09x03 - Riptide Waters

Episode transcripts for the TV show "The Goldbergs". Aired: September 2013 to present.*
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"The Goldbergs" is set in the 1980s in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania and shows the reality of the '80s from a young boy's eyes.
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09x03 - Riptide Waters

Post by bunniefuu »

ADULT ADAM: Back in the ' s,
water parks were the peak of childhood fun.


They were wet, wild,
and incredibly dangerous.


Seriously, what were we thinking?

[Doorbell rings]

Adam, do you have a moment

to talk about our Lord and Savior?

Joshin'. [Chuckles]

I am here to talk about
something way less urgent

than your holy salvation...
our local water park.

Riptide Waters?

I'm here gathering signatures
to shut the park down.

Would you care to add
your Johnny Hancock?

BARRY: Hell no.

Riptide Waters is a beloved institution.

I spent many a summer
splashing, sunning,

and forcing Adam down slides

he wasn't legally tall enough
to go down.

Can't see tears
when you're dripping wet.

Well, your "beloved institution"

is the reason I tore my rotator cuff.

How'd you do it?

Were you running against
the lifeguard's orders?

I was merely riding my favorite
slide, the Atomic Tsunami.

The Atomic Tsunami rules.

I hit a dry spot in the Funnel Tunnel

and found myself stuck backwards
in complete darkness.

A mere ribbon of light to let me know

that I was still of this earth.

I couldn't figure out the handle on
a porta-potty once, so I feel ya.

First person to crash into me
was a boy named Oliver.

We had a moment to introduce ourselves.

- Then came the others.
- Dear God.

That's what I said, over and over again,

as teen after slippery teen
slammed into my contorted body.

So how did you get out and
end up here whining about it?

Finally, the pressure became too much

and we exploded down Wizard's Wash.

Alone and terrified, I also realized

that I swallowed a tremendous
amount of water and Band-Aids.

Alone? You were there by yourself?

Who I was with or not with
is not the takeaway here.

It's not not the takeaway.

Don't spin this.

I was the one
who was gruesomely injured.

And when I tried to complain

to the smug and tan teen
manning the slide,

he blew his whistle sharply at me.

That's Blake. He's hilarious.

You are intentionally ignoring
the gravity of this situation.

Yeah, we are, 'cause we're going
to the water park.

Trumpets of revelation!
How could you do that?

Your hilarious story has reminded me

how awesome Riptide Waters is.

Ad, get your water shoes,
your nose plug, and your swim bonnet.

- Chop, chop.
- It's not a swim bonnet.

It just happens to billow in the back

and also ties around my neck.

That sure sounds like a bonnet.

And it doesn't matter.

Because I'm not going anywhere
near that place.

Then who am I supposed to
ride down the slide with,

two-man human-canoe style?

You mean when you sat on me and
used me as a raft to go faster?

So many cherished screams.

No thanks.

I need to figure out
how to get off the NYU waitlist

because my guidance counselor
spends all his time

alone in his swim trunks.

If I don't have
a healthy worklife balance,

I am no good to you.

What's the big rush to go to college?

- You're .
- I'm almost !

You're my baby brother.

I think I know better than you
how old you are.

It is surprising
when Adam says his real age.

It's like, "Whaaaa?"

- Anyway, someone wanna sign this thing?
- Never.

In fact, I'm starting a counter petition

to keep the park open.

- That's not how it works.
- Out you go!

Ow! That's my good shoulder!

Who's gonna do my household chores?!

♪ I'm twisted up inside ♪

♪ But nonetheless,
I feel the need to say ♪


♪ I don't know the future ♪

♪ But the past keeps getting
clearer every day ♪


It was October th, -something,

and my mom and sister were excited

to plan Erica's wedding.

They just couldn't agree
on the specifics.


Or anything, really.

Okay, let's add
some beautiful marigolds,

or as we, in the floral industry,

refer to them
as "teardrops from heaven."

I like those. What do you think, Mom?

I think we, outside the floral industry,

refer to those
as "crapdrops from Crapville."

Another, uh, visit to Crapville.

I know what we need.

Opulence, luxury,

and all the orchids
on the Eastern seaboard.

Orchids are pretty temperamental.

So am I.

Which would you rather deal with?

Uh, don't I get a say in this?
I'm the bride.

So? I made the bride.

None of this would be possible
without my flexible pelvis.

Such powerful imagery.

If only my head was like
an Etch A Sketch.

Nope. Still there.

