The Goldbergs Review: Hersheypark (Season 6 Episode 4)
On The Goldbergs Season 6 Episode 4, “Hersheypark,” it’s a war between the parents and their kids with Beverly’s guilt letters being the ultimate weapon.
Just as Beverly’s cooking brought her wacky, off-beat charm to The Goldbergs Season 6 Episode 2, “You Got Zuko’d,” this episode centers around another weird mom thing of hers, the guilt letter.
WENDI MCLENDON-COVEY
The crafting of one of these “crazy mom manifestos” is no simple feat as the other parents quickly learn. The show utilizes one of its go-to comedic tactics to illustrate the complexity of this weapon of parental warfare: the chalkboard. Every member of the family uses this to explain their outlandish plans.
It’s a clever way to pack in a multitude of jokes and gives the actor ample opportunity to showcase the quirkiness of their character. Beverly tries to lay down the complicated structure to the fellow parents who have been ostracized from chaperoning school field trips, and it’s easily the highlight of the episode.
SCOTT ADSIT, SUZY NAKAMURA, EMILY MCCOY, JENNIFER IRWIN
From “guilt grabber” to “hurtful specifics” to marking the paper with actual tears, Beverly has perfected this form of child manipulation. Things go south once the kids learn of their parents’ trickery and Beverly’s glory days of guilt-tripping Adam are over.
To be honest, I am kind of sad that this reign of hers ends, but it does get Beverly and Adam to talk, and that is sweet. Also, the scene on the rollercoaster where they hash it out in between passing out is hysterical. Kudos to Wendi McClendon-Covey and Sean Giambrone for making that work so well.
JACOB HOPKINS, SEAN GIAMBRONE, KENNY RIDWAN, STEPHANIE KATHERINE GRANT
These guilt letters are awesome and I love that they get their moment in this episode. And it’s even better learning that they are a real thing that the real Beverly used on her kids. Wendi McClendon-Covey reads one of these 12-page letters written 20 years ago:
Not only am I ashamed to have such a cruel, selfish son, but I may never sleep again knowing I have failed as a mother.
JENNIFER IRWIN, SCOTT ADSIT, WENDI MCLENDON-COVEY, SUZY NAKAMURA, EMILY MCCOY
The Adam storyline isn’t the only one that pits kid against parent. Geoff is the focal point of this plot as he employs Murray as his mentor in trying to figure out his future. Murray gives him the much needed push to stop being an accommodating doormat.
It’s a difficult journey for Geoff, but it is nice to see. It is satisfying watching him stand up to Barry, and for it not to be a fallout among the JTP, just a short spat. Erica sums it all up perfectly:
Geoff: The whole New Geoff thing, it’s just not who I am.
Erica: Look, you don’t know who you are, and that’s okay, ’cause I don’t know who I am either.
Geoff: C’mon, you’ve got it all figured out.
Erica: Dude, I have no idea what I’ll end up doing with my life. All I can do is follow my heart. And I love seeing you finally doing the same.
JACOB HOPKINS, STEPHANIE KATHERINE GRANT, SEAN GIAMBRONE, KENNY RIDWAN, ALEXIS G. ZALL
It’s interesting that the show branches out and focuses on Geoff rather than a Goldberg kid. The juxtaposition of Barry interning with Geoff’s dad is great and makes Geoff’s development shine. Sam Lerner does a fantastic job as Geoff, and the scenes with his real/TV dad (Ken Lerner) are an added bonus.
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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Erin Allen
Erin is a former script supervisor for film and television. She's an avid fan of middle aged actresses, dark dramas, and irreverent comedies. She loves to read actual books and X-Files fan fiction. Her other passions include pointing out feminist issues, shipping Mulder and Scully, and collecting pop culture mugs.