Since I watched the season as it was going, I didn't have the benefit of binge-watching. This meant I had to wait weeks between episodes sometimes. Oh, the travesty! And when is Adam going to pair up with the Duffers to make a Stranger Things crossover? It would totally work!
I enjoyed most of season four, as you can tell from my extensive list of favorite episodes. My sons and I even joke around about some of the things that happened on the show. We do this thing that Evie and Erica do to each other in one of the episodes, where they shush each other at the same time. And the swear/geek/attitude jar scene is always a classic to act out. And, of course, we call each other "shmoopie."
Episode 1-Breakfast Club
As a new school year begins, the Goldberg kids end up in Saturday detention. How could you NOT love such a fun tribute to a classic '80s flick?!?
Episode 5-Stefan King
Adam tries to be a horror writer in the vein of Stephen King. However, his efforts get him grounded on Halloween when Beverly discovers that she's the basis for the monster in his story. Meanwhile, a desperate Erica forces Barry to be her "date" at the school's costume dance. Two words: Suddenly. Seymour.
Episode 8-The Greatest Musical Ever Written
A school musical production creates strife between Adam and Barry while substitute teacher Beverly creates havoc in Erica's class. Perfect episode for musical theater geeks like myself! See the trailer here.
Episode 11-O Captain! My Captain!
Barry tries to prove Beverly wrong in his chemistry class while Adam needs Erica's advice for his friendship with Emmy. I cried from this one.
Episode 14-The Spencer's Gift
Erica and Barry get jobs at Spencer's Gifts, then Murray insists that Adam get a job as well, but Beverly is adamant that Adam focus on filmmaking. I love how Barry turned out to be the better employee.
Episode 15-So Swayze It's Crazy
Beverly's on a mission to make Adam a film star. One part made me think of the season one finale of FRIENDS, but with a better ending. That totally made the episode for me. Episode 16-The Kara-te Kid
The ultimate karate battle between the Adams. BEST episode of the season, hands down! Sooooo many funny moments. I even made my husband watch it. And there's a special treat at the way end...
Episode 17-Deadheads
Barry's JTP membership is in jeopardy while a family swear jar is introduced. I love the multiple jar scene. (Or should we call it Jar Jar? That wouldn't make sense in the '80s though!)
Episode 19-A Night to Remember
Prom night at school. Lots of sweet moments. This is also the episode where Adam and Jackie first meet. One part reminded me of SAVED BY THE BELL.
Episode 21-Fonzie Scheme
Beverly's attempts to find Murray a hobby backfire; Erica comes to the rescue when Barry's scheme to steal golf carts goes awry. The golf cart scenes were so funny.
Episode 23-Jedi Master Adam Skywalker
Erica and Barry's curiosity with the yearbook's best goes awry. However, I love how they make it up to Adam. I also loved Adam's power trip.
Episode 24-Graduation Day
Erica's graduation, Barry's summer plans and Adam's relationship go awry. It was nice to see Dana again, even though she and Adam were out of sync. The graduation scene was funny too. If you're a fan, tell me your favorite episodes from season four!
I was going to give up on Speechless after watching the first episode. It had some funny moments, but I worried that Minnie Driver's character was the British Beverly Goldberg. As much as I love Beverly, that's just too much for me in one sitting. So I took a break. Then I decided to give it another chance and I'm so glad I did. Speechless is one of the funniest sitcoms I've seen in a long time. I love everything about it from the characters to the acting to the story lines to the way they tackle sensitive issues relating to disabilities. Minnie Driver's Maya is really just a Mama Bear standing up for the rights of her son who has physical disabilities. She's fighting for inclusion and making sure he is treated fairly by his school.
I honestly don't have a favorite character. I love them all. Even Kenneth! John Ross Bowie plays Jimmy, the father. His character is way more likable than Kripke from Big Bang Theory. I can't believe they are played by the same person! He is more subdued than Maya, but has his own ways of being funny and quirky. I love the connection he has with Dylan, played by Kyla Kenedy. I like Dylan because she marches to her own beat. Ray, played by Mason Cook, is one of the most hilarious characters on the show. He reminds me of my younger son in some ways. (Maybe it's a middle child thing.) I love watching his relationships with both J.J. and Dylan. And J.J., of course, who is the heart and soul of the series. I love that they cast someone who is physically disabled in real life to play him. While he can talk outside of the show, his character can't. Each episode gets its title from the way people read J.J.'s messages from his speech board. They'll spell out the first few letters from a word before they say the whole word. I love how J.J. is fighting for independence and we can see that stuff really bothers him. Like when people talk about him like he's not in the room or try to help him with something he wants to do by himself. He's not happy all the time and the show has addressed some heavier issues that go along with having a family member who has disabilities. And yes, he has his share of really funny moments on the show, such as the clever ways he gets around the city by himself.
