Ep 17. Episode 17

Adam Goldberg, a precocious and imaginative teenager growing up in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania in the 1980s, takes center stage in The Goldbergs season 1 episode 17, entitled "Episode 17." In this installment, Adam's aspiring filmmaker dreams are put to the test as he embarks on a school project to create a satire of the popular sci-fi franchise Star Wars.

With the help of his best friend, the idiosyncratic and frequently-shirtless Chad Kremp, Adam sets out to produce a spoof called "Spaceballs," featuring himself in the lead role as the heroic "Lone Starr." Along the way, he enlists the aid of his siblings Barry and Erica, who offer varying degrees of enthusiasm (or lack thereof) for his filmmaking ambitions.

However, when Adam's overbearing and typically clueless father, Murray, becomes convinced that the project is a waste of time and money, he threatens to put an end to Adam's budding filmmaking career. Meanwhile, Adam's mother Beverly, herself a larger-than-life figure with a penchant for shouting and meddling, tries to drum up support for her son's movie by enlisting her neighbors and friends to appear in the film.

As the project progresses, Adam and Chad find themselves facing a myriad of obstacles, from the temperamental Star Wars-loving Lucas Kremp (Chad's older brother and one of Adam's frequent nemeses) to technical difficulties with their homemade special effects. Undeterred, the young filmmakers soldier on, dedicating themselves to their vision and dreaming of becoming the next Steven Spielberg.

Throughout the episode, classic '80s references abound, from Star Wars to Ghostbusters, as well as nods to modern-day pop culture like The Hunger Games and Sharknado. Despite the humor and nostalgia, however, the heart of the story remains Adam's unwavering determination to pursue his creative passions, even in the face of opposition from his family and the world at large.

The Goldbergs season 1 episode 17 offers a delightful blend of humor, heart, and '80s nostalgia, as viewers are treated to Adam's hilarious and heartfelt journey as a young filmmaker in the making. With standout performances from the entire cast, including Sean Giambrone as Adam and Wendi McLendon-Covey as Beverly, this episode is a must-watch for fans of the series and anyone who has ever dared to dream big.