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This Is Us fans, it appears we’ve arrived at our heartbreakingly final destination.
This week’s episode brings the show’s present-day action right up to the Rebecca-centric flash-forward that got underway in Season 2. And while the Pearson-family matriarch is still alive by the end of the hour, as Kevin warns Randall as he summons him to their mother’s side, “They’re saying it won’t be long now.”
Read on for the highlights of “Family Meeting.”
TIME TO MAKE A DECISION | After a brief flashback montage of moments from The Big Three’s childhood in which Rebecca had to wake up and attend to her children while Jack snored on, we cut to present-day, elderly Rebecca as she wakes up and calls for Miguel. Her confusion at his absence is heartbreaking, as is her agitation when she doesn’t recognize the nurse that comes to help her. Kate eventually is able to calm her mother, but Rebecca’s sadness over Miguel’s not being there doesn’t go away.
It’s been about a week since Miguel died, and Randall and Kate, as well as their significant others, are still in town. Madison and Eli arrive at the house with the twins, and Nicky and Edie — who live in the old cabin — squire them away for some fun. As Kate, Kevin and Randall chat, we learn that the Manny reboot’s series finale table read is coming up, and that Kate’s kids are staying in California with Toby and his wife, Laura. Randall finally says what they’re all, on some level, thinking: They need come up with a plan for Rebecca’s care in the aftermath of Miguel’s death.
“I built this house. That was the plan,” Kevin says, immediately leaping to the defensive posture he’ll stay in for most of the episode. Randall points out that Rebecca should have family around, and that each of the siblings visiting for a couple of days a month — which is realistically what their schedules will allow — won’t cut it.
In the middle of everything, Sophie, Beth and Philip — who’d gone into town to get food — return and realize “They’re finally having the ‘what’s next with our mother’ chat,” Beth says knowingly. (Side note: Susan Kelechi Watson, who is always so good and funny, is on absolute FIRE in this scene and the later one at the cabin. TV-show creators of the world: Please build a series around this woman! I will happily watch!) So Randall’s better half announces that she, Sophie and Philip are going to hang out at Nicky’s cabin while The Big Three do their tough, contentious, probably tear-inducing thing. And it turns out to be a very smart move.
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REBECCA THROUGH THE YEARS | Let’s break this heavy and sad storyline with a heavy and sad flashback, cool? We go back to the month after Jack died, when another mom summons Rebecca to pick the kids up at a party that just got busted. Randall got into a fight defending Kate’s honor. Then a clearly-not-doing-well Kate tells her mom not to worry about it because she’s the throwaway sibling, “two winners, one dud, kinda like Hanson.” And Kevin drunkenly refused to see the big deal, which caused Rebecca to yell at him, “Don’t bring your brother and sister down with you. Get it together, Kevin.” (And you all know how much I love it when Rebecca actually speaks sternly to her kiddos.)
Other snapshots from Rebecca’s early motherhood include: accidentally falling asleep on a night when Jack was away and baby Kate wouldn’t go to bed, and then fearing that she’d damaged her child irrevocably when Kate fell off the bed in Rebecca and Jack’s bedroom. She even left a teary voicemail for Dr. K! (Sadly, we didn’t get a Gerald McRaney cameo, though)… letting Randall in on the truth about the Tooth Fairy — and swearing him to secrecy —when he was too freaked out to go to sleep… and the night when Jack and Rebecca realized she pregnant, during which they consoled themselves by saying, “It’s just one tiny little baby, two of us.” (Heh.)
‘THAT’S NOT OUR MOM’ | In the present-day, The Big Three get Chinese food and have their meeting. Randall believes that Rebecca should move in with him and Beth in Philadelphia. Kevin, who admits that he feels a need to pay Rebecca back for being “a pain in her ass her entire life,” wants to keep her where she is, because building the house she requested “was the one good thing I did.”
