The Goldbergs – Sixteen Candles

By starrymag | October 2, 2018

By: Ariba Bhuvad

 

ABC’s “The Goldbergs” is back and, honestly, there are so many reasons to celebrate besides well, Adam’s 16th birthday, of course. This feel-good comedy that takes back into the 80’s has made a name for itself over the past five seasons and we are looking forward to where the sixth season takes us.

 

“The Goldbergs” is known for its oodles of 80’s references be it pop culture, toys, food, trends, etc. But the Season 6 premiere took it back to one of the most iconic movies of the 80’s–Sixteen Candles. It’s hard to believe but Adam (Sean Giambrone) is turning sixteen years old and while he loves the movie, he doesn’t exactly expect it to come true on his 16th birthday.

 

But, alas, it does and his day begins with everyone forgetting that it’s his birthday. He begins to live out his version of Sixteen Candles with the help of Erica (Hayley Orrantia), who doesn’t remember it’s his birthday until the very end. Ouch.

 

Of course, the episode begins in 1980-something and Adam is prepping for what he hopes to be an epic birthday just like a John Hughes film. The unfortunate parts of that vision come true when his family forgets it’s his birthday, but he does get a pretty stellar party along the way.

 

Not only did this episode focus on Adam, but we also got an insight into some future planning for Barry (Troy Gentile) and Lainey (AJ Michalka) with which (as always) Beverly (Wendi McLendon-Covey) wants to meddle. Given how young they are, their parents are not on board with this decision to get married so young and it’s left to Beverly to “handle” the situation.

 

After realizing that Barry, Erica and his parents are completely preoccupied with something else other than special day, Adam heads to school only to be convinced by his friends to throw a huge party, just like the one from Sixteen Candles. Who better to get party advice from then Pops (George Segal) who, unfortunately, gives them less-than-ideal suggestions for a party so they head to Erica to get help.

 

This is perfect timing for Erica who is in a bit of a predicament herself with the outrageous electric bill she’s racked up. Not realizing it’s Adam’s birthday, she decides to help him out and then plans for him to get caught by their parents so the attention is diverted from her to him. It’s a pretty sour move to make on someone’s birthday, isn’t it?

 

It also looks like the “Bevolution” is officially over because Beverly is in full smother mode. After learning about Barry and Lainey’s intention to get married she decides to threaten them with the responsibilities of adulthood, like buying a house. However, Lainey and Barry get one up on her when they start talking about grandchildren, which brings Beverly over to their side.

 

Despite the fact that children wouldn’t be in the immediate future, Beverly can’t think of anything but but her future grandchildren and goes along with anything Barry and Lainey wants or says. In order to get the family out of the house, Erica convinces them all to go to Atlantic City to figure out what the future holds. Secretly, Erica hopes that they will return home just in time to catch Adam throwing a rager party.

 

When Beverly shares that once Barry and Lainey have kids she will move in with them, it is enough to freak Lainey out as she begins to question the whole situation. Then, Barry tells Beverly the worst news she could ever hear–if she doesn’t stop the smothering it will be no grandchildren for her.  Murray (Jeff Garlin) steps in and saves the day as he explains to Lainey that while Beverly is overwhelming, she’s also someone that will go above and beyond for you. Murray promises to always think of Lainey as family and Beverly pops up from her hiding place to apologize.

 

It seems like everything is coming together, that is until Beverly realizes they have forgotten Adam’s birthday. Meanwhile, back at the house the party is going strong but the entire Goldberg home is in a mess with everything from people wearing Beverly’s clothes to a hole in the ceiling. When it all gets too overwhelming, Adam asks Erica to say it was her party, which wouldn’t exactly bode well for her considering the electricity bill.

 

Matters get worse when Adam realizes that Erica didn’t remember it was his birthday either and that the party was just a way to get him in trouble. Adam calls Erica a “selfish dropout loser” and storms out of his own party. Awkward.

 

Erica apologizes to Adam for her behavior and he confesses that he has always wanted to be like her. Luckily, Adam gets the night he always wanted and the rest of the party goes off without a hitch. At the end of the night, he gets ready to blow out the candles on his birthday cake only for Beverly to rush in and sit down on the table as it collapses.

 

Oh, “The Goldbergs,” you complete us.