The Goldbergs – The Return of the Formica King

By: Ariba Bhuvad

The 80s were a time when Murray (Jeff Garlin) made all sorts of sounds. He likes to groan, grumble, mumble and, of course, do the “bup, bup, bup.” Each sound; however, is something he makes before, during and after work. Over the last twenty years Murray has gone in every day to open the Ottoman Empire, his furniture store. And after each day, he gives one final groan before planting himself in front of the television. 

Adam (Sean Giambrone) is sad to learn that they will not be doing a Spring musical this year given that licensing fees have gone up. Dave Kim (Kenny Ridwan) and Emmy (Stephanie Katherine Grant) are sad because they get a lot of attention from their classmates during musicals and now they won’t. Luckily, Adam has a play he wrote with Erica (Hayley Orrantia) a few years back called “The Playground.” All it needs is the finale, which he hopes Erica can help him with. Ms. Cinoman (Ana Gasteyer), the drama teacher, is reluctant at first but agrees anyway since it’s all they have. Unfortunately, Erica is less than enthusiastic about helping Adam out with the play. She has her plate full with school and Geoff (Sam Lerner) and doesn’t really care to help with an old play they did. Even though Geoff is happy to see Adam, Erica kicks her brother out of the dorm before he can make any more appeals. 

While at the store Murray is greeted by his furniture store rival, Formica Mike (Richard Kind). Formica Mike invites Beverly (Wendi McLendon-Covey) and Murray to dinner at a local fancy French restaurant named Le Bec Fin. When Beverly learns about the dinner, she is over the moon excited because it’s a really upscale restaurant that she has always wanted to go to. In fact, she wants to buy a new dress and gloves. Murray points out that Beverly doesn’t like Formica King or his wife, Fran (Lea Thomspon), but Beverly doesn’t care–she just wants Le Bec Fin. 

After Erica rejects him Adam attempts to write the finale on his own with very little help from Dave Kim. Barry (Troy Gentile) offers to do it instead and says he will write the greatest rap ever. Adam isn’t too eager to let Barry help out, but he realizes that his brother will ruin it and then Erica will have no choice but to help out. 

Beverly and Murray join Fran and Formica Mike at Le Bec Fin where Beverly is swooning over Fran’s expensive jewelry. In conversation Fran mentions the beach houses they own and that one of them might be available soon. Beverly is super excited over the prospect of having a beach house that she can spend time with her kids and their future grandchildren, regardless of if they want to or not. Murray reminds them that he can barely afford one house so he definitely won’t be able to do a beach house. However, Formica Mike has an offer to make to Murray. He wants to buy Ottoman Empire and is willing to pay a large sum for it. Murray doesn’t seem ready to make a decision just yet and says he will mull it over but is only given one day. 

To convince Murray to take the offer Beverly invites Vic (Cedric Yarbrough) over to the house. Along with Vic, Pops (George Segal) tells Murray to take the offer because who cares about furniture. Murray says he will only consider the offer if Formica Mike apologizes to him for big-timing him. Beverly decides to talk to Fran about this and asks her to tell Formica Mike to apologize. She says she will take care of it. 

Erica finds out from Adam that Barry is helping him with the play now and is flustered to hear that there is going to be a rapping Tootsie Roll character in Barry’s new version. She feels she has no choice to step in and agrees to help Adam. 

Meanwhile, Murray and Beverly go to the country club so Formica Mike can apologize to Murray. At first, Murray finds the whole environment strange but eventually sees the perks in this life. However, when Formica Mike does give him an apology Murray doesn’t take the offer. He tells Beverly this is what she wanted, but as much as he complains he actually loves his job and everything that comes with it. 

Adam is surprised to learn that Erica has written the finale without him. All he really wanted was to spend time with Erica writing it and he’s upset to learn that she did it without him. It was his way of reconnecting with her, but unfortunately it failed. Much to Adam’s disapproval, Barry is brought in to play the rapping Tootsie Roll that fell out of a kid’s pocket on the playground. Luckily, Erica feels bad for hurting Adam and says they will work together on the finale, just as he wanted to. 

Beverly talks to Murray about the offer situation and says she wants to support him in any way she can. She doesn’t need a fancy beach house, just a house with all of them in it. While that may be the case, Murray realizes Formica Mike is right. Their business is changing and Murray has been too complacent. Murray is ready to do something bold,and Beverly promises to always support him, no matter what. 

Given that Formica Mike wants to expand his business but Murray doesn’t want to sell, Murray suggests they go into business together. They open up Formica King’s Ottoman Empire together. And, even though Mike will be a difficult partner, Murray is excited about the new changes as they officially open the new store.