Cowboy Country

This was another strong episode of a show that knows what it does/doesn't do well, and plays to the strengths of its cast wonderfully.

Great stuff.

'Cowboy Country' maintains a sincerity that I haven't seen on "The Goldbergs" up to this point. Not to this degree, at least. The trials faced by Adam and Dana, Barry and Lainey are braved in the service of just trying to impress one's significant other; and it feels genuine. The jokes all seem to land, too. Factor in the poignant use of Dire Straits' "Romeo and Juliet" and David Koechner's die-hard Dallas fan and it's an episode that's as entertaining as it is touching.

This show usually works on a somewhat superficial level; fun, but goes as easily as it comes.

Here, it leaves a real imprint.

9/10