The Goldbergs Season Finale Review: “Have a Summer!”

I can’t believe it, but it’s time to say goodbye to The Goldbergs until the fall. This has been a season full of changes for all of the members of the Goldberg family as everyone continues to grow, so let’s see what all of that change was building to in the season three finale, “Have a Summer.”

The main story in the episode deals with the last week of school for all of the Goldbergs. For Adam, this means his last day of eighth grade before becoming a freshman. As this is the 80s, he knows that he’s going to have to go through some pretty crazy hazing, and he isn’t at all looking forward to that. To combat it, he reluctantly recruits his mother to help him, but Barry manages to break her spirit over Adam’s growth, allowing him free access to torment his brother. Somehow, though, and in the heat of the moment, Adam shows up Barry in front of all of the older kids, convincing him that he’s actually cool and not a nerd. Barry, however, has to deal with being embarrassed in front of everyone he knows, but he and Adam end up arguing about who was really in the wrong with Adam’s body slam. Both brothers are growing up and becoming more mature people, both physically and mentally, and it’s important to their relationship that they evolve into their new lives together. In the end, they work everything out in a way that only brothers can, and it works wonderfully.

Elsewhere, Jeff wants to get Erica to finally give him the attention that he wants. His latest grand gesture is to put a tape in the school’s time capsule that contains his profession of love to his crush, but his stunt is put in danger when Beverly and Erica dig up the time capsule to recover “blankie” (long story). After everything plays out with the two, Erica finally realizes that she has feelings for Jeff, but it ends up being just a little too late for her as he has finally moved on.

It would be way too much to include in this review, but Beverly’s story in “Have a Summer” was surprisingly perfect. Every aspect worked wonderfully, and it tied into the adventures of all three of her children extremely well.

“Have a Summer” was a great season finale for The Goldbergs that wrapped up the strongest season so far while introducing new stories to explore next year. I can’t wait to see how Erica and Jeff’s story evolves (I’ve been invested in them since that idea was first introduced), and Beverly deciding to get her teaching certificate can open up a world of possibilities. In addition, Erica and Adam will both be entering new phases of their lives (with Adam beginning high school as Erica prepares to leave), so there’s more than enough change to sustain a season. I can’t wait until this fall, you guys.

What did you think of “Have a Summer?” How about this season of The Goldbergs as a whole? Let us know your thoughts in the comments down below!

[Photo Credit: ABC/Ron Tom]