Good Times (TV Series) The Break Up (1976) User Reviews

Last appearance of Carl Franklin as Larry

[kevinolzak · 6/10 · 30 December 2016]

"The Break Up" opens with JJ questioning how much Thelma really loves her boyfriend Larry Walters (Carl Franklin, introduced in "Love in the Ghetto"), since the two seem to have nothing in common. As a garage mechanic he often discusses his work days fixing carburetors or radiators. When young Michael admits he's already been in love three times this year, the experienced JJ dismisses it as puppy love: "I may get 'em when they're puppies, but you get 'em when they're dogs!" Larry's news of becoming co-owner of his uncle's garage in California leaves the Evans family shaken, as they expect he'll ask Thelma to go with him. Thelma realizes that she and Larry may be together, yet are headed in opposite directions. Their final dinner features an expensive menu displaying live Maine lobster: "maybe we should order a dead one!"

JJ and Thelma get onto the same page

[gregorycanfield · 10/10 · 17 August 2021]

This is an important episode, with an unnecessarily downbeat ending. This is a belated follow-up to "Love in the Ghetto." This was Larry's second appearance in the series. Therefore, it wasn't entirely clear why he and Thelma couldn't have worked out a solution. We hadn't seen enough of Larry and Thelma together. So, the reason they were "going in different directions" wasn't obvious. However, what resonates here is JJ and Thelma showing their love for each other. This brother and sister can make the transition from a "hassle" to a completely different level. That transition seems to be almost effortless, because that's how close JJ and Thelma really are. As in the previous "Love in the Ghetto," JJ is the only family member that Thelma could have related to. In the restaurant scene, Thelma proves that she truly is JJ's sister. She even starts acting like a female version of JJ! In reference to the title, I don't think it was necessary to have Thelma and Larry break up. However, the JJ and Thelma angle was so nice to watch, all else could be forgiven.

Thelma's 2nd Engagement Marriage Breakup

[princessoftheringlizzie · 2/10 · 1 May 2021]

Thelma's 2nd Engagement Marriage & 2nd Engagement Marriage Breakup 19 Episodes Later In Season 3 To Larry.