Even though Rebecca wanted Kate to make the decisions for her in Miguel’s absence, the female third of The Big Three is pretty silent during this discussion, particularly as Kevin and Randall keep making each other angrier as they dig harder into their stances. When Laila, the nurse, brings Rebecca in to announce they’re going for a walk, all three kids are slightly taken aback: Their mom wanted to do her makeup, and she looks like a little girl who’s gotten into her mother’s toiletries kit. As Kate tells Laila that she’ll take Rebecca for a stroll, instead, Kevin and Randall are taken aback. “That’s not our mom, Kev,” Randall says, and Kevin agrees. Still, they’re no closer to a compromise: “It’s a beautiful house man, but I’m not going to leave her in it alone,” Randall tells him. “And nothing you can say will change my mind.”
TOBY HELPS AT A CRUCIAL MOMENT | At Nicky’s, Philip wonders if maybe they should be up at the big house, offering assistance in some way. “Dear, sweet, naïve Philip,” Beth says. “We can’t help those three. Nobody can.” Then she and Sophie launch into a pitch-perfect (and highly accurate) rundown of what’s happening at the family meeting, complete with dead-on Randall and Kevin impressions from Beth and Sophie, respectively. It’s hilarious, but Philip doesn’t think so. He shames his sisters-in-law for joking about “the miserable happenings that are taking place as they debate her care. What a hoot.” Uh, Philip, who essentially showed up five minutes ago? KNOW YOUR PLACE.
Meanwhile, after returning from her walk with Mom, Kate calls Toby and fills him in. He reminds her that Rebecca appointed her guardian, and then — after asking permission to overstep, a subtlety that seems to indicate he’s grown a bit since they split — he reminds her that she’s amazing “but when you get around your brothers, you become this unsteady version of yourself.” Back at the big house, Beth sneaks in to get some food but gets caught by Randall. As they chat, she gently reminds him that the versions of Kate and Kevin in his head (irresponsible and overwhelmed, respectively) are “versions of them that no longer exist.”
Then, a bucked-up Kate gathers her brothers and says she will make the decision, but first, she wants them to actually look at and be close with Rebecca — something they’ve been avoiding as her illness advances. So Randall brushes Rebecca’s hair, and Kevin rubs lotion into his mom’s dry hands, and it seems to shift something among the siblings.
‘MAYBE THIS WAS THE REASON ALL ALONG’ | The next morning, all of the adults — including the spouses — gather at the big house and eat Chinese for breakfast as the kids play outside. Kate says she’s decided that she and Philip are going to move Rebecca to Los Angeles and figure out the best way to care for her there, either in home or at a facility. Kevin tells her he respects her decision, but that he has another option: He and Sophie, as well as Madison and Eli, are going to move to the East Coast full-time, and he and Sophie will live with Rebecca in the big house. “To be honest, Kevin was pretty much the only thing keeping us in L.A.,” Madison says. Randall is on board, and he genuinely thanks his brother for stepping up. “Maybe this was the reason all along… that there are three of us,” Kate muses.
Then we get a montage of time passing under the new arrangement. Kevin cares for his mom. Randall and Kate visit. Madison, Eli, Nicky, Edie and the twins are around. As the years pass, Kevin’s hair grows grayer, and Rebecca’s hair gets longer. Finally, one night after tucking Rebecca into bed, Kevin calls Randall and asks him to bring Beth and the girls to the house as soon as possible: “They’re saying it won’t be long now.”
Now it’s your turn. What did you think of the episode? Can you believe there are only two more This Is Us episodes ever? Sound off in the comments!
Who was conspicuously missing from the promo for next week? KATE!
Yes, but we know she’s alive in the future. She was in a flash forward a few weeks ago showing her son Jack as an adult before becoming famous. It would have taken place after Rebecca’s death.
Yep. I’m wondering if Kate’s absence means she doesn’t make it in time to say goodbye to Rebecca. Which will be heartbreaking, but true to life in that not everyone gets that chance.
I think it’s a red herring and Kate is just fine, just in another room during these flash forwards. There’s a lot of people who we know are still around that didn’t show up in the forwards so far (i.e. Sophie.) Kate is just fine.
It’s a wonderful series. The talk is one that
Many families need to have in real life. The writing is superb. In the beginning I did not like the flashbacks. Love them now.
How many years passed with Kevin taking care of her. And the others. Saw gray hair.
I will miss the show.
