Before diving in on this week’s breakdown, check out Def Pen’s breakdown of last week’s episode if you missed it or just need a refresher!
Synopsis
Last week caught us up on the Pearsons after the premiere mostly introduced us to all the new characters for this season. This week we saw those two worlds begin colliding in the present. But first, in the past, Jack made a colossal mistake at work costing his boss thousands and Jack his job. Well, that is until Miguel stepped up and threatened to leave the company, with his “cash-rich clients” in tow. It was a move straight out of the Jack Pearson playbook and just reinforces. Elsewhere, Randall had a panic attack after his new teacher wrote him a yellow slip for breaking the dress code. He called home for help but Kevin refused to tell their parents. Instead, he rushed to the school to calm his brother down and bail Randall out himself.
In the present, Kevin comes to the aid of another family member, his uncle Nick. As he sorts out that mess in rural Pennsylvania, Randall opens his office door up to the community in Philly. Despite pushback from the old heads in the government and a particularly stubborn assistant, he does what Randall does and sticks to his guns. Back in California, Kate struggles to accept Toby’s new gym routine and a new uppity neighbor. After a heart-to-heart with both her neighbor and Toby though she comes to terms with their changing lifestyle and makes a step towards accepting that. Speaking of, Kevin and Nick laugh their way out of an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting with Cassidy as Kevin realizes how ridiculous so many of his struggles are.
Immediate Reactions
This season keeps surprising me. I really thought things were going to go one way this week only for them to pivot and head in another, better, direction. Kevin’s multi-timeline arc in this episode was really interesting and the way the writers are starting to play with the multiple timeline concept is really interesting. I wish we’d get a stronger integration of the new characters introduced in the premiere, but I defer to the writers’ judgment on that one. They haven’t let us down so far this season.
MVP
Kevin. There’s really no question this week in my mind. Well, Miguel almost took the week BUT, Kevin helped someone in two timelines in the episode, three if you count Cassidy. Even though everyone else had some big things going on, this episode was basically a Kevin episode
Did I cry?
Again, surprisingly no. The most emotional parts this episode were again uplifting and fulfilling and less of the ‘tug-at-your-heartstrings’ kind the show is known for. That doesn’t make me any less wary of future episodes because I have a feeling one’s in the pipeline that’ll tear us all to shreds. But, until then I’m happy to see the Pearsons on the up and up.
Now, here’s a look at the best three moments from tonight’s episode:
3. “I am your brother’s son.”
Alright, so kicking off the top three moments this week is when Kevin lays down the law for his uncle in that bar. It’s not a big moment and there are probably some others that have a real argument to be here. But, it shows how far Kevin’s come when in past seasons he would’ve just sat down and drank with Nick, accepting defeat. Instead, this time he slaps the drink out of Nick’s hand and drags his ass out of the bar to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.
2. “I thought we could all watch the Arsenio Hall Show together.”
At the end of the day, Kevin does care. In the present, he’s gotten pretty good about showing and telling that to those around him. But, when he was younger it was harder for him to be so open about how much he cared about his family. So, he had to do it in moments like this, insisting that his family all watch The Arsenio Hall Show together so Randall can get a little more pop culture literate.
1. “If he goes, so do I…”
I mean, c’mon could the top spot go to anything else this week? Kevin may have walked away with this week’s MVP but the best moment goes to Miguel. He’s always been one of the best characters on the show and his relationship with Jack tends to fly under the radar a bit. This moment (and the later moment when Jack thanks him) reminds us why Miguel is still just an important piece in Jack’s family and reinforces the incredible bond between the two men.
Predictions-
Honestly, I’m not sure what to expect from here. It seems like they might be stirring up some marriage drama with Kate and her neighbor. But, I’m really hoping that’ll just blossom into another beautiful friendship. On Kevin’s side of things, I think we’ll see more of he, Nick, and Cassidy as they And the promo for next week teases some more Randall/Beth drama but I’m not sure what to think there.
You can check out the promo for next week’s episode, “Flip a Coin,” below:
This Is Us airs Tuesdays at 7/8 C on NBC.
