Here’s How The Goldbergs Handled Murray’s Death in Season 10 Premiere
The Goldbergs‘ Season 10 premiere kicked off with Murray Goldberg’s well-spoiled demise. So, how exactly did the ABC comedy handle the passing of Jeff Garlin’s cantankerous alter ego?
The Powers That Be could have gone in any number of directions. Murray could’ve been pushed in front of a train in Paris and exploded like a balloon full of meat. Or he could have succumb to a previously unknown drug addiction. Heck, he could’ve been offed via kung fu coupon — there’s precedent!
But instead, The Goldbergs chose to sidestep the specifics of Murray’s death. The cold open only disclosed that Murray was no longer with us.
“Just a few months ago, out of nowhere, we lost my dad,” Adam said, as the camera honed on his father’s beloved BarcaLounger. “We will always love you, Dad. Always. And we’ll find a way to continue on together. Because, after all, we’re the Goldbergs.”
Mr. Chair turned out to be a focal point in Wednesday’s season opener. Mom-to-be Erica suggested that it was time for Beverly to clear out some of Murray’s belongings — including the hallway closet that served as a shrine to her dearly departed “Mur-man.” But Bev took her Schmoopie’s advice too far and got rid of his recliner — a decision she’d immediately come to regret. Luckily, Pop-Pop retrieved it from the curb before it got hauled away. He even took it upon himself to convert it into a rocking chair for the nursery.
Adam, meanwhile, attempted to pull a Field of Dreams on older brother Barry. But having misunderstood the Kevin Costner classic’s central premise, Adam didn’t realize that he’d convinced dimwitted Barry that he’d get to play one last game of catch with their dead dad. In the end, Adam and Barry made up and played that game of catch together.
Were you satisfied with how The Goldbergs handled Murray’s death? Grade the Season 10 premiere via the following poll, then hit the comments with your thoughts.
I really thought they did a good job with this episode. As someone who has watched the show since day one, I appreciate that I still get to watch every Wednesday!
Did they have to kill Murray? Was there no other actor who could have replaced him? I am never a fan of killing off characters. If it can be helped, a new a Murray would have been possible. It’s disappointing, in my humble opinion.
In real life, their father had passed, so it was the perfect way to end the character’s run.
Are you talking about the actor that played Murray, Jeff Garlin? He didn’t die in real life, he was fired for being a jerk on set. I think you have him confused with George Segal, who played Pops. He died in real life.
The real Murray Goldberg died of cancer years ago. Beverly has since remarried in real life.
Please re-read what Keith said.
@Keith, yes the real Goldberg dad did die, but not until 2002.
To clarify he was not fired. He did have issues on the set but had also made it clear he was sick of the show and had been ready to go for a while. In the end he opted to walk rather than conform for the sake of keeping a job he did not even want or particularly need. Not to defend his behavior but it was not a firing.
Technically… but it was the equivalent of someone about to be fired saying I Quit instead to save face. He was fired for all intents and purposes.
Yes, but the real Murray Goldberg didn’t pass away until 2008, so….
So…. This show isn’t doing things “by the book” based off his real life, so it’s perfectly ok that he died in a different year.
That episode would have made a PERFECT finale!
Yeah, it really did. I’ll keep watching it, but this should be it’s last season.
I agree the show mentioned Field of Dreams they gotta be in 1989 now
The Goldbergs has always jumped all over the 80s out of real life order. They’ve mentioned 1989 things like When Harry Met Sally and Steve Urkel years ago.
Whatever references they make in the show, it’s always “1980-something.” And in every season finale, the narrator makes some remark about “not always getting the dates right” in the stories being told.
I think it is.
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But I hope the season is not all downhill from here. That really would have been a great finale! It had all the elements.
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Would have made a better finale than a season opener, imo.
Must be the last season…there,s no where to go with this storey. Smart enough for ya?
Considering the 3 misspelled words? No.
Look, I loved this show , I’ve seen every episode, but they should never have had to do this because they should have ended the show after last season. This show is gonna last longer than the 80s .without pops and Murray and with the kids getting to old for this crap, this show should have wrapped up seasons ago.