Kate is more than likely still living in California with Philip so it will take her longer to get to the cabin than the rest of the family on the East Coast. We’ve seen small snippets of Rebecca’s bedside vigil so if Kate’s not there yet, it may not mean she’s not on her way.
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Wow. Rude and uncalled for.
I read somewhere that the actress lost a lot of weight…I am wondering if they held off showing her to give a big reveal…
Unless it’s an elaborate ruse, I just saw her on Ellen & she looks the same as in the show…
What is the backstory to new character(s) Marcus and family ?
Is there a connection between Marcus and Dr. K. ?
Pretty well done episode. Very touching. But given we knew, from the flash forwards, that Rebecca is dying in the house it made the decision very anticlimactic. The show spoiled itself in that regard.
I also cannot keep up with how much time has passed. Did Kevin really take care of her for 5-6 years? His kids appear to be about 6 in the present day and the boy in the promo looks to be about 12.
Lastly, Madison and her family flew across the country for Miguel’s funeral and stayed a week plus, but Kate’s own kids weren’t there? Come on writers.
Maybe the funeral fell on Toby’s weekend with the kids and we all know what a jerk he is and he probably said, “Nah. My kids don’t need to go to Miguel’s funeral. He ain’t family. I’m not giving up my weekend.” Just a theory. I don’t like Toby, so it’s quite plausible that’s what happened.
Really? Toby – who in this episode gave Kate the confidence to make the decision about Rebecca’s care – wouldn’t let his kids be with her during this time? I haven’t always loved Toby, but that would not at all be in character.
There’s obviously a reason why they weren’t there. But we’re not going to get an answer to that question so I think we’re going to have to move on.
Maybe the reason they were not there was because dealing with the funeral which was going to be alot to deal with and dealing Rebecca later again a lot to deal with and with Jack when he was younger getting lost. Maybe this was a way to make it easier on Kate because she had so much to deal with and at the same time shows how much Toby and her have come along to doing what’s best for their children and respect each even though they were not in love with each other anymore.Just my thoughts on it . Remember this whole show was about a strong family unit and how they work through life the good and the bad.
It’s called sarcasm. Obviously, due to budgets and covid, they can’t have everyone together for a 3 second scene.
Plus, I really hate Toby. He ranks let than Madison in my opinion. Mainly because he made fun of her body insecurities at a counseling group for people with body issues. He had no business being there except he wanted to hit on women who were insecure, like Kate.
I agree with Ann – I’m sure due to budget constraints they could not have everyone present. If you’ll notice, Randall’s girls were not shown in the episodes that covered Kate’s wedding.
Toby would never do that to Miguel. Take a step back.
As a Toby hater I’m fully on board with this version.
Nah. Lots of people are ‘self-proclaimed haters’. And call themselves out on it too. Where’ve you been?
I’m no Toby fan, but he and Miguel always seemed to like each other; and he’s not mustache-twirling level of evil. To suggest he wouldn’t allow his kids to go to their grandfather’s funeral is ridiculous.
Someone is going to need to peel me off the floor when this series ends in 2 weeks because I’ll be a big sobbing baby.
Someoune should probably tell you what the real grief/depression/trauma is that makes you unable to be ”peeled off the floor”, and this is NOT the end of the show…
Actually it does end in two weeks so it will be then end of the show.
I think there will be a lot of people like you in 2 weeks. Regardless of what anyone else says.
Mandy Moore was on The Tonight Show last night & said next week’s episode will “destroy” people & suggested they take next Wed off work.
😳😛
Mandy was great on the Tonight show… she probably dies next week and the final show will go through time… I hope they don’t do a “6 Feet Under” and show how the Big 3 die…
That doesn’t sound like Toby at all. I think you must be watching a different show. Lol
It didn’t feel like they have been there the whole week. I think they were bringing the kids and doing the swap or maybe they had been to his family in Jersey. Thanks for kids kids not being there everything going on it would probably make more sense for kids kids to go home. Toby comes for Rebecca’s death so I’m sure he came for Miguel’s also. He liked Miguel. Jack’s needs probably made it more practical for Kate’s kids to go home. Also Toby and his wife do not have jobs that allow them to stay on the east coast for an extended Of time where it was already shown that Madison and her husband are able to stay wherever needed for whatever length of time.
