Adult Adam: Back in the '80s, I was a boy who put it all
on the line romantically.
But now that I was kind of an adult
in kind of an adult relationship,
I didn't need to do that stuff anymore.
Nice ketchup work. [ Chuckles ]
You really know your way around a bottle of red.
Aww, look who knows how to talk to a lady.
I used to be a tad uncomfy around the gals,
but now complimenting your condiment work
is as easy as breathing.
Don't you carry an inhaler?
You know it.
You and ragweed take my breath away, girl.
[ Giggles ]
Yep, I was on cloud nine.
Every moment with Carmen felt like
a fantastical dance number.
♪ Ohhh, yeah ♪
♪ Dance all night ♪
♪ Never gonna stop ♪
♪ We'll be groovin' till the break of dawn ♪
♪ Hey, dance all night ♪
♪ Doo-doo-da da-da-doo ♪ Johnny: Goldnerd! [ Snapping fingers ]
Goldnerd! What the hell, bro?!
Stop getting freaky with the mop.
Sorry, I was in a semi-fugue state
dreaming about my special lady.
Nancy Reagan? No.
Poetess Maya Angelou?
What? Leslie Nielsen?
It's Carmen, my girlfriend!
Yeah, I don't think so, man.
We're literally dating,
and you think white-haired actor Leslie Nielsen
is a more likely romantic partner for me?
Tennis legend Billie Jean King?
Yep, BJK. You got me.
It was useless-- I would always be a romantic at heart.
Which meant it was time to celebrate our relationship,
no matter how small the reason.
Oh, don't worry.
I won't peek at the special surprise
someone's making his mamaaaa!
[ Chuckles ] None of this is for you.
And why would it be?
Because it's Mother's Day.
No, it's not.
It's a random Tuesday in February.
Well, every day should be Mother's Day.
We only created the entire world.
You certainly created this awkward moment.
And these are for Carmen. Really?
You're still seeing that girl, huh?
For the millionth time, yes.
So what's it gonna be this time?
A standard "Say Anything" boombox
followed by a trellis climb for a PG-rated smooch?
You don't know all my moves!
But basically, yeah.
It's our "one month-iversary."
Month-iversary?!
Plus I rented a tux, and I'm putting the final touches
on a patented Adam Goldberg mixtape!
Why are you crying?
I just remember when you were so teeny and innocent
and didn't like strange local women.
I'm taking this upstairs.
But I love you! I've always loved you!
Okay, how do you turn this thing on from here?
♪ I'm twisted up inside ♪
♪ But nonetheless, I feel the need to say ♪
- Captions by VITAC--
♪ I don't know the future ♪
♪ But the past keeps getting clearer every day ♪
It was February 22nd, 1980-something,
and Erica was preparing to introduce
the newest member of the Goldbergs
to the one person who hadn't met her--
Erica's best friend, Lainey Lewis.
Okay, I need to get this right.
With the hat or without the hat?
I think you're putting too much emphasis on appearances, Erica.
It's just been a while since Lainey's come back from LA.
I want our baby to make a good impression.
Get the tiny sunglasses.
It's true, she's a fox.
Good luck, boys in 15 years.
25 years!
Or whenever. I'm a chill dad.
I'm just saying, Lainey has a rock 'n roll life,
and I'm a full-time mom.
Our lives couldn't be more different.
Please, she's probably wallowing in misery like you.
Like me? And why would she be wallowing?
Because her spirit has been crushed
since Barry went back to the girlfriend dealership
and upgraded his model.
[ Doorbell rings ]
[ Lainey and Erica squeal and laugh ]
It's so great to see you!
Oh, you, too!
What a fun, screechy reunion.
I was not met with that level of enthusiasm
when I scooped her at the airport
in the dead center of the work day.
[ Chuckles ] Yeah, Dad's here, too.
Now where's that little beam of sunshine?
Auntie Lainey, meet Muriel.
Oh, my God. [ Sighs ]
This is the cutest child who ever walked the earth.
Oh, she's actually not walking yet.
The doctor said it's totally normal,
no matter how many times I ask him.
Lainey Lewis.
And your father, Mr. Bill Lewis.
Hello to both of you.
Hi, Bar. Is that a giant chocolate kiss?
'Tis. Been working it all day.
Wanted to bloat up so not to look too attractive
for my old flame.
Look at that, it worked.
It's also out of respect
to my former lover's father.
I'm no threat to your baby girl.
The brown ring around your lips tells the story, son,
but thanks for the words.
