The Goldbergs Review: The Living Room: A 100 Percent True Story (Season 6 Episode 8)

On The Goldbergs Season 6 Episode 8, “The Living Room: A 100 Percent True Story,” the family faces Beverly and Murray’s mortality in truly strange ways.

The title includes the 100 percent true story claim because it would be hard to believe that the details of this were true. The story as a whole is believable and funny, but it’s the weird, specific details that really make it stand out. 

Those owls are the real MVP of this episode.

The sound effect every time they cut to them and the fact that Beverly pretended to be a science teacher in order to get them is just too good. Oh, and don’t forget the actual dead owl fight. Beverly, Erica, and Adam chucking these poor taxidermy owls at each other as Beverly yells “How dare you?!” is not something you think you would ever see, and, yet, The Goldbergs comes through with this uniquely comical situation.

Wendi McClendon-Covey as Beverly shines in all aspects of this storyline. She does the real-life elements justice, makes the entire auction bit hysterical, and plays the Yenta guilt card with aplomb. Among the many highlights of this episode, Beverly pricing her “heirlooms” is a great moment.

The auctioneer is a major added bonus to that scene as well. Jonathan Schmock, who played the Chez Quis maitre d’ in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, is so fantastic. “Anyone want to be a part of this lady’s upsetting history? Anyone?”

Side note: You CAN be a part of the real Beverly’s upsetting history. She’s auctioning off pieces from the actual living room, and I think Adam F. Goldberg is trying to unload that red velvet “sitting opportunity,” I mean, sofa. 

While the living room plot is dripping with humor, the Murray/Barry storyline is full of heart, but it also comes complete with laughs and nostalgia. I remember all those health fads from the 80s and this episode really plays on that feeling. We had a Bowflex, and I recall some strange all-soup diet my mom put us on. 

The heartfelt part of this plot is quite unexpected and done very well.

Matt Bradley is the catalyst to get Barry to open up to his father, and the course it all takes is funny and genuine—first, with the “weird play,” featuring Slim Fast, the JTP puts on for Murray, which does not go according to plan. “You just added a ton of milkshakes to your dad’s diet!” And then the cringe-worthy yet beautiful unloading of Barry’s feelings.

The editing of this scene really showcases the uncomfortable and necessary aspect of speaking from the heart. There are a lot of people in this scene, and they all add to it in a definitive way.

The final voiceover sums it up nicely and applies to both storylines: “Telling the truth is the healthiest way to communicate.”

Another great thing about this episode is that the whole family gets equal screen time (well, besides Pops). Erica and Adam have their sibling squabble over the non-existent family inheritance—Hayley Orrantia and Sean Giambrone really nail the physical part of it. And Barry finally has a meaty plot after being sidelined for the last three episodes. 

Even secondary characters Matt Bradley and Coach Mellor get a well-deserved fair share. A special shout out to Shayne Topp as Matt Bradley, who continues to be the best member of the JTP, and somehow becomes more endearing with every line of dialogue.  

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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