Two weeks ago,on This is Us, we got to see the ‘big three’ Pearson siblings grow and take a step forward in their character arc. Kate took charge in her life and her relationship. Randall took a big step in his campaign as he finally found his footing in the district. Kevin continued his quest to find the mysterious Vietnamese woman in the photo with his father, a quest that has culminated in he and Zoe traveling to Vietnam.
This week’s episode focuses mainly on Kevin’s search and juxtaposes that with Jack and Rebecca’s cross-country road trip in the past. The episode opens on a montage showing how Kevin’s necklace, the one worn by the woman in the photo, was made. From there, we finally get the conversation between Jack and his brother Nick back in Vietnam. The conversation was teased a few weeks ago at the end of episode four.
Not expecting to see his brother, Nick isn’t happy with Jack. He followed him to Vietnam and risked his life to find Nick, just to bail him out like he always has. Jack doesn’t budge however and tries to get Nick transferred to his platoon. But he has no success with Nick’s commanding officer and has to return to his platoon alone.
On his trip back, Jack hitches a ride from a man who he learns helps the Vietcong and he is reminded of the man he lost. Once back at his camp, we see Jack meet the mysterious woman. However, he doesn’t get much time with her because Nick arrives soon after being dropped off by his commanding officer.
Back in the present, Kevin and Zoe arrive in Vietnam. Kevin starts to post about the trip on Instagram, but Zoe asks him not to tag her. She doesn’t want her father to find out she’s in Vietnam, but she doesn’t say much else. Kevin presses her on it, but she refuses to talk to him about it. After telling her he doesn’t want secrets and that he’s falling in love with her, Zoe finally opens up. She tells him that her father had sexually abused her in the past and has often tried reaching out to her.
Flashback to Jack and Rebecca’s road trip. After some early awkwardness, the two start acting like the Jack and Rebecca we know. Once they reach L.A., the couple goes their separate ways. Rebecca goes to a meeting with a record label and Jack meets with unknown strangers.
First, Rebecca’s meeting goes poorly. He listens to her tape and almost immediately dismisses her as only “Pittsburgh good.” It turns out that Jack went to meet with the parents of the man who died under his command. In a classic Jack Pearson move, he goes to apologize and comfort them. However, once he arrives and meets with them, they are the ones who comfort him as he is obviously still tortured by his time in Vietnam.
A standout moment in an episode full of heartfelt and emotional moments comes after Jack picks Rebecca up from her meeting. She tells him how it went and in another classic Jack Pearson move, he asks her to sing for him. As he listens to her sing, Jack starts tearing up and Rebecca says they should go home.
Overall, the episode is maybe the best of the season so far. We learn a lot about the Pearson patriarch’s past as we get more insight into his relationship with Nick. Kevin also gets a few steps closer to the identity of the Vietnamese woman.
This is Us airs Tuesdays on NBC.