Control your body, Geoff.

And this is my special day.

You don't get to choose stuff.

I get to choose all the stuff.

Then why don't you get married to Geoff?

He should be so lucky.

I'd be an excellent life partner
for your young beau.

This won't creep into
my anxiety dreams tonight.

See ya there.



Yo. Erica's special friend. Move.

- I'm sorry?
- You should be.

You're blocking my eye line.

I can't see what "Small Wonder"
has to say.

She may be a tiny robot,
but she's big on life advice.

Speaking of which,

Erica and Mrs. G are really
going at it in there.

Should I intervene?

I have a policy about
not getting involved

in anything in any way,

especially when it comes
to mothers and daughters.

That's worked for you?

I'm silently watching TV
with my best friend, aren't I?

We haven't uttered a word
to each other in five hours.

So I'm supposed to just watch
my future bride lose her mind

while I shop for cummerbunds?

Look who's the small wonder now.

If you're worried about
how to support your betrothed,

there's one thing you can do...
marriage class.

You think that could help us?

It helped me and Dolores.

Now I'm only slightly terrified
when she says we have to talk.

I live my life in constant terror!

Then let this be my gift to you.

A five-pack of sessions

with esteemed
relationship expert, Dr. Carl.

He sounds very good.

He might be the best.

Or the only person
that does this in the area.

The only lesson the boy needs

is to buy a chair,
sit in it, and shut up.

- Ugh! I can't believe that woman!
- Good news.

I know a way to support you
and for us to grow

even closer as a couple...
Dr. Carl's marriage class.

The doctor part might not be official,

but he did lock down a multi-use room

with a nice selection of teas.

So, do you wanna grow
as a couple over some Earl Grey?

I have another idea.

You go by yourself,
and you learn how to not give me

one more thing to do while
I'm fighting with my mother

and planning a wedding.

I'll go by myself.

- I'm sure it's not weird.
- Oh, it will be.

While Erica had left Geoff high and dry,

the fight over Riptide Waters raged on.

Why, hello, young lady.
Is your mother home?

Well, aren't you a big ball of charm.

I am playful, but to be clear,

I am here with a petition
for you to sign.

Stop.

Don't sign that man's dumb thing.

- Sign my dumb thing.
- [Sighs]

Barry Troublemaking Goldberg,
what are you doing?

Just keeping Riptide Waters open

for future generations to enjoy.

Every child deserves water fun

in a barely supervised atmosphere.

Incorrect. All acres are
an aquatic t*rture chamber.

Ooh! You know how
Gravity Falls dumps out

- into an actual river?
- Mm-hmm.

I once hit a trout
who swallowed my wedding ring.

Exactly.

It's a hazard for child
and odd lady alike.

Yeah, I'm gonna sign neither
and shut the door.

Yes! Your loss is my win.

Plus, I've already gotten
like signatures.

These aren't real signatures.
"Pete Zapaya"?

He's a romantic Italian gentleman.

"John A. Signature"?

The entire Signature family
is behind me.

"The Real Charles Barkley"?

He wouldn't sign his name like that.

I was surprised, too,
but here it is in ink.

I'm not giving up.

I'm gonna knock on every door in town

until that park is closed.

Not if I knock on them first.

- Youthful run!
- Dang it!

As Barry and Mr. Glascott
were hitting the streets,


- Geoff was returning home with good news.
- I did it.

I went to Dr. Carl's
marriage class all by myself.

You're coming in with
a lot of energy I can't match,

so get it all out now.

After the super awkward first minutes

convincing them you were real,

I gained a greater understanding

of how to be a supportive
partner to you.

And I'm all for whatever you just said,

but... [sighs] sorry,

my mom's trying on her dress
for the wedding,

- and I'm worried.
- Don't.

All eyes will be on you.

BEVERLY: ♪ Here comes the mom ♪

♪ Here comes the mom ♪

[Chuckles] What do you think?

Wow. Wow. Wow.

Don't worry. I know
it seems tight in through here,

but it's still roomy enough
at the bottom

for me to do my dance solo.

- [Snaps fingers]
- It's white.

It is egg cream.

It's clearly a bridal gown.

Do you want me to coordinate
with you or not?

We're practically twin sisters,
or so I expect to hear.

It's supposed to be my day.

And it will be. Mostly.

You are unbelievable.

In that moment, Geoff had a choice...

do nothing like my dad suggested,

or stand up and support his wife

like he learned from Dr. Carl.

