Get caught up with last episode’s review here.
Last time we checked in with the Pearsons, the Big Three learned the truth about their Uncle Nick; that he was alive and lives and Pennsylvania. As they took an impromptu road trip to go meet him, Rebecca questioned aspects of her life with Jack and began to seek the truth. Speaking of Jack, during flashbacks to Vietnam we learned the truth about the tragic events on the boat. Nicky had taken a boy fishing with grenades and when one dropped in the boat he couldn’t get the child overboard before it exploded. Jack held Nick accountable and refused a relationship with his brother from that day on. We see Jack state as much during his final visit to Nick sometime after the war. Back in the present, the Big Three appealed to Nick and tried to get him to come with them or at least get help but he refused. They try to leave but Kevin turned back and they found Nick crying with a pistol on the verge of suicide.
This week picks up where the last episode left off as the Big Three stop Nick from committing suicide. They convince him to stay at their hotel with them but he remains unresponsive in a deep depression. The siblings argue about helping him and who has to call their mother to tell her that Jack’s brother is alive. Kevin volunteers after losing his cool and after a sleepless night, Rebecca meets her children and estranged brother-in-law at breakfast the next morning.
Nick speaks with Rebecca briefly about Jack and how happy he seems during his final visit to Nicky. He then excuses himself as the family deals with this revelation. The episode flashes back to the day after that visit. Jack had trouble sleeping and begs Rebecca to take Kevin on a trip he’d already promised. She obliges and Jack stays home to watch Randall and Kate. At the signing event, Rebecca leaves Kevin in line but comes back to find him beaming as he meets his idol. She learns from the player that Kevin researched his likes and dislikes to suggest things to do in a city he might get traded to. She is shocked and proud of Kevin in equal measure for the compassion he shows.
Back at home though, things aren’t so great. A distant Jack leaves Kate and Randall to order pizza when he goes out back to exercise out his frustrations. When he comes back in he loses his mind seeing the mess they made, even throwing a plate against the wall off-camera. He apologizes later before starting a sequin fight with the two. Kevin and Rebecca get home and join in on the family shenanigans as well.
In the present day, Randall and Kate decide to return home after seeing Nick isn’t willing to accept their help. Leaving just Kevin and Rebecca to take care of him. The two try to find him a vet program but it’s obvious he’s still uninterested. When Kevin goes back to clean Nick’s trailer, Rebecca and Nick talk about Jack and how he needs to at least try for Kevin’s sake. Nick takes offense at first but comes around and agrees to attend at least one meeting later when Kevin takes him home.
On their way out of town, Randall and Kate decide to visit their childhood home. the original house obviously burned down but they still ask the owners to look around. Initially hesitant, they allow the two in and as they reminisce, it’s apparent that Kate has a very different recollection of their childhood. The plate-throwing incident is a specific talking point as Kate begins to question her ‘perfect’ memories of her father. Randall reassures her after the family kicks them out and the two head for the airport.
Meanwhile, Rebecca and Kevin drive home as she commends him for his effort. She reminds him that he set out to find their uncle, and he found him, regardless of if he was able to help him. Kevin is unmoved though as we see a flashback to his time in Nick’s trailer alone. While cleaning, the stress of this event got to him and he relapsed, drinking most of the liquor left on the table.
This Is Us airs Tuesdays on NBC.