Maybe I'll just swing by later, Erica.
But we have so much to catch up on.
Bye, kiddo. Move out as soon as you can, 'kay?
I guess I'll just use the restroom at home.
Ciao!
Y'know, that reminds me... [ Door closes ]
I, too, should mosey on out of here in a casual fashion.
Take that the completely innocent way it is intended.
What you up to, Bar?
Conventional things.
Just going to meet Matt Bradley
so he can help me pick out some jean shorts, you know.
[ Door closes ] What a strangely exhausting three minutes.
Hanky-panky! What?
An illicit entanglement is brewing
between Barry and Lainey!
No way. I know Lainey,
and she would never make that mistake again.
For the third time.
I don't know, whenever Lainey's around,
Barry gets all weird.
He's Barry.
Weird is his natural state.
Plus, he's over Lainey.
I just don't see Barry ever fully moving on.
Where is all this coming from?
Okay, one, Barry is on record saying that jean shorts
are the uniform of "half-men."
Two, Barry would never go to Matt Bradley
for advice about anything,
and three, Matt Bradley is out of town!
Even if Barry was dumb enough to go back down that road,
there is no way that Lainey would.
If she was even thinking about it, she'd tell me.
I'm her best friend! Maybe.
But there are two words she hasn't shared with you--
hanky-panky. Oh.
As Geoff worried that Barry and Lainey
were falling back into a romance,
my mom was worried about my romance with Carmen.
Adam and that Carmen are moving way too fast.
I thought we were discussing my recent health scare,
but let's pivot to you.
I mean, his little heart is just so sensitive.
What if she rejects him? It'll crush him.
He does seem like a person who's been shielded by someone
from experiencing most things
any adult would have by now.
[ Laughs ]
[ Gasps ] Ginzy! Hm?
That Carmen is here, and she's with another man!
[ Gasps ] Really?
Okay, here's what we're gonna do...
Assume the best and mind our own business?
You're gonna work your way over to their table.
Be invisible and totally forgettable--
[gasps] just like that!
Yes! [ Breathes sharply ]
You're gonna spy on them and write down everything they say.
Beverly, part of the reason
that I asked you for coffee today
is I wanted to say that I no longer want to be roped
into Goldbergs hijinks and shenanigans.
Go-go-go-go-go-go-go!
♪
Oh! [ Laughs ] Excuse me.
I just accidentally bumped into you
and started this conversation.
I-I just gotta get to the men's room.
[ Laughs ] You're funny,
and I've disarmed you by giving you a compliment.
Now, is that your sister you're with?
What? Oh, uh, no.
Cousin? Landlord?
Some woman you found confused on the street,
and you're buying her coffee? What?
We're on a date, if you must know.
Oh, you mean like a platonic work date with no feelings?
Uh, a date date.
That two-timing hussy!
I'm so confused right now.
Well, nobody cares. Just... get...
As my mom raced off to stop me from my grand gesture...
I will protect my baby!
...across town, Geoff was looking for evidence
of two-timing of his own.
Oh, weird. Look who it is!
Geoffrey Olivia Schwartz,
did you use putting our baby to sleep
as a way to get me to spy on Barry?
I know something's going on!
I can just feel it!
Look, he's stopping at that cheesesteak place.
You know Lainey loves cheesesteaks.
This is dumb.
I brought my birding binoculars.
And it gets dumber. Look!
He's getting two cheesesteaks!
We have to follow that cheese.
Should we have disguises, too?
Way ahead of you.
Let my mom's gardening hats
and my dad's cataract shades camouflage us!
♪
Our marriage is weird. Mm.
And so, they followed Barry all over town.
Until they ended up here.
He's turning towards that house.
Wait, that's Lainey's house!
♪
Oh!
♪
I can't believe it.
Barry and Lainey...
Oh, why did you make me know this?!
While my sister and Geoff were getting closer
to the truth about Barry,
I was about to tell Carmen how truly close to her I felt.
Stop! Mom!
What the hell are you doing?
Protecting you!
The grand gesture-- abort, abort!
This is way too far.
I know you don't like Carmen, but--
Adam, I saw her on a date.
A date?
You must have misunderstood.
I'm telling you, it's true.
Look, I appreciate your concern,
but I'll just talk to Carmen and clear this up.
Go home. But, Schmoopie Poopie--
Go!
Was that your mom? Yeah.
She just was freaking out because, um,
she thought she saw you on a date with some other guy.
Oh. [ Chuckles ] She saw us?