It was the development of Kevin that was important. Paraphrasing Roger Ebert, it’s not just about what happens, but HOW it happens.
I assumed Toby and the kids were there for the funeral but flew back afterward so he could get back to work and Kate could focus on her mom and whatever needed to be done.
Totally agree with you. I can’t imagine Toby not letting the kids go to the funeral.
Maybe the actors who play the kids were not available for filming when this episode was shot. I don’t think we need to read too much into it.
I was curious about the timeline, too. In season 2, which ended in 2018, the producers said the Rebecca deathbed scene was 12 years in the future, so 2030. We know that Kate and Phillip get married when the Big Three are 45, so 2025. In last week’s Miguel episode, we saw 2-3 years pass. So that leaves 2-3 years for Kevin and Sophie to be caring for Rebecca. Maybe that is what aged Kevin.
Sophie did note at Kate’s wedding that Kevin was starting to get some grey hair. He probably kept dying it for The Manny, and let it go grey after the show wrapped.
I think that the Rebecca deathbed scene is supposed to be in 2034. Randall in particular looks older than the 49/50 he would be if it were in 2030. Also, Tess is working as a social worker, and she’d be too young in 2030, when she’d still only be 21 until late October
It’s possible that Kate and Phillip were married in September or October 2025, but as she was 45, it could be anywhere between 31 August 2025 and 30 August 2026. [It being an outdoor wedding makes it unlikely to have been in November or December 2025, even though it was probably in California – it seems to me to have been somewhere like Napa or Sonoma Valley].
Given that Beth has been in the family for “more than 30 years” by the time Miguel dies and that she met Randall in fall 1998, Miguel probably dies in the spring or summer of 2029 – the references to the weather, such as the tree being in bloom, mean that it can’t be late 2028. Also, I saw Jon Huertas say in an interview that Miguel was in his early 80s when he died, which would put it to around then if we assume that he is between Jack and Rebecca in age (and around Nicky’s age). So, it could be that Kevin and Sophie were caring for Rebecca for about five years.
Side note: by 2034, Nicky would be 86 or 87. He is remarkably spry for that age in the flash forwards, especially given the life he led.
I wouldn’t call that a spoiler. We knows how it ends and we’re just finding out how they got there. As far as timeline, Kate and Philip get married at 45 (so 4 years past present day), and Miguel dies 3 years later. Beth makes a comment about being part of the family for 30 years, which would make them 48. And we only saw small snippets after Miguel dies – it’s perfectly reasonable to assume that Toby and their kids were at the funeral and then went back to LA. The episode takes place a week after the funeral. Anything else you’d like to complain about?
She says “more than 30 years,” so they would be at least 48 but might be a year or two older than that.
Where is Kate?. Did not see her in promo for last 2 episodes
We know she’s alive so my guess, as I mentioned elsewhere, is perhaps her absence from promos means she doesn’t make it in time to say goodbye to Rebecca. Which will be heartbreaking, but true to life in that not everyone gets that chance.
The only issue with this is Toby is there. As far as we know Toby still lives in LA. Though the flash forwards make it seem like he was in driving distance. If he is still in LA and he can make it why can’t Kate. Also Kevin has enough money to fly her out on a private jet at the drop of a hat so I don’t see her missing it. That said I see what you are saying about it but I hope they don’t make some stupid reason why she couldn’t be there.
Best episode of the season, in my opinion. Sad, yes, but also a very touching and a reflective story on both sides- watching parents grow old and of course, growing old ourselves.
Amazing episode but something about that Miguel episode was sooo incredibly heart wrenching. The Miguel episode was one of the best in the series, in my opinion.
One thing I noticed as this series nears its conclusion is that the writers did a good job with showing character development and transformation for Kate and Kevin, but not for Randall. We’ve gone from insecure, aimless Kate working as Kevin’s assistant in Season 1 to somebody who now has a career and can assert herself even with her more successful brothers. Likewise, Kevin was the drunk narcissistic actor having threesomes in Season 1 and now ends the series as the sober and responsible family man building homes for veterans and caring for his sick mom. And Randall? He may be a Senator now instead of a Wall Street whiz kid, but he’s still fundamentally the same guy who thinks he’s the only one who can take care of his mother. No growth or development at all. I’d say the writers failed Randall.
