The Goldbergs Season 9, Episode 3: Riptide Waters

The Goldbergs’ Excellent Adventure

The family pays tribute to Pops, venturing down memory lane by visiting Pops' favorite stomping grounds. Adam films the outing, giving it a "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure" theme.

Horse Play

Adam is distraught to discover he's been wait-listed at NYU while his girlfriend, Brea, has been accepted. Adam courts the NYU dean of admissions, hoping she will change her mind on his deferral.

The William Penn Years

Adam finds himself in a pickle when he's recruited to film his high school's final football game of the year and fails to capture his team's winning touchdown. Beverly discovers her neighbor is moving and she's determined to buy his home.

An Itch Like No Other

Mr. Glascott moves in next door and slowly goes from friendly neighbor to cluelessly intrusive, until Beverly comes up with a plan to occupy his time with a new friend. Barry lands in urgent care with a case of poison ivy in a compromising area - his rear end, testing Erica and Geoff's parenting skills.

The Hunt for the Great Albino Pumpkin

Missing his Pops, Adam finds himself disenchanted with his once favorite time of year, Halloween, until Beverly encourages Pop Pop to spend time with his grandson. Barry decides to bring his former alter ego, rapper "Big Tasty," back to life; and a chance encounter with the legendary Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, brings Barry and Joanne closer together.

The Rose-Kissy Thing

Senior Night is upon William Penn Academy, and Beverly soon discovers she is missing out on the ceremonial adoration presented to mothers with athletic children.  Much to Adam's embarrassment, Beverly pushes for her moment to shine with a kiss and a rose and encourages Principal Ball to establish a Non-Athlete Senior Night.  As Adam attempts to foil his mother's plans, Erica finds herself lacking any interested friends to appoint "pre-wedding fun captain." Reluctantly she engages her eager "sister-in-law to be" Joanna, who inadvertently doesn't meet expectations but ultimately proves herself worthy of being called sister.

A Light Thanksgiving Nosh

When Beverly learns that Linda Schwartz will host Thanksgiving this year, she becomes concerned that her role as family hostess - and more importantly as Erica's mom - is threatened. Meanwhile, Pop-Pop surprises the family by showing up with a new "lady friend."

Tennis People

After weeks of waiting, Adam finally receives news that he has been accepted into NYU. His excitement is soon diminished when he learns Brea has been accepted into her dream school, Brown University. Fearing the distance will affect their relationship, Adam attempts to find ways to keep his girlfriend close. Meanwhile, with Virginia's help, Beverly begins looking for venues to hold Erica's wedding shower. She discovers her nemesis' tennis club and is determined to become a member even if it means embarrassing herself.

30 min

You Only Die Once, Or Twice, But Never Three Times

Beverly creates a plan to save Formica Mike's (Richard Kind) failing marriage, but her efforts quickly backfire. Meanwhile, Barry enlists Adam and friends to create a James Bond-themed home movie in his ongoing efforts to court Joanne, but her response leaves him with a bruised ego. Both Barry and Beverly learn valuable lessons in love.

Hip-Shaking and Booty-Quaking

Erica and Geoff decide to throw a party to prove to others and themselves that they can still have fun as a young, engaged couple. Meanwhile, Beverly assumes control of William Penn Academy as "acting principal" and presses the school faculty to put together a "Fame"-themed send-off for the senior class.

The Kissing Bandits

Upon their return home from college orientation, Adam and Brea each confess a secret that could affect the future of their relationship. Meanwhile, Barry and Beverly openly admit their love of ice-dancing and explore their shared passion together.

A Peck Of Familial Love

Adam and Brea attempt remaining just friends post-breakup, while Beverly goes out of her way to protect Adam from further heartbreak. Meanwhile, Barry tries to get closer with Erica.

The Steve Weekend

When Erica and Geoff plan a joint bachelor/bachelorette party at the beach, Barry finds himself face-to-face with his ex-girlfriends and their current boyfriends - causing him to spiral in his attempt to stand out during the festivities. Meanwhile, Adam decides to intervene when Lou takes over planning the wedding video, ultimately bringing the families together.

The Wedding

After learning no one made the deposit on the wedding venue, Geoff scrambles to help fix the oversight before Beverly finds out; and to make matters worse, a weather advisory threatens a major storm is imminent which could jeopardize the entire event on the landmark 200th episode.

The Downtown Boys

Barry and his friends try to reclaim their youth by forming a boy band, but they quickly learn they aren't kids anymore. Meanwhile, Adam has the keys to Erica's downtown apartment but realizes he's not cut out for city life.

The Strangest Affair Of All Time

When Murray goes out of town, Jane Bales (Leslie Grossman) attempts to make a power grab at the Ottoman Empire, forcing Beverly to retaliate. Meanwhile, Adam is thrilled to learn that Dave Kim (Kenny Ridwan) also plans to attend NYU. The excitement is short-lived when Adam weighs the cost of his popularity after the two agree to be college roommates.

School-ercise

When Beverly steps in for PE coach at William Penn Academy, Adam reluctantly takes her Jazzercise class. He is surprised to find enjoyment in it, until Beverly suffers an embarrassing incident - causing Adam the ultimate humiliation. Brea steps in to show Adam his mother's good intentions and he ultimately comes to her defense. Meanwhile, Barry and Geoff find themselves both up for the same medical internship - causing conflict in their budding friendship.

Grand Theft Scooter

Beverly decides to join Adam and Brea on their much-anticipated beachside vacation in Miami to take of care of Pops' possessions at his Florida condominium. Meanwhile, Barry's celebratory joy after acing the MCAT is short-lived after Erica becomes the local hero when she saves a man from choking at the mall food court.

Sunday Chow-Fun Day

With Adam's graduation approaching, Beverly debates staying on as William Penn Academy's Quaker Warden. Forever butting heads with principal Ball, her choice also affects his decision to stay or not. Meanwhile, Erica tries to get out of the Schwartz's longstanding tradition of dinner together every Sunday and the subsequent household chores. She soon realizes the importance of finding balance between the demands of family and marriage.

One Exquisite Evening With Madonna

After a mold issue at home forces Erica and Geoff to stay at the Goldberg house, Beverly senses tensions in their marriage and seizes the opportunity to impart a little marital advice.

Adam Graduates

Graduation day is approaching and everyone, especially Adam, is ready - except for Beverly who is not coping well with the idea of an empty nest. Meanwhile, with Geoff's encouragement, Erica decides to try out for Cyndi Lauper as a one-time backup singer replacement. Ultimately, resurrecting her singing dreams doesn't manifest, but bigger and exciting new beginnings await her and the Goldbergs.