Mrs. Goldberg, I have to say
something you need to hear.

Oh, my.

Are you gathering yourself
right now, Geoffrey?

[Chuckles]

Your spine doesn't have
that usual candy cane shape.

I love your daughter,

and I want this wedding to be
a positive experience for her,

so I am respectfully asking you
to take a step back.

[Dramatic music plays]

I see.

Message received.

Uh... okay.

Great. [Chuckles] That went well.

- What went well?
- Your loving and supportive fiancé

just asked your mother
to take a step back.

A step back?

As in backwards?

As in away from the wedding?

Why is your tone
so haunting and ominous?

It went well. She even said, "I see."

This is bad.

This is really bad.

"I see." She saw.

Even if she says she saw,
she never sees.

- I see.
- Do you?

I see that I saw differently
that she said she saw.

- What?
- I don't know!

Erica, it has come to my attention

that your fiancé hates me

and wants nothing more to do with me.

That's not what I said.

I've been kicked out
of your lives forever.

An old bottle of Mountain Dew
hucked out the window

and left to yellow and fade
on the highway of life.

I love Mountain Dew.

It's not just a beverage,
it's a lifestyle.

Here are holiday, birthday,
and get-well cards

for my yet-to-be-conceived
grandchildren.

Make sure they know my name,
my face, and my story of loss.

If you need me, I will be crying
in my room for eternity.

The hell, dude?

Dr. Carl would say
find the positive here.

With your mother less involved,

now we can plan the wedding
that you want.

I guess that would be nice.

There we go. "Nice."

"Awesome's" slightly
less exciting cousin.

Okay, let's do it.

Wedding stuff.

I can't believe I was worried

just 'cause Dr. Carl
wears a leather sun hat.

As Geoff was heeding the
lessons of his new therapist,


I was seeking the guidance
of my favorite counselor.


Mr. Glascott, you have a minute?

Uh, sure. Let me just put these away.

[Grunting]

Ow! King of kings!

My buttocks.

I know about your shoulder,
but what happened to your...

Delicate rump?

It's a delayed injury
from the water slide.

I woke up this a.m.
with a purpled haunch.

I'm just gonna start.

I need to juice up my high school résumé

if I'm gonna get into NYU.

Getting involved in a cause
or a charity always looks good.

And right now,
there's a lone, broken man

fighting the good fight,

and he sure could use some help
collecting signatures.

That's a great idea.

I'll help Barry save the water park.

I'm talking about me.

But Barry's on the side
of an adored local business.

You're like the mean, old developer

trying to close down
the community center.

Developer?

I can't even afford two pieces of bread.

Every sandwich I make is open-faced.

I say it's bruschetta, but it is not.

Have you considered folding the bread?

Just go do your thing!

Aw, my fundament.

Barry! I'm helping you
save Riptide Waters!

Oh, finally!

My hand's cramping up

from copying all these names
out of the phone book.

But we won't need fake signatures.

We need to paint a picture

of what this park
really means to people.

Like a mural of different faces
on a downtown wall?

- No, Barry. We're making a movie.
- Better.

And I only wasted
three days of college on this.

Geoff and Erica had cut my mom
out of the wedding planning


and were hoping the rest
would be a piece of cake.


Mmm. What do you think?

- I don't know.
- It's rich.

Moist. Chocolatey.

But is it chocolatey enough?

It's called "Death By Chocolate," so...

So, it's too chocolatey?

What if a dog gets ahold of it?

How many dogs are gonna be
at our wedding?

What if the caterers are blind?

- All of them?
- It could happen.

How many seeing eye dogs have to die

for our one day of happiness, Geoff?

Mine's spongy.

Why are you here again?

It's a cake tasting. Need I explain?

- I can't do this.
- Babe, it shouldn't be this hard.

It wouldn't be
if you hadn't fired my mom.

She was making you miserable.

Not as miserable as I am right now.

Tied in knots about cakes

and your total indifference about dogs.

I-I can't do this.

I told you so.

I was gonna say, "I'm not
gonna say I told you so,"

but this buttercream is making
me a lot less sassy.

- You're a wonderful resource.
- It's mothers and daughters.

You're not gonna understand,
and you never will.

But Dr. Carl said...

Dr. Carl doesn't sound like
a real doctor.

He went to the medical school of life.

The road was his teacher,

and he says they still keep in touch.

Just stay out of it.

years of letting it silently
wash over you, then you die.

That's the goal.