I have a lot of issues with how some of this show was written so it wouldn’t surprise me if they just failed Randall, but maybe it’s intentional? I think we saw tonight that Randall has always seen himself as special or a savior type when it comes to his family. No development needed in his mind. Whereas Kevin and Kate have been open to change. I think Randall accepting Kevin’s proposal tonight signaled that Randall made a huge development in not fighting him and the way Brown played that scene it was almost like you could see him removing the weight Randall placed on his own shoulders.
I agree with him agreeing with Kevin moving in the house and taking the burden off of Randall and Randall excepting it did show growth. Plus also showing Beth making Randall look at the growth of his sister and brother was great. Plus Randall and Beth coming out of this as the next generation of the true life live story like Jack and Rebecca shows the respect the show has for him and how he did take on alot while they were growing up just as Jack did while he was alive. The circle of life.
They showed some character growth in Randall in this episode because he let Kevin take care of their mom. Randall has been taking care of everyone most of his life and he is finally able to take a step back and trust others. Also remember those panic attacks he used to have early on. He is finally handling his stress much better. He has grown as a person as well even if it wasn’t as obvious.
Being successfully treated for panic attacks is not character development. Especially not when you consider the truly transformational change the writers gave Kevin over 6 seasons. From 1st class douchebag to essentially becoming a multi-millionaire version of Saint Jack, they gave Kevin the redemption arc of the series. Turning Randall into a politician is not redemptive or transformational in any way. Now he just has different opportunities to be a control freak. If the series continued, I could picture the episode where Randall sincerely thinks he’s the only Senator who can single-handedly end poverty. He’s pretty much the same guy now that he always was, but now starring in Mr. Pearson goes to Washington.
Kevin showed the most growth because honestly he is the one who really needed it. Randall didn’t need it. Kate needed confidence and to focus on herself more instead of being in the shadow of her brothers. We can agree to disagree
Maybe Randall had the least growth in the series because he was the one that needed the least growth. He was already a mature, married adult raising young kids. He is a control freak, but he is finally learning to let go and let his siblings take on more responsibility. Randall’s job will always be his job and he will always control it. He didn’t need to have a huge leap to show growth. A small, subtle gesture is good enough. Besides, his life story itself was enough growth throughout the series. He was able to find his father and mother and learn about who they were and who he is. That’s what he wanted and that’s what he accomplished in the series.
Thank you. That was the most accurate comment ever posted on this board.
True on every sentence. I would also add, that Randall is right up there with Kevin as 1st class d-bag. I realize that a few comments in response to yours claimed that Randall didn’t need as much work or growth as Kevin, but I’d argue he needed as much (and never got it done) He still thinks he’s always the smartest guy in the room and is an overbearing narcissist.
Lastly, Kevin is really the only one of the big three that grew and improved himself. (no longer a drunk, not superficial, etc.)
Kate still is grossly overweight and continues to not address it.
Randall is still a control freak.
Exactly! Than you for your comment. That’s why I maintain that the writers failed Randall.
You’re welcome.
Unfortunately, the majority of people on this board take offense if you critique or criticize the show in any way. A negative comment about the writer’s or the storyline for a character is taken as a personal attack. As if these are not fictional characters and they need defended.
Heck, I would suspect the writers themselves would acknowledge lazy writing and slow storylines.
However, the ugly-cry crowd doesn’t care about those things. Give them romanticized imagery, e.g. Randall screaming in a lake and night swimming with his ghost-mom, and they eat it up. The uber-dramatic sound track helps wash it all down.
Why in the world do you watch this show.? Is it just to come here and be rude? Seriously, I don’t get it.
