The Goldbergs Review: You Got Zuko’d (Season 6 Episode 2)

On The Goldbergs Season 6 Episode 2, “You Got Zuko’d,” food and movies help solve the love woes of the Goldberg boys.

Food is how the Goldberg family expresses love, so it’s not surprising that it becomes a point of contention for the young engaged couple. It’s also no surprise that Beverly leads the charge in this area of their lives.

A whole storyline about Beverly’s cooking is, honestly, overdue. I would watch every single minute of the woman using all 53 (or is it 54?) ingredients to make Pork Parm Wellington.

The episode starts off with a montage of Beverly saying “shrimp parm” thus setting up an episode of Goldberg culinary gold.

And it does not disappoint.

While I would be down for the plot to be solely about Beverly’s cooking, I am delighted at how they incorporated Barry and Lainey’s relationship into it. It’s really very ingenious, and the writing backs it up.

Couples should get on the same page about this kind of thing. Barry does some soul searching in a way only Barry can which is to say it’s not that deep, but the conclusion he comes to is genuine and the one we as the viewers are hoping he will reach.

Barry: She wants an equal partnership while I want her to tend to my needs for the rest of our days. There’s no right or wrong here.
Beverly: A good relationship needs a lot of give and take, Barry.
Barry: Why can’t it be like you and dad? You know, where you give and he takes.
Murray: I’ve heard enough, moron. Not all marriages are the same. Stop worrying about what you want to take and start thinking about what you want to give.

Just like any good sitcom from the 80s there is a heartfelt, family-friendly message, and that’s what this is. Barry takes the hallowed recipe box and says, “Cooking is how our family shows love, right? So now it’s time that I show Lainey how much I love her.”

It is just so dang sweet!

And to top it off he asks Beverly to help teach him to cook. I really love the journey Barry goes through from being incredibly selfish (and kind of misogynistic) to a caring and gracious future husband. The quickness with which it happens (and that it happens at all) may not be very realistic, but this is a sitcom and I’ll take all the sappiness and silliness they throw at me.

He runs to Lainey with a Pork Parm Wellington in his arms while Billy Idol’s “White Wedding” plays. That’s pretty sappy and silly, and definitely 80s, and, most importantly, highly Goldberg-esque. These are the main qualities I enjoy onThe Goldbergs, and it’s great when they are showcased so well in one cohesive storyline.

Now onto the other storyline.

First things first, Adam has a new girlfriend! Well, not a new girlfriend—it’s the same character, but played by a different actor. I’m not sure if her punk makeover is written in because of this, but it’s clever.

Even more clever is the way they mention this change within the dialogue.

Dave Kim: Dude, is it me or did your lady go away for the summer and come back a totally different person?

I really did love Rowan Blanchard as Jackie #1, but this jarring change actually works. It’s mainly due to the use of the plot of Grease to ease us into the transition. Alex G. Zall does a great job as Jackie #2 as well.

Just as Barry understands things through food, Adam understands things through movies. Adam goes through a similar journey as his big bro which is just as silly and unrealistic, but sweet, too.

And I kind of dig Punk!Adam.

The drag race is absurd, but it’s a nice denouement to the whole Grease connection, as is the final scene at the Bazaarnival.

It does feel like it’s missing a musical number, though.

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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