The Goldbergs - So Swayze It's Crazy / The Kara-te Kid - Double Review

So Swayze It's Crazy

This episode was one of my favorites this season, and I hoped you all enjoyed it, too. I truly liked all of the story lines, and I think it had something for everyone.

Let's start with Adam since he was the reason the episode was called "So Swayze It's Crazy." Adam decides it's time to put together his acting reel and shows it to his mom. Of course Beverly thinks it's amazing, and she visits Edie Robb to try to get him booked. Edie thinks Adam would be perfect for Meatballs 2, but Beverly argues that her son is not a nerd, he's a Swayze. She ends up leaving the agency and lies to Adam by telling him Edie said he was a Swayze. She sets up a photoshoot to prove Edie wrong, but the photographs just prove that Adam is a nerd. Adam learns that Beverly lied to him and caused him to miss out on an audition.

Beverly does apologize to Adam and tells him that if the rest of the world sees him as a nerd then he should be the best nerd he can be. I loved the ending where Adam says he's going to focus on writing after Beverly makes plans for him to audition for Meatballs 3. I also loved that the photographer was the real R.D. Robb from A Christmas Story. I always watch that movie at Christmas, and I'm glad The Goldbergs incorporated it into this episode.

While Adam had his own story this week, Barry and Erica's were kind of intertwined. Lainey tricks Barry into wanting to be punk so he asks the resident punk, Matt, for help. I laughed at Barry wanting Matt to be his "mentos". Matt shows up at the Goldbergs' house, and Murray thinks "Weird Fonzi" is there for Erica. This leads to Erica getting mad at her father for not knowing anything about her life including that she's in love with Geoff. He doesn't even know who Geoff is!

Murray makes things worse because he mistakes Dave Kim for Geoff, and Dave professes his love for Erica in the lunchroom. She is absolutely humiliated, but I thought this was hilarious. How did Murray think Erica loved Dave? Erica yells at Murray, and he feels sad (even if he has trouble saying it.) Pops helps him learn about her, but he accidentally lets Geoff know that she loves him.

While Geoff is processing this information, Barry dyes his hair which ends in disaster. It turns a weird gold color, and he has to wear an eye patch because the dye got in his eyes. He looks like a pirate, and he looks ridiculous. He should stick to just being him. Punk is definitely not a good look on him.

Erica and Geoff have a talk and decide they can't be together. Then they both change their minds, and run towards each other and kiss. This reminded me of a really cheesy chick flick, and I'm totally okay with that. I loved it, and I'm so glad Geoff knows the truth now. And they are adorable.

I think out of all the relationships on the show Erica and Murray are my favorite. I'm glad that she thanked and hugged her father. It was touching. Also: I love that Erica's middle name is Dorothy, and Murray had to read that off the flash card.


The Kara-te Kid

I wasn't as fond of "The Kara-te Kid" as I was "So Swayze It's Crazy." I think that it's because I'm not a huge fan of the Karate Kid. I also thought parts of this episode were too over the top.

Adam writes a review of The Karate Kid for the school paper, but he forgot to add the "F" to his name. The other Adam Goldberg is super mad and wants Adam to change his name. Beverly calls the other Adam's mom and wants him to go by "A.J." Now the other Adam wants to beat up Adam. Adam asks Barry for help, and they go to their uncle to learn karate. Except their uncle doesn't really know karate, and they end up just doing chores.

Beverly takes control over the karate club and makes Adam and Barry face each other. She wants Barry to take out Adam, and he does. But after an inspiring speech by Murray he decides to face the other Adam. It turns out the other Adam doesn't know karate. The two have a heart to heart and decide they don't hate each other. The two pretend to fight, and it ends in a tie. Neither one has to change their name.

I thought this was way over the top and a little ridiculous. The music, the fake fighting, all of it. I know this show does cheesy things all the time (like the Erica and Geoff kiss), but I wish they would have toned this down a bit. Just my opinion. I am glad that the two Adam's finally worked things out. I wonder if this is the last we'll hear about the other Adam Goldberg.

Erica and Geoff end up making out in the music room. He says he's going to break up with Evie, but she says he says that every day. Geoff accidentally tells Evie about him and Erica, and then they fight over whether or not they are the bad guys in this situation. Erica decides that she can't be with Geoff. It's not right to be together if it hurts Evie. They will wait until the time is right. It was sad seeing them not be together, but I'm not surprised. This is TV after all, and every couple that's meant to be together always takes forever to work out all their issues.

I hope it doesn't take too much longer for Erica and Geoff to be together. I love them, but I definitely agree with Erica, and I respect her decision.

What did you think about these two episodes? Were you like me and enjoyed "So Swayze It's Crazy" more or were you a fan of "The Kara-te Kid"? How do you feel about Erica and Geoff? Did you like the other Adam Goldberg? Leave a comment and let me know!