Their lie of the thief robbing the house takes such a wild turn, and it is my favorite thing on this episode.

Adam: We’ve got to call the police!
Murray: No, if you call the police, they said they would come back and kill you.
Adam: What?!
Beverly: What?!
Adam: You talked to them?
Murray: They left a note.
Adam: Where is it? That’s evidence.
Murray: It was written in blood on the wall.
Adam: I don’t want to live here anymore!

This is so hysterical to me. It has me in stitches. And all three of the actors’ delivery is perfection.

Fake home invasion aside, this subplot is really well done. The role reversal of parent and child was just done on The Goldbergs Season 5 Episode 18, “Colors,” with Beverly and Barry. This still feels fresh, though, and has a different vibe altogether.

Stray Observations:

• The knish story is so silly that it makes sense that it’s actually true!
• “Sweet mother of mercy, I hate Florida!”
• “It was scrawled in the blood message above your bed. So troubling.”
• “Everyone makes mistakes. You ruined a fur coat and we terrified you with a deadly home invasion.” I’m filing this under ‘Unorthodox Parenting Tactics.’

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 8/7c on ABC.

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