As Geoff's wedding plans
were falling apart,


Barry and I got the JTP together

to film a heartfelt testimonial
for our favorite water park.


What's your favorite moment
at Riptide Waters?

I guess when I lost my trunks
on the water slide.

When I was made a junior
lifeguard at Full Moon Lagoon.

For me, it's the wave pool.

So, I'm just flying down
this slide a-and whoop!

There goes my shorts.

The girls gave me a lot of attention

when I had that whistle.

Especially Stacy Leiberman.

One time, I was under the water
for eight whole minutes.

[Chuckles] At least...
At least I think it was eight.

I-I've forgotten a lot about that day.

The trunks are the only thing really
slowing you down when you're on the slide,

so I just kept going faster and faster.

You remember when Stacy
"went missing" in the Lagoon

and people were going crazy
and the park manager was like,

"You can swim, right? Get in there."

I do remember sinking to the bottom

and feeling really at peace.

And I just came sh**ting
out of that slide,

uh, skipped across the pool
like a stone across a lake.

I dove into that lagoon again
and again looking for Stacy,

but I couldn't...
I-I-I couldn't find her.


And then I saw my grandma,

a-and she had this bright, warm light

coming from behind her,
but also from within.

I looked around for my suit,
but it was gone.

It doesn't make any sense,

but deep down, I know the park took it.

At the end of the day, the
manager said it was all a joke.

That Stacy was never even there,
and... and I believed him.

I was just a boy.

I could smell my grandma's perfume.

Although, it might have been
the aftershave

of the lifeguard
that was resuscitating me.

Then I noticed everyone looking at me.

So many judging eyes.

I-I lied to myself and embraced it.

I didn't want to, but I had to.
I had to be Naked Rob.

I never saw Stacy again.

Did I die?

Aaand cut, I guess?

Gentlemen, well done.

Your boring stories
are gonna save this place.

Maybe I'm not Naked Rob.

Maybe I'm just a boy who lost his suit.

There's a darkness
in the corner of my soul.

Did I bring something back with me?

Maybe we shouldn't be trying
to keep this place open.

As Barry's dreams
of keeping the park open faded,


Geoff fought to keep
their wedding planning


from turning into a total nightmare.

Thank you both for coming.

Uh, if this is your apology bouquet

for balling up your hand
and punching me in the heart,

it is vastly too small.

I can't sit back and watch
you two tear each other apart,

so I came up with a solution.

From now on,
a totally neutral third party

will be making all of our decisions,

and her name is Penny.

She's gonna decide everything.

A coin flip?

What if it flips to the side
I don't want?

You haven't thought this through, Geoff.

Studies show that people who flip a coin

are more likely to follow
through with their decisions

and report higher overall happiness.

My podiatrist's nephew flipped a penny

right down his throat one time.

It lodged in his intestines
and gave him copper poisoning.

Doctors had to remove
his intestinal tract

and hook his stomach directly
to his home's sewer pipe.

Now he lives and works
in the bathroom as a telemarketer.

His hours are as flexible
as his discharge hose.

None of that ever happened
to a human person,

but she does have a point.

I don't want to leave things
up to chance.

This is a simple and elegant solution.

Back me up here, Mrs. Kremp.

You're a sweet boy,
but I-I don't want to weigh in

on anything around here.

[Whispers] Don't marry in.

Let me demonstrate.

Heads, we go with marigolds.
Tails, we don't.

Oh, jillickers! My cornea!

I'm so sorry.

I have a living scriptures
performance tonight!

Did you happen to see where it landed?

The only thing I can see
is a blurry doofus

who doesn't know
how to flip a dern penny.

Now I have to go rinse out
my eyeball in the sink.

So it's settled. Orchids it is.

No. I want marigolds.

Erica, you are my whole heart
and my firstborn,

but you have [bleep] for brains.

Enough!

Maybe the penny was a bad idea,

but all you've been doing
is making each other miserable.

I'm really excited for our wedding,

but if you two can't figure out
a way to get along,

then maybe we just shouldn't have one.

[Door opens, closes]

I don't know.

It feels a little puffy.
Can either of you tell?

Looks the same way it always does.

As Geoff's attempt at peace
blew up in his face,


the water park's chances at
staying open was fizzling out.


Mr. Glascott,
with your harrowing testimony,

and the signatures
from the concerned community,

you make quite a case.

If I can keep one person

from being pummeled by human
missiles, it was worth it.

Stop the proceedings!

I have something to show

the honorable Safety Board monsignors.

Stupid democracy.

