Last week, on This Is Us, Kate and Toby welcomed their new baby into the world. Toby struggled with the realities of having a child with so many risks but ultimately found strength and recommitted to his new family. Meanwhile, Kevin and Zoe began to work through their relationship issues as, in the past, Jack and Rebecca chaperone a school dance. Finally, Beth and Randall struggle to make time for each other and the family as they begin new chapters. The episode ended with the two on the brink of a nuclear-level fight.
Stay caught up with This Is Us by checking out last week’s full review here.
This week picks up right where last week left off as Randall and Beth begin their fight. She reminds him that she’s always had his back and continuously sacrificed more for him but he disagrees. From there, we flash back to the supermarket where they first met before jumping forward to their first date. Randall tries desperately to give her a ‘fancy’ night but, everything is going wrong and, to make matters worse, the waiter asks them to prepay citing some kind of ‘policy.’ This sets Beth off and after they storm out, she tells him he probably shouldn’t call her again. But we know Randall better than that.
Seven years later, the two are on another awkward date, this time with Rebecca present. Randall consistently proposes to Beth, who consistently denies him. This time though she’s had enough and snaps at him, storming off. Rebecca reassures her though that she is the right woman for Randall as long as she sets her own terms. Beth then has Randall take her out and, after making him promise they won’t lose themselves, finally says yes to his proposal. Flash forward again to their wedding day and neither have their vows written. They both find out about this and hide out in the bathroom together to write them. This is a touching scene that’s intercut with shots of their wedding.
Another jump forward and we see the two dealing with a baby Tess. The young parents are obviously on edge and taking swipes at each other until Randall diffuses the situation with nachos. They aren’t totally ok though as Beth snaps that she’ll have to bend over backward once her maternity leave is over to “make it work.” Randall tries to fix it right there but Beth shuts him down and the two go to bed. Fast forward again, this time to season one when Willaim lived with the couple. Beth has a ‘conference’ to go to out of town but Randall and William end up finding her alone at the store buying candy and wine. She reveals it was a lie to just get a night alone and, even though Randall tells her it’s ok, she ends up going back home with the two men.
Finally, the last time jump brings us back to their fight. Beth tells Randall that he’s turned her into his mother. She thinks he has swallowed her up in his dreams, not letting her live out hers. This reminds Randall of a similar fight Rebecca and Jack had before Beth continues. She refuses to let him continue ‘steamrolling’ her and also refuses to give up her dream. Randall retorts that he isn’t to blame for her finding her passion 20 years too late and things continue to spiral. Beth ultimately blames Randall’s anxiety attacks for her inability to branch out, immediately regretting it. Randall doesn’t give her time to apologize though as he storms off to Philly to sleep in his office. The episode ends with quiet tears and regrets as the finale looms.
This Is Us airs Tuesdays on NBC.
