The Goldbergs – "La Biblioteca Es Libros" Retrospective. F as in Fail.

Season 2, Episode 19

Air Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2015, 8:30/7:30c on ABC

Rating: ★★★★★

“You’re getting me a job so dad can respect me.” – Barry

What was your first job?

Nothing symbolizes maturity more than getting your first job. Regardless of what that job is and what you go on to do in life, it’s something you never forget. Mine was a paper route delivering the AM and PM editions of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. It was a great way to earn money and I was lucky because my route was all apartment buildings, making my deliveries fast and easy.

Turns out a job can also be used as a threat as Murray (Jeff Garlin) learns when Barry (Troy Gentile), using the kind of logic only Barry can, decides to teach Murray a lesson by finding a job.

Barry: “I’ll learn responsibility and earn my own money and never depend on you for anything.”

Murray: “You’re threatening me with things I want you to do.”

As someone all too familiar with job interviews, I couldn’t help laughing when Barry goes to various job interviews, answering questions in typical Barry fashion – “My biggest weakness? I’m honest and I’m lazy.”

Why am I not surprised that Barry’s first job is working at a pizza joint? While I was never a pizza delivery driver myself, I had friends who were. Growing up in the 80s, there was a cool factor associated with the job given the freedom you had. Back then, employers didn’t have a cell phone to check up on you or even GPS. Based on Barry’s quirky personality, I wasn’t at all surprised when he loses his job fairly quickly.

Was your mom ever like this?

I love it when Beverly (Wendi McLendon-Covey) is in full smother mode and “La Biblioteca Es Libros” is no exception. When Adam (Sean Giambrone) tells her he’s failing Spanish, Beverly heads to his school to fix the problem…Beverly style. Even I couldn’t help being surprised when she blames Adam’s Spanish teacher, Senora Tataborelli (Michaela Watkins), for his shortcomings.

Adam: “You think this is her fault?”

Beverly: “Well, it’s certainly not your fault; you’re just a little boy.”

Adam: “That’s true, I am a little boy.”

Giambrone’s expression is priceless when Adam realizes he’s off the hook, and cautiously embraces his mother’s logic, forcing Pops (George Segal) to chime in and be the voice of reason.

I was a fan of the show Trophy Wife and enjoy whenever someone from that show appears on The Goldbergs. Watkins gives an entertaining performance as Tataborelli when she is forced to face Beverly’s wrath over Adam’s grades. McLendon-Covey and the writers do a great job having Beverly come full circle, realizing her perfect angel might not be so accomplished when it comes to Spanish.

Poor Erica.

The Goldbergs’ writers always do a great job incorporating a positive family message into the story line without coming across as too preachy. In “La Biblioteca Es Libros,” Erica gets upset when Murray doesn’t treat her the same way he treats Barry. Growing up as the oldest of three children, I was surprised to find myself a little envious while watching the episode. Despite Murray’s unique relationship with his kids, there is something special there and it’s something I never experienced with my father.

That final bedroom scene has to be one of the funniest of the season. It starts off heartwarmingly as Murray admits to Erica he doesn’t always understand her because she’s a female. Just when the episode appears to be headed towards a touching end, it takes a surprising turn when Beverly enters the room. I laughed so hard, I started to tear up as Murray turns on Erica to save himself.

Did you have a mother like Beverly? What was your first job? Tweet me @Staffaroadtrip or leave a comment below to let me know what you think about “La Biblioteca Es Libros.”

Tune in to The Goldbergs Wednesdays at 8:30/7:30c, only on ABC.

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Greg Staffa

I provide testosterone to the site. You won’t be reading about how nice a actress looks in a dress or how much of a hunk Matt Bomer is in my reviews. I describe colors using words like brown, not taupe. My twitter name is @staffaroadtrip because I love road trips and have done two different 48-state road trips since 2008. My favorite show is White Collar.