The name of Riptide Waters
amusement park

has been besmirched.

Okay, this young man obviously stumbled

into using "besmirched" correctly.

On this video,
you will find testimonials

un-smirching the heretofore
re-smirched virtues

of Riptide Waters.

♪ ♪

Riptide Waters rules!

Rules! Rules! Rules!

Memories!

Keee-yah!

Splashing!

Gravity, gravity, gravity.

Chlorine!

Shoes... not mandatory.

Riptide Waters rules!

Water park saved.

It was not.

It is our opinion

that Riptide Waters be shut down

at close of business tomorrow.

We lost? How?

I think Mr. Glascott made
a far more coherent case.

But on the bright side,
the NYU admissions department

should really appreciate
my attempt at activism.

NYU?

Is that the only reason you did this?

Bar, I'll miss Riptide Waters, too,

but sometimes, you have to move on.

Like you going off to college.

What does that have to do with this?

Don't you get it?

All those special times are behind us.

Not just the water park.
Our whole childhood.

Even worse, I'm the only one who cares.

After losing it on my mom and my sister,

Geoff went to see
the only person who'd listen...


- Dr. Carl.
- Geofferoni!

Did you finally bring
your mysterious better half?

No. It's just me again.

That's okay, amigo.

Dr. Carl is happy to work
with the clay he has.

Ooh! I hear footsteps.

Hey. Sorry I'm tardy.

Dolores is in the car applying eyeliner.

She just sent me in to let everyone know

that I'm an insensitive man
who doesn't understand

that "you look tired"
is not a helpful comment, so...

Erica? You're here?

And your parents are, too,
for some reason?

My dad thought it would be a good idea

for us to talk it out
with a professional.

Or this guy, I guess.

Mr. G, you actually did something?

Maybe I realized that you're right.

You can't always sit on the sidelines.

This is so exciting.

- There are so many things we can...
- Bup-bup-bup!

Not you.

This is about the girl and her mother.

Apparently, I'm a bit of a handful.

We both are.

Geoff, I'm sorry that
I didn't make it here until now.

I'm incredibly lucky to have someone

who cares so much about my happiness.

- Aww.
- Now b*at it.

The couple who really needs
counseling is me and this one.

Let's go.

So, Geoff tells me there's been
a little conflict lately.

I admit, sometimes, I am very aggressive

in my style, taste, and tone,
but that's only because

I want the perfect wedding for my baby.

The perfect wedding would be
if we could plan it together.

I need you, but I also need a voice.

I suppose that makes sense.

And I suppose the road to healing

is just around the next bend.

Let's go there together, shall we?

I'm in. Hearing other people's problems

reminds me that mine aren't so big.

While my mom and Erica

were finally sorting out their issues,

Barry was having one last day
at Riptide Waters.


Whoa! Why the long line?

Apparently, some kid
with prescription swim goggles

is too afraid to go down.

Adam?

Adam! Let me through!

I'm his brother, future doctor,
and childhood hero!

Barry, what are you doing here?

I heard you were scared to go down.

Climb in my arms,

and I'll carry you past
your peers like a wet baby.

It's not fear.

I got up here and started
thinking about what you said.

You're right.
Our childhood is slipping away.

It's crazy, but the moment I go
down this slide, it's all over.

I've been thinking about it, too,

and yeah, we're never
getting those times back.

- Now you're giving up, too?
- No.

It's just...

maybe we should stop looking back

and start looking forward.

So we should make new memories together?

Damn right.

No matter where we are
in the world or how old we get,

or how erotically demanding
my supermodel wife is,

I'll always make time for you.

Me, too. [Chuckles]

So... one last trip
down the Atomic Tsunami?

Human canoe-style?

Is there any other way?

I'm asking. Is there any other way?

That's the thing about memories.

Whether cherishing ones from the past

or planning new ones for the future,

when we share them
with the people we love,


life gets a little rosier.

Your colorful sweaters
have taken a confusing turn.

Oh, thank you.

- I do look amazing.
- I didn't say that.

Great news. My magic show was perfect!

Only two pigeons didn't make it.

Adam, help me to the door.

My heels keep catching on the fabric.

Oh, good.

My mom's going to school
as Madonna today.

Pish-posh.

Your mother's wearing
a wedding gown to school.

Get over yourself.

BARRY: Ha! You're marrying Mom.

I'm surprised the state's allowing this,

but I knew this day would come.

Mazel tov, you two.



Ohhh, no.
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