I agree with the points others have made. A major sign of growth from Randall was that he allowed Kevin to step in take care of their mom. He’s not fighting sleep on her decision. Also I said he’s not taking the world upon his own shoulders. He’s less anxious and less uptight. he doesn’t have to fix everything. Also and being a senator he is stepping up to reach out for what he want. Most of his early career was about securing his family financially (siblings, mom, Beth and kids). Even though Kevin when a successful actor and our introduction to the Pearsons he was also irresponsible you could have lost all of his money at any moment. And Kate was heavily dependent on him. I’m not of his moving to Philadelphia was about Chasing Ghosts of the past. Being a senator is about his deep ambition that he’s buried for so long because his family needed him. Remember he changed college has to be there for his mom. He was holding self back in school to keep the other two from looking bad. He couldn’t even let himself shine and enjoy being greatest swimming because his siblings couldn’t keep up. He’s finally able to excel without worrying about leaving the other two behind or having to take care of them
How was it a major sign of growth to accept reality after Kate dismissed his plan to move their mom to Philadelphia? Randall literally had no choice but to accept it since Kate is the legal guardian for their mother’s care. Her say is final. Unless you want to consider it growth that he didn’t throw a tantrum in front of everybody to change Kate’s mind or go to court to get Kate removed as Guardian. You are giving Randall credit for something that was forced on him.
The old Randall would have taken her to court no matter what Rebecca said. Is Beth pointed out he would have given birth major pushback about allowing Rebecca to move in with them. Instead he listened to death and saw the his siblings had grown up. That’s growth. While he’s mine still operate as a savior he is able to let others help. He’s able to take suggestions. I don’t think you give him enough credit
You seem to have a lot invested in defending bad writing, but let’s play this out. You think a U.S. Senator would sue his own sister to have his alzheimers-suffering mother’s wishes overturned? And apparently it’s considered major character development and growth because he accepted his sister’s decision to allow their multi-millionaire brother and his RN partner to care for their mom?
A more likely explanation is that he is smart enough to realize he has no choice but to accept Kate’s decision despite having a savior complex and compelling need to control everything.
Say whatever you want, but the reality is that Randall is a deeply flawed character who underwent little to no improvement over six seasons when it comes to his central flaw. I suspect that your admiration for the actor who plays the character is blinding you from seeing that the character himself is a major a-hole.
First episode of the series, present day, Randall knocks unannounced on the door of his biological father William’s apartment to meet him for the first time. Most of Randall’s journey over the course of the series, in significant part based on being the only adoptee in the Pearson family (as well as a cross-racial adoptee), has been about figuring out who he is, what he wants to do with his life, who is family, and the dynamics of his relationships with those people.
He told his siblings he was moving mom into his house before even asking his wife. What has his journey of self discovery taught him? Apparently, nothing. As I said before, a failure of the writers. Sterling Brown is a very good actor and makes the character appealing despite the writers making him a jerk.
You saw Beth tell Sophie & Phillip that Randall would want to move Rebecca to Philly…so your point is kinda moot. You really think that’s a sticking point, Randall “asking” Beth something she CLEARLY already knows?
No.
I saw Beth predict exactly what Randall would say to his siblings because she has known him since college and can read him like a book. That makes my point about his character not having changed an iota. The fact that he would tell his siblings that he wants to move their mom to Philadelphia before clearing it with his wife is telling. He just assumed Beth would go along.
I’m reminded of the manipulative power move he made to get Malik to dump Deja. It’s the same kind of thing he always does when he wants to get his way and control things because obviously he’s the smartest guy in the room and thinks he knows what’s best for everyone.
As for the disingenuous argument that he showed change at the end of the episode by accepting Kevin’s plan, what choice did he have? Kate already rejected his plan and she has the final say, so there was nothing he could do but accept it. That isn’t showing growth.
I think the writers wrote themselves into a box with the Randal character. Sterling is likable and made the character likable, despite his character’s deep flaws. For whatever reason, the writers decided to focus on fixing Kevin, and to a lesser extent, Kate, despite Randall needing a whole lot of fixing, too.
You are not watching the same show as the rest of us, friend…somehow you’re projecting someone else onto Randall. 🙏
Again. You are right.
I guess I’m watching the same show as you. Or course Dry Heat will say you and I are flawed for not agreeing with her opinion. That’s what she does.