The show is not near as good without Murray.
I think maybe it is past it’s time. Was great in the early seasons.
I didn’t know this. Wow A whole other set of plot lines.
Ha
I haven’t watched this yet but Pop Pop, didn’t he die on the show a couple of seasons ago after the actor died? I’m guessing it’s a different “Pop Pop” or grandparent than George Segal.
George Segal played Pops, Beverly’s father. Judd Hirsch plays Pop Pop, Murray’s father.
Looking at the article it’s Judd Hirsch as Murray’s dad who plays Pop Pop while George Segal played Pops.
I’m pumped for this to be back. As well as The Conner’s, Abbot Elementary, and Home Economics. Big Sky as well!
Wednesday nights are looking strong for ABC
Did anyone else notice. During the end credits there was a weird line like “these events are a work of fiction” ?
It seemed out of place. Liked the episode though.
I think they did it because real Murray died in 2002, and they are still in the 80’s, and the show is based loosely on the Adam’s real family. I thought it was appropriate.
I glad it makes another season. They cut him out firing him. Ten minutes before the last episode finished in season 9. I don’t know if he would care if it was the last season anyway. I mean what would be the point in firing him. Would it ban him from a spin off. If one would you ever come. The hassle of firing wouldn’t be worth it.
Murray’s death was handled with dignity, grace, and humor. The use of his recliner was superb!
AS long as Erika, Geoff and JTP are on I will continue watching. I have longed for a spin-off with just them. Less Bev and Barry would be great and Adam I can kind of take or leave him. Sending Barry away to medical school and having Erika and Geoff move out could accomplish all that- Bev can make small appearances
I had heard they were going to time jump but this made little sense. And yes I know, it’s a show and I don’t expect it to be super realistic but come on…How is Barry in medical school at the same time Adam goes to college. Weren’t they only a year apart (maybe 2)? And is the actor playing Adam leaving the show, or are they going to have him transfer to some state school because he misses his mommy? Erica and Jeff move back in with Beverly because they’re having a baby? And Barry just happens to be going to med school nearby? I think this show has passed it’s expiration date.
The show has never mentioned a specific year so I don’t think it matters, they always say 1980 something so that they are not burdened by time.
Jeff Garlin recently revealed he has bipolar disorder. He could potentially have come back after treatment, but the producers wanted to make sure they got rid of him in a way that would never allow him to return. After that, filling this episode with fake sentimentality about the character’s loss just seemed cynical and gross.
I thought they did a good job with addressing his passing. I’m just curious a little if the real Adam Goldberg was happy with how they addressed this, as this was something that happened to him. I was waiting for Beverly to break down or the family but I remember them saying he passed a while ago.
I felt the handling was meh. Would have like more details and family transition…as I recently lost my mother. It’s not just…oh well…next page. Hope Garlin continues with Curb Your Enthusiasm. It concerns me how these so called stories about actors being difficult on set coincide w contract talks or declining ratings. If he was a jerk, why didn’t it come out when the show was riding high? Also think these days anytime a man, esp an older or Boomer man, is strong willed or outspoken, the PC and/or Me Too police conspire against him.
I think it’s terrible that they took him out. I think he was one of the best characters in the show
Meh, this show is going to be crap without Murray. I predict its the last season, and if not it should be
Noooo no indication at all ….. he deserved better.
I love The Goldberg’s…………saying that, this “Murray’s Dead” episode was a real piece of milk toast. Boring and almost not worth watching tonight (forget yhe almost ).
You’ve done so well for so long, was there a sudden change in writers ?
I love The Goldberg’s…………saying that, this “Murray’s Dead” episode was a real piece of milk toast. Boring and almost not worth watching tonight (forget the “almost” ).
You’ve done so well for so long, was there a sudden change in writers ?
The new episodes are sad to me. I won’t watch them. I luv pops and Murray. I just wish they would bring Murray back to the new episodes. I’d watch them then. Poor is gone. Murray shouldn’t be gone as well. There is a very large void in the new episodes. Please bring Murray bck. After all he can’t help that he suffers from bi polar. He shouldn’t be punished for it. I feel like he has learned his lesson.