And let's not forget about Kenneth, played by Cedric Yarbrough. I've seen Cedric on The Goldbergs and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, but this role is perfect for him. He is J.J.'s "voice," meaning he sits by him and reads aloud from his speech board. He's also J.J.'s physical aide and driver. Kenneth somehow manages to make a role for himself in the DiMeo family and tends to annoy Maya, even though they do get along sometimes. The show really needs to win an Emmy for best ensemble cast, if such an award exists. Best writing too!
I want to share about some of my favorite episodes. This is one of those shows that doesn't have to be watched in order, even though it does help. Each episode has it's own arc and doesn't really continue into the next all that much. However, you might miss some inside jokes by watching out of order. All the episodes I've chosen below were just really funny and clever, standing out from the rest of the episodes in the series. I think you just need to watch the show to see why I love it so much. I'm glad to hear that it's been renewed for a second season. You have the whole summer to catch up, so I hope you'll give it a chance! If you already watch, I'd love to hear which episodes stand out the most for you!
Before I share my list of favorites, here is a trailer for the first episode:
I-N-S--INSPIRATIONS
Exploring the city on their own, J.J. and Kenneth realize strangers see them as inspirational. The two push their luck, receiving free food and admission to baseball games and things soon fall apart. Meanwhile, as the family usually can't do anything without having to worry about wheelchair accessibility, Dylan and Ray convince Maya to take them paint-balling while J.J. is out. But can Maya let herself have fun without J.J.?
H-A-L-- HALLOWEEN
Jimmy is upset the kids no longer want to participate in the family tradition of dressing up for Halloween. Maya tries to cheer up Jimmy by allowing him to do things he loves by taking things off the family "Dead to Me" list. Meanwhile, Ray recruits Dylan to help work the school's haunted mansion while Kenneth is scared of losing his job when JJ gets drunk at a party. Even though Maya is furious, she is thrilled to see JJ having a "normal" life.
T-H-A-- THANKSGIVING
The DiMeos are forced to celebrate Thanksgiving with Jimmy's brother and family.
C-H-O-CHOIR
Ray and JJ join the school choir to enhance their resumes for college. The family has thier van stolen which leads to a Christmas miracle. Julianna Hough guest stars.
R-O--ROAD T-R--TRIP
The Dimeos go on their annual family road trip.
S-I - SICK D-A-- DAY
Sick bay claims Maya and Kenneth, forcing Jimmy to take the reins of the DiMeo household as Dylan looks after JJ, who returns the favor by running interference between her and a boy she likes.
V-A-L-- VALENTINE'S D-A-- DAY
Maya attempts to give Jimmy a Valentine's Day gift, with the help of his old roommate and her ex-fiance while Ray is elated to find out he has a secret admirer, but will he learn the truth of who it is? Meanwhile, JJ is in charge of distributing candy-grams, which proves challenging for both him and Kenneth
S-U-R-- SURPRISE!
Maia throws a Birthday Party for Dylan against her wishes. Jimmy and Kenneth try and find something in common
D-I - DING
After leaving a note behind Maya's back, Ray takes sides against the family when Maya dings a nearby car. Following through on a promise, Jimmy and Dylan share a moment, as father and daughter are on a search in the back room at the local supermarket while JJ teaches a rude customer a lesson, and a moonlighting Kenneth hides his side job from the DiMeos.
P-R-- PROM
It's prom night, and all three DiMeo kids are going, which leaves Maya and Jimmy with a rare night to themselves. Kenneth is shocked to learn that they like to spend their nights without the kids to bring up past arguments they have bottled up or ignored in the past. Later at school, Ray thinks he is finally about to have his first make-out session with a girl, but learns differently when she uses the "R" word. Meanwhile, a wary JJ bonds with someone who is sick of being the center of attention at school functions.
C-A-- CAMP
As the family readies for their flight to JJ's camp, Maya gets a surprise at the airport. Ray sees the summer as an opportunity to reinvent himself while Jimmy and Dylan turn the trip to camp into a father/daughter bonding moment.