That's awkward.
So then, you were on a date?
Yeah, but, I mean, it's okay,
'cause you and I are casual, right?
[ Laughs ] Oh, definitely! Casual!
Wait, why do you have roses?
And what's the cassette?
These roses are...
for Carla!
She's had a hard time lately.
Awww. I can totally sell these.
And the mixtape is...
for Johnny!
Friendship mix! How much Rush is on here?
Somewhere between zero and none.
You don't know me at all! Friendship rejected!
You... weren't about to do some big romantic thing for me?
'Cause I don't want things to be weird for you,
and if they are, then maybe we should--
Nope! Not weird.
Look, if you can't handle a casual relationship--
Oh, I can handle casual.
If anyone can be casual, I can be casual.
♪
I can't be casual, Mama!
Don't worry, baby. Mama will protect you
from the nuanced adult relationship.
♪
Erica and Geoff had caught Barry doing... something,
and Erica was pretty worked up
to nail down what it was.
I can't believe it.
If Lainey is having an affair with Barry,
why wouldn't she tell me?
Isn't it more important that he's cheating on my sister?
Sure. She's not one of us, though.
She's the aunt to your child.
Yeah, through marriage, I guess.
[ Doorbell rings ] Oh, it's Lainey.
I need to get to the bottom of this.
Now hide! Hide?
Yes. This is the kind of thing
only best friends confide in each other!
Oh! Now go!
Heyyy!
Hey there [chuckles] best friend,
no matter what other things
have transpired in our lives.
How are things going, huh?
Oh, come on, let's get caught up.
Spill our darkest secrets.
I wish I had some dark secrets to spill.
I feel like I've been so boring lately.
Look, I'd like to think that you'll always be
the one person I can trust--
who I can confess anything to.
Aww, of course you can, Erica.
I'm so glad to hear that. [ Chuckles ]
I've been thinking about cheating on Geoff.
You? What?
I think about being with another man constantly.
Where I'd meet the guy, what hotel we'd go to--
the Bay Breeze Inn off 276.
It's close, but also out of the way.
Um, I'm not sure how to respond.
The appropriate response would be to admit
that you've had some similar feelings
and/or participated in any infidelities of your own?
Uh... Because I think about cheating
on Geoff all the time. [ Whispering ] What?
I imagine a strange man's hands in my hair,
on my body, whispering in my ear.
Do you judge me or do you kinda get it?
You guys seem so happy together.
No one can know the heart of another, right?
Which is why I don't know yours-- so use your words.
Any hanky-panky going on? Hanky-panky?
If I were cheating on Geoff,
you'd be the first person I told.
No detail would be spared.
So spill it.
I mean, actually-- Yes?
[ Sighs ] I was waiting for the right moment to tell you
Steve and I broke up recently, so there's no one to cheat on.
It's been really lonely.
Has it? Yes.
And I'm still upset, too.
But I'm really worried about you right now.
So let me just get us some tea and let's dig in.
Just know I care about you, okay?
Well, I care about you, too.
Almost as much as I want to cheat on Geoff!
[ Chuckles ]
♪
What in the actual [bleep]?!
You wanted the truth, right? Well, we got it!
The only truth I've found out is that my wife
would be great at having an affair!
C'mon! Lainey and Steve broke up.
She's been lonely. The pieces fit.
I think you were right.
Oh, poor Joanne.
I've gotta tell her.
No, she will hate you forever.
There's only one way to let her know--
get her to stumble onto the crime herself.
Oh, that's incredibly harsh.
It's the only way.
Okay, just promise me you'll never go to that Bay Breeze Inn.
That filthy dump? [ Scoffs ] Never. What?
Or anywhere else, obviously. [ Scoffs ]
While Geoff and Erica had clarity about Barry and Lainey,
Carmen had left me very confused.
Casual?
I mean, I'm a guy
who goes from intense monogamous relationship
to intense monogamous relationship,
like a normal person!
Are you sure this woman is for you?
She doesn't seem to understand
how special my perfect little angel is.
Look, I have to grow up sometime, Mom,
and I really like Carmen.
So if she wants to be non-exclusive,
I guess I'm just gonna have to figure out how.
If I may remind you, you happen to be the son
of the greatest Yenta the world has ever known.
I don't think I've ever said this to you before,
but I like the way you're thinking.
If my handsome little man needs to be non-exclusive,
we're gonna show her how non-exclusive he can be.
It's matchmaking time!
