The Goldbergs Review: Grand Theft Scooter (Season 9 Episode 19)
In thinking about The Goldbergs Season 9 Episode 19, “Grand Theft Scooter,” I keep coming back to one question.
Why?
One of the main stories on this episode involves Beverly buying Adam and Brea a trip to Miami as an early graduation gift, but it is actually a ploy to get them to Florida to help her pack up Pop’s condo, which she hasn’t been able to do yet.
While there, Beverly meets Pop’s secret girlfriend, Charlotte, and has to face that she might not have known her father as well as she thought.
As a summary, that sounds all well and good.
But… why?
First, why does Pops have a condo in Miami? He is always seen with his family in Pennsylvania. How does he have a place in Florida?
Am I missing a detail somewhere? Or is Miami chosen in the month of April, conveniently to coincide with Adam and Brea’s Spring Break, incentivizing the trip?
Also, why now?
MIMI KENNEDY
I know the obvious answer is that The Goldbergs writers need to fill a season with episodes, but Pops (and the late George Segal) passed away a while ago, at the end of Season 8, in fact.
If “Grand Theft Scooter” had been flushed out, it could have been a good season premiere episode instead, especially since it seems as if Beverly needs time to grieve her father.
Piggybacking off that, why introduce Charolette? Pops was a notorious womanizer in his later years. Did they have an open relationship or was he finally settling down in his apparent life in Florida?
I hope the answer is to, ultimately, help Beverly cope.
The two special women in Pop’s life finally come together in peace and common ground in the last scene of the episode, but, unless The Goldbergs plan to bring Mimi Kennedy back to guest star more often, they could have gotten to the heart of the matter quicker, instead of wasting time on finding a scooter. (Again…why?)
They say the best comedy comes from drama, and there are moments on “Grand Theft Scooter” where Wendi McLendon-Covey is on the verge of tears. It is masked and hidden with shenanigans, but something deeper is there.
I want to believe that’s true.
Otherwise…why?
The Goldbergs is capable of so much more than this, and it saddens me when something seems sloppily put together.
However, I would like to highlight the single best line in the entire episode, courtesy of the other plot.
After finding out Erica lied about bombing her LSATs and is danger of not getting into law school, Barry takes one excellent shot at his sister.
Barry: That’s okay, Erica. Lying’s not against the law. Or is it? You wouldn’t know.
Troy Gentile’s delivery is just perfect.
What did you think of this episode of The Goldbergs? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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The Goldbergs airs Wednesday at 8/7 on ABC.
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TJ O'Connell
TJ is a former east coaster, now residing in Los Angeles. There's a very good chance he has served your food sometime over the last twelve years. Since childhood, he has had a running IMDb in his head and is thankful to finally have an outlet for that information. He is very single and hopes to someday support a dog.