Last time we saw the Pearsons on This is Us, Randall continued his campaign against high odds which begins to strain his marriage with Beth. Meanwhile, Toby and Kate learn they are having a boy as Kevin learned, in the biggest revelation of the episode, that Jack’s long-dead younger brother Nicky is alive. All that happened a long seven weeks ago though, a long seven weeks This is Us catches us up on this week.
The episode opens on election night, Randall is still behind Councilman Brown but the race is too close to call. Most of the Pearson clan and company is there to support him; Zoe, Kevin, Rebecca, Miguel, Beth, and the girls. Kevin and Zoe seem a little off and ultimately, Zoe gives Kevin a key and storms off after saying she “can’t do this.” From there, the episode flashes back to seven weeks before election night, to the morning immediately after the events of the last episode.
Randall tells Beth that he plans to continue his campaign, despite Beth voicing her opposition. Randall tries to convince her that he will be able to juggle his family and politics but she doesn’t agree and makes it obvious he’s doing this alone. Meanwhile in L.A. Toby and Kate decide to turn their office into a nursery, prompting Kate to tell Toby he must sell his collectible action figures. Back and New York, Kevin and Zoe return from Vietnam with more questions than answers about Jack’s time in Vietnam. Their relationship, however, has never been better as Zoe decides to move in with Kevin.
The episode then jumps to five weeks from the election and it’s still not looking great for Randall as he’s 10 points behind Councilman Brown. He’s been staying more and more nights in Philly, which continues to put a strain on his marriage. Kevin tries, and fails, to charm his way into getting a copy of his uncle’s records from the VA. Zoe has a solution though after she hears he’ll need an authorized release form from a VIP, she used to date a congressman. In L.A. Kate unwittingly sells Toby’s collectibles to a fellow student for only $10. Toby is obviously upset and reveals that he planned to pass those on to their son.
Flash forward to three weeks before election night. Randall comes home demanding Beth and the girls join him on the campaign trail after Brown criticizes him for not bringing them anymore. Beth isn’t having any of it though as she is wrapping Christmas presents Randall doesn’t even know about because he’s been gone so much. Things escalate as Randall says things he’ll regret, causing Beth to storm out. On the other side of town, Zoe hears back from her congressman ex who begrudgingly agrees to help her for Kevin’s sake.
Jump forward another week to New Year’s Eve. Jae-wan comes in with a bombshell that could win Randall the race. In the past, Councilman Brown was arrested for a DWI and paid off the cops and press to kill the story. Randall is conflicted but first must go eat a blueberry pie at midnight, a Pearson tradition. However, the diner he goes to is fresh out of blueberry pie. While there though he sees Rev. Hawley, who asks Randall how he’s doing. Randall unloads on him, hinting at the news Jae-wan gave him and stating that he doesn’t want to win like that.
Hawley gives him some sage advice after Randall is done: “Act in a way that’ll make you smile when you’re old and gray and lying under a pink pale nursing home blanket, thinking about the life you’ve lived.” Hawley then gives Randall the blueberry pie he bought and all this causes Randall to crumple the envelope of evidence against Brown and trash it. He rushes home, where Beth gives him the cold shoulder. However, he apologizes and reconfirms the importance of her and the girls in his life. Beth warms up to him as he pulls out the pie and it seems like she is ready to forgive him. Meanwhile, Kate tries to get Toby’s action figures back but she can’t convince the buyer to return them. Back in New York, Kevin learns that his uncle Nick seemed to disappear after leaving Vietnam. He and Zoe then get in a fight over her reluctance move in, something she claims he is pushing her into.
The episode then jumps forward to a couple days before election night. Beth pushes Randall to attend service at Rev. Hawley’s church with her. During the service, Hawley tells his congregation that regardless of the outcome, with either Randall or Councilman Brown as a leader, the community is in good hands. Meanwhile, Kate surprises Toby with a box of new action figures to replace the ones she sold. He is grateful but still a little upset that they aren’t his action figures.
Finally, flash forward one more time election day. Toby reveals to Kate that he has finished decorating the nursery, even commissioning a replica of a toy Kate had as a child but lost in the fire. That night in Philly, Randall sends everyone home after it becomes clear the results won’t be in until very late. On the way out Zoe and Kevin reconcile, she shares her insecurities but reaffirms her love for Kevin before asking for her key back. Later, while they’re unpacking the two find a postcard for Jack from Nicky, revealing that Jack knew his brother was alive.
Then, in bed that night, Randall is dozing as he talks to Beth before he receives a phone call. He hangs up and turns to Beth shocked, “I won,” he says.
Overall, This is Us is setting up a lot of big dominoes that will be interesting to watch fall over the second half of this season.
This is Us airs Tuesdays on NBC.
