‘The Goldbergs’: How Jeff Garlin’s Murray Was Written Off In Season 10 Premiere

Dealing with the loss of a lead actor is no easy task, but ABC’s The Goldbergs chose to kill off their character instead of phasing them out gradually.

Murray’s death was revealed in late September by show runner Alex Barnow, who stated that Season 10 will pick up several months after his passing.

In the Season 10 premiere, which addressed Murray’s departure in the voiceover opening, Adam recapped what the various family members had been up to over the summer with a focus on significant changes in their lives.

“That year, there was one change that made everything stop,” Adam added as the camera moved from one side of the living room to the other, where Murray’s favorite chair remained empty while the music grew more solemn.

“Just a few months ago, out of nowhere, we lost my dad,” Adam began. “We will always love you, dad. Always. And we will find a way to continue on together. Because, after all, we’re the Goldbergs.”

The family kept a memento of Murray in the home after most of his belongings were discarded, since his recliner — initially abandoned but then resuscitated by Pop Pop — was ultimately converted into a glider for Erica’s baby in the nursery.

“It turns out the people we say goodbye to never really leave us. But that doesn’t mean we don’t miss them,” Brian said in a voiceover near the episode’s conclusion.

Garlin left The Goldbergs in December following allegations of misconduct.

“This is going to be a family that has not reconciled the fact that their father’s gone but has sort of moved on and has dealt with a lot of that,” Barnow added last month. “We’re starting with optimism about [Erica’s] baby coming and looking forward to the future. It’s an opportunity for this interesting emotional basis for the way people are behaving.”