The Goldbergs Review: The Opportunity Of A Lifetime (Season 5 Episode 21)

The Goldbergs can take something I’m not interested in (sports) and make it entertaining, which is what they do on Season 5 Episode 21, “The Opportunity of a Lifetime.” It’s not really about the baseball or the pitch at all, it’s about the support of family, and how that support can take different forms.

We see this in the role reversal between Beverly and Murray. The two of them are in such foreign territory in the other’s shoes that they hit some big obstacles along the way. Beverly even needs it explained to her, which Coach Mellor does so eloquently.

Coach Mellor: Sports goggles are when a father gets so swept up by the promise of his son’s athleticism, he’s unable to see his own child’s limitations […] It’s not unlike the thick mom goggles that you strap on everyday that prevent you from seeing the staggering mediocrity of your children.

Beverly struggles with this because it goes against her very nature. She doesn’t squash her children’s dreams, she spoon-feeds them unrealistic ideas and praise like it’s shrimp parm. But even as she grapples with this uncomfortable concept, she kind of nails it.

Not that she would be happy about it, but she’s good at not believing in Barry—most likely because it comes from a place of love just like the smothering support does. She guides Barry and Murray to the point of realization, and she does it gently. Beverly not being supportive is actually very sweet.

That doesn’t stop them from hilariously pointing it out. She takes the criticism like a champ, too.

Barry: Dad believed in me too much and you didn’t believe in me at all.
Beverly: That was a shocking change of pace.

This main story is the focus, but something major happens in the subplot. Erica decides to drop out of college to pursue a music career.

This choice, like this storyline is risky.  It pays off on this episode, but only time will tell if it pays off for Erica.

Some dreams are too crazy to follow and others you’d be crazy to ignore, and it’s fun to see both kinds of dreams play out side by side on this episode.

Stray Observations:

• I love Lainey’s appearance on this episode.
• “Fashion school was such a mistake. I like buying clothes and the wearing them part, but making my own sucks because I have to do the sewing.”
• I also love that Valley Erica is included in their group. The three of them are fun together.
• “I air drum to Genesis all the time, and I’m, like, sick at it.”
• Bob Ross reference!
• The Tangles’ gig at CBGBs is pretty far fetched.
• “Don’t pitch.” “Did you just call me a dumb bitch?” My favorite moment, by far, because it’s so unexpected.
• “It’s more like tap dancing than sports.” -Adam, about his Nintendo Power Pad

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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