♪
My mom pulled out all the stops. Beverly. [ Laughs ]
She used the phone, the Rolodex...
obvious choices, less obvious choices.
♪
She left no stone unturned to find me a perfect match.
So, what are we working with?
Lay it on me. Who's lining up for a dose of Vitamin A?
Lotta interest, um,
but I think this might not be dating season.
Dating season?
You know how many ladies like to go away on vacation
at the end of February.
Oh, my God. Nobody wanted to go out with me, did they?
You're a bit of a tough sell.
You put off going to college,
you're working part-time in a diner,
you're living at home,
and it does not sweeten the pot
that you're currently seeing someone else
in a non-exclusive sitch.
Now, the only one that might be a possibility is Essie,
but she said she'd have to think on it.
This is a nightmare!
It's tearing me apart
that the world can't see my boy
for the hot property he is,
even though, in this moment,
to all appearances, it seems like you're a loser. Thank you?
I'll just have to go to Carmen
and let her know we're ready to be exclusive. "We"?
Then point out all the amazing things
she'll be missing if she doesn't accept
a committed relationship from you.
No. I have to prove to her that I can be casual.
And how are you supposed to do that?
You're the master of the grand gesture.
I can't tell you how many I've seen from afar
and wished I was the girl in the window.
Yes! Your horrifying and possibly criminal revelation
has given me an idea!
You run away to the Dominican Republic
and start fresh? So far from that.
But what if I did something bold
to prove to her how chill I am?
You mean like a classic Adam Goldberg grand gesture,
but... of casualness?
Exactly.
That is the most brilliant thing I've ever heard,
and I'm certain I'm not being blinded by a mother's love
and desperation for you to never feel rejection.
Go to her. I will!
But, like, not in a rush.
Also, I was sugarcoating it.
It was a hard no from Essie.
As I was off to show Carmen how chill I could be,
Geoff and Erica's investigation was heating up.
Jo Jo! Over here! Oh!
Ooh! What's going on?
Geoff said you were having a fashion emergency, Erica?
There's no fashion emergency, Joanne.
Sure, if you say it, then it's true.
Look, you're here because we have something upsetting
to show you.
We're sorry, but my brother's
having an affair with Lainey.
Puh-leeze. I'll believe that when I see it.
Barry's in there right now with Lainey. We saw him go in.
But he just told me he was going to the library to study.
That in itself should've been a big clue.
Hey, guys.
Gah! Lainey?!
Why are you talking behind the Metcalfs' hedge?
Wait, but if you're not in there, what's Barry doing?
Barry and Bill: Ca-caw! Ca-caw!
What the hell?
Ca-caw! Ca-caw!
Barry?!
Ca-- Huh?
Ah! This isn't what it looks like, baby!
I honestly have no idea what it looks like.
As things with Barry developed an unexpected wrinkle,
I was ready to iron things out
with Carmen-- casually, of course.
[ In distance ] ♪ Round and round, round and round ♪
♪ The wheels on the bus go round and round ♪
All through the town ♪
[ Breathes sharply ]
♪
[ Music continues ] Adam?
♪ The wipers on the bus go-- ♪
[ Clicks, music stops ] Heyyy! [ Chuckles ]
I was just wandering through your neighborhood,
and I'd like to make clear--
walking, not running, and absolutely not in the rain.
What's with the step stool?
See, normally when I'm dating someone,
I'll scale a trellis to their bedroom window.
But as we are both being casual,
thought it seemed a little much.
So instead, I brought a step stool
to chat with you near your toilet.
Wanna explain the boombox?
Usually that'd be playing a Peter Gabriel ballad,
but since we're in a non-exclusive,
super-laid-back thing,
I'm playing "The Wheels on the Bus."
So you came to my window with a step stool and a boombox
to profess your [Chuckling] ability
to be in a casual relationship?
♪
Adam...
[ Sighs ] Yeah, it's not great.
[ Sighs ]
The truth is, I'm not built for a casual relationship.
I like you...
a lot.
And I don't want to play it cool or see other people.
I want to jump in, cast caution to the wind,
and see where we land.
♪
It's just who I am. [ Breathing quickly ]
Sorry I made it weird.
Unfortunately, that's also who I am.
♪
[ Breathes deeply ]
Adult Adam: So it turned out Barry wasn't having an affair with Lainey,
but he did have a secret relationship
with her dad, Bill,
which left us with even more questions.
It all started the day of the Eagles-Cowboys game.
We were both going to a bar
'cause we had no one to watch the game with.
