The Goldbergs Review: Breakin’ (Season 6 Episode 23)
On The Goldbergs finale, Season 6 Episode 23, “Breakin’,” Barry graduates high school and summer plans are made.
The only thing about this episode that makes it a finale (besides that it is the final episode of the season) is the subject matter. It just doesn’t seem to have a finale feel to it. Not much in the way of big and grand really happens, and it doesn’t even really seem final even though major changes are happening with Erica, Barry, and the JTP going off to college next year.
HAYLEY ORRANTIA, SAM LERNER
They’ve gone out big in the past, and I guess I am expecting that now. The Goldbergs Season 5 Episode 23, “Let’s Val Kilmer This Car,” is a great example of a proper finale. On the other hand, The Goldbergs Season 4 Episode 24, “Graduation Day,” is also a bit lackluster in the finale department, but it at least has a sense of finality running through it.
One problem I think the writers are contending with is the repetition of storylines. We’ve gone through a high school graduation before with Erica, and we’ve had a whole episode around The Grateful Dead as well. The Goldbergs Season 4 Episode 17, “Deadheads,” is actually one of my favorite episodes, and it marks the point when Matt Bradley joins the JTP. Apparently, the writers still have more Dead jokes, so the Erica plot focuses on her summer plans to be following them around in a van with Geoff.
HAYLEY ORRANTIA, SAM LERNER
I mean, I’d choose to hang out with Matt Bradley all summer, too, but this resolution to Geoff’s stress problem is a little bit of a stretch—just harebrained enough to go from delightfully silly to unbelievable.
Something does need to be done about Geoff’s anxiety and tendency to overextend, although this seems like a weird route to take. I do like that Erica is not being selfish. It shows that some of that development over the year is sticking.
Diversely, Beverly is selfish and smother-y, and that consistency is comforting. The story works, but it does feel out of left field the entire time.
WENDI MCLENDON-COVEY
The main plot centers around Barry, and his story makes total sense. Of course, he fudged his community service hours and, of course, Adam screws that up for him. This is the type of thing a little brother should involuntarily do knowing his big bro won’t be around next year.
This forces them into spending time together to right both of their wrongs and give us (and them) one last great high school adventure. So, I suppose, there is a bit of finality in that, but the breakdancing fundraiser falls flat, kind of taking the air out their big send-off.
JEFF GARLIN, WENDI MCLENDON-COVEY
Even as I shrug my shoulders and say “meh” to this finale, I still find myself laughing and enjoying these characters. The jokes and the performances often exceed the plots; I prefer it, though, when the stories are just as strong. Especially for a finale episode.
What did you think of the Season 6 finale of The Goldbergs? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
WENDI MCLENDON-COVEY
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The Goldbergs airs Wednesdays at 8/7c 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.