The Goldbergs – The Fake-Up

By: Ariba Bhuvad

Back in the 80s Adam (Sean Giambrone) did pretty well with the ladies. From Dana Caldwell (Natalie Alyn Lind) to Jackie Geary (Alexis G. Zall), and now Brea Bee (Sadie Stanley), he’s done pretty well for himself. However, after Beverly (Wendi McLendon-Covey) finds Adam and Brea in the basement making out things get weird. She’s not happy to see them canoodling in the dark and makes a very big deal over it. Adam doesn’t want to apologize for basement kissing because he feels it is a teenage rite of passage. Unfortunately for Adam, Murray (Jeff Garlin), Pops (George Segal), Barry (Troy Gentile), Erica (Hayley Orrantia) and the Yentas–Linda (Mindy Sterling), Essie (Stephanie Courtney) and Virginia (Jennifer Irwin) all show up one after another and embarrass him and Brea further. 

Barry and Ren (Kelli Berglund) have been spending a lot of time together and she makes it official by calling Barry her boyfriend. Erica happens to show up just as they decide this only to share that Lainey (AJ Michalka) is in town to meet her father’s girlfriend. Barry is flustered after seeing Lainey, whom he hasn’t seen since she left him and moved to Los Angeles. 

Adam gets ready to go on a date with Brea, but Beverly is having a hard time accepting that he’s going out with Brea. She thinks they’re moving too fast and intends to do something about it, despite Murray telling her not to interfere. After Brea arrives Beverly invites her in to have a talk while Pops immediately warns Adam that Beverly is chatting with Brea. Adam is horrified to see Brea and Beverly sitting together and insists on Brea not engaging with his mother. Out of courtesy, Brea invites Beverly on her and Adam’s date not expecting Beverly to agree. Unfortunately, she does.

Confused over what to do about the Lainey situation, Barry enlists the help of the JTP–Naked Rob (Noah Munck), Matt Bradley (Shayne Topp) and Andy (Matt Bush). Barry is convinced that Lainey is still interested in him and doesn’t know what to do about it. He thinks that the message that Lainey left for him means she is into him, but it’s just Lainey saying she needs to talk to Barry. Andy suggests that Barry speak to Erica about this since is close to both Ren and Lainey.

Beverly has no qualms about crashing Adam and Brea’s date as she sits in the middle of them at the movies, intrudes in on their arcade date and shows up during dessert as well. Despite trying to get rid of her, Adam fails. 

Barry seeks Erica’s help and exaggerates the voicemail Lainey left for him. Despite how much she loves Lainey, she thinks Barry should be with Ren because she’s into him now and Barry has never been happier. Lainey broke his heart and left him behind, so she is now a part of the past. Of course, she doesn’t want the girls to know that she’s helping Barry with this, but he seems intent on sharing this news with everyone.

Even school isn’t a safe place for Brea and Adam to get some privacy as Beverly keeps showing up to give her banana bread. After she leaves Mr. Woodburn (Dan Bakkedahl) suggests that Brea and Adam stage a break-up to fool Beverly. If she thinks they’re not together, then she won’t be able to keep bothering them. 

On his way out to profess his love to Ren, Lainey shows up to talk to Barry. Despite what Barry thinks, Lainey wanted to speak with him regarding how she left. Lainey feels bad that she just left without saying goodbye properly and she hasn’t been able to forgive herself. To make matters worse, Lainey hasn’t been doing well in L.A. and is struggling to make a life out there. She needs her friend back and wasn’t sure if it was possible. Barry reassures her that Lainey will always be a part of his life, no matter what. Unfortunately, Ren shows up at the wrong time and sees Barry and Lainey hugging and storms off. 

Brea and Adam pretend to break up in front of Beverly and stage an entire scene in front of her. Of course, Beverly is upset by this and insists that Adam fight back for Brea and not let her walk away. Later, when she shows up at Brea’s house, Beverly is surprised to find Adam hiding out there, especially because he told her Brea cheated on him. With Beverly becoming more and more intrusive, Adam confesses to her that she needs to back off. As it turns out, Beverly got worried after Brea and Adam started dating because it felt like he was growing up too fast and that she was going to lose him. Adam reminds her that she is his mom and she will always be a part of his life, but just needs to take a step back. 

Barry finally opens up to Ren and tells her that he wants to be with her, not Lainey. He’ll always care for Lainey, but he’s with Ren now and that’s who he wants to be with. Erica shows up to back him up and shares that Barry really is into Ren. 

As for Lainey? She’s not giving up on her L.A. dreams just yet. What else is she going to do?