So Bill suggested we go back to his house
so we can enjoy it together.
And to our surprise, we had a magical day together.
We both thought it was a one-time thing,
but, dammit, we could not get enough of each other.
It just felt too good.
So good.
After a while, we'd watch any random sport
as an excuse to spend time together--
handball, badminton, water polo.
We even watched Olympic women's Ping-Pong.
It was like a drug.
We started to build up our own private jokes,
traditions, and superstitions--
So that's what we just saw?
I know we're caught, but I'd do it all again
a million times over.
Me too.
Why'd you hide it?
Truthfully, we knew it wouldn't last.
I mean, we have nothing in common.
No.
Maybe you have more in common than you think.
You're both missing someone in your lives
you used to share sports with.
Dad. Mur-man.
And in some twisted way, this is how you're dealing with it.
Dad and I used to share the lows and extra lows
of Philadelphia sports together.
[ Sighs ] Mur and I could sit together for hours
and not say a thing,
unless my Cowboys were playing his Eagles.
Then he would insult my family, my honor, my body shape.
I loved it so much.
I guess it's over now.
Don't be stupid.
You can still hang out.
[ Scoffs ] Boys are so dumb.
You mean...?
Gentlemen sports-time is back on!
And no longer in the shadows!
Oh.
Together: Ca-caw! Ca-caw!
[ Both laugh ]
Maybe a little shadow wouldn't hurt.
Speaking of, you thought I was cheating with Barry?
I know it's ridiculous,
but I feel like our lives are so different now...
Maybe you wouldn't tell me.
Are you kidding? I would tell you anything.
You're my best friend.
♪
While Barry and Bill took their weird man crush
out of the shadows,
my future with Carmen was nothing but darkness.
Hey, Schmoo, I've got some Rice Krispie Treats
if you're interested.
Thanks, but I'm not really in the mood for snackies right now.
I know this didn't go the way you wanted it to, sweetie,
but it's always more mature
to just show people who you really are.
Well, the real me is gonna be sad for a while.
I know you don't care what I think,
but I love the real you.
[ Sighs ]
[ In distance ] ♪ The wheels on the bus go round and round ♪
What's that? ♪ Round and round, round and round ♪
♪ The wheels on the bus go round and round-- ♪
[ Button clicks, music stops ] Carmen?
Hey.
I was just in the neighborhood,
decided to swing by, all casual-like.
I'll come down.
[ Sighs ]
You know, I have never had a guy show up to my window
with a step stool and a boombox like that.
Really? You should have a million guys
outside your window.
Not a million.
The appropriate amount.
Why don't you talk now?
And the reason I wanted to draw the line at casual
is 'cause I just got out of a relationship,
and I'm [breathes deeply] not ready to be hurt again.
I get it.
The thing is...
I know you are not the kind of guy who's going to hurt me.
So...
we can be exclusive and see where it goes.
I think I can make that work.
♪
[ Laughs ] You think you could still show me
what an Adam Goldberg grand gesture is like?
I would love to.
[ "Can't Hardly Wait" plays ] [ Chuckles ]
Adult Adam: Relationships can be complicated.
Just when you think you're getting close to someone,
they can pull away.
♪ Lights that flash in the evening ♪
But as long as you show people who you really are,
you'll find even casual acquaintances
can become like family.
Whoo! Touchdown!
♪ I can't hardly wait ♪
So, your incredibly specific tale
of infidelity got me thinking.
You're not the only one who can spin a convincing yarn
about a torrid dalliance.
Alright. Get whatever this is out of your system.
I'm just saying, I, too, know an out-of-the-way motel
where the touching of non-wives may occur.
Oh, no. I feel super threatened.
That's right. I would do some touching.
Could you possibly be more specific?
Happily.
Know that said touching would be the touching
of an unfamiliar female person...
Uh-huh.
And perhaps, if her hands are clean,
underneath this rugby shirt.
You're incredibly bad at this.
Please never leave me.
So, your incredibly specific tale
of infidelity got me thinking.
You're not the only one who can spin a convincing yarn
about a torrid dalliance.
Alright. Get whatever this is out of your system.
I'm just saying, I, too, know an out-of-the-way motel
where the touching of non-wives may occur.
Oh, no. I feel super threatened.
That's right. I would do some touching.
Could you possibly be more specific?
Happily.
Know that said touching would be the touching
of an unfamiliar female person...
Uh-huh.
And perhaps, if her hands are clean,
underneath this rugby shirt.
You're incredibly bad at this.
Please never leave me.