Your response here seems to be that, on one particular issue from tonight’s episode, Randall made a choice of which you are critical, and therefore this negates any notion that adult Randall has meaningfully changed as a person over the run of the series. I’m not sure how Randall’s journey over several years would be validated or invalidated by that choice. It seems of negligible relevance.
WRONG, Bill. Jerry clearly stated other reasons for his opinions, not based on a single choice from this episode. Your response here suggests you want to be seen ”smart” despite missing what the opponent really wants to say. You disagreeing with a person doesn’t give you any right to invalidate their opinion.
I didn’t attempt to invalidate Jerry’s opinion. We have a disagreement, as do you and I. I offered a counter to an assertion in Jerry’s opinion with respect to Randall. Later, I unfavorably characterized Jerry’s response to that counter. My use of the words validate and invalidate was in argumentative defense of my position, not to assert or exercise any right to validate or invalidate another’s opinion.
Regarding Jerry’s reasons for his opinion, most of those reasons weren’t relevant to our exchange. Assessments of character growth arcs for Kevin and Kate weren’t points of disagreement or relevant to anything I said. Neither were Jerry’s fact references regarding Randall in his initial post. Jerry’s 8:55 PM reply to J.P. is relevant and responsive to J.P.’s post, but not relevant or responsive to my initial response to Jerry, other than in Jerry restating an opinion regarding Randall, from Jerry’s initial post.
What’s a more accurate statement regarding Jerry’s response to my 8:55 PM post than what I originally said is that Jerry’s example from the episode doesn’t counter the notion that adult Randall has undergone growth or character development through the process of dealing with the adoption/family/purpose issues I mentioned in my post.
I’m fine with invalidating Jerry’s opinion…if he thinks anyone other than Beth runs their lives, he’s not in tune with the show.
Glad I could help you.
With the way this show moves through time it really feels like we have watched Rebecca and the rest of the family through most of their lives. Most shows you really just see the characters for a few years of their lives. But with this show we have seen Rebecca as a young adult to an elderly woman who is about to pass away. Plus we have even seen her as a child. It really makes these scenes more emotional to me. These last two episodes are going to be hard to watch but what a great show.
Thanks to the writers for subtly growing Kevin up, for Beth and Sophie flawlessly mimicking the happenings in the main house, for Philip’s sweet objection to their behavior, and everything coming together. A big step in growth for The Big Three. PLEASE tell me we will get a look at the future grandkids and come full circle–while I stock up on Kleenex.
The closer we get to the series finale the more I wonder if we will not see any more of the young actresses who played Deja, Tess and Annie. I know we will see the characters again since we have seen them all arrive at the cabin when Rebecca is dying, but it occurred to me tonight with only two episodes to go, was the last episode that we saw them in (which I think was episode 9 or 10) the last time we see those actresses? They grew up on our screens for like the last six years and now it’s seeming like we said good bye to them without realizing it.
Based on where we are in the timeline, I think it’s clear we’ve seen the last of the younger Deja, Tess, and Annie. We’ll get the ones we’ve seen in those flashforwards to Rebecca’s deathbed.
Mandy Moore was on Fallon last night and said parts of the finale were filmed three years ago, so we’ll get some nostalgia…
I think we may see them again. A couple of years ago, someone on the show said that they already shot some scenes for the series finale. My guess is that they could get scenes with the younger actors while they were still young, just like they did with How I Met Your Mother.
That could be true. Kind of like life playing out before your eyes at the very end.
The new Little 3 (Beth, Sophie & phillip)
What an emotional episode! Good thing I just opened a new box of Kleenex because I needed it. Terrific acting by all, once again. Beth and Sophie were a hoot. Gosh, I love Susan Kelechi Watson! She is always spot on.
But a depressed Toby who did not know if “she” wanted him is still not explained. And he remarried before Rebecca died, but he’s married when son Jack is an adult. Not understand
I’m kind of wondering if they are hoping that we will forget that they showed us Toby looking depressed in a bed without a wedding ring when he got the call about Rebecca dying. Because he seems happily remarried already a few years before then, and that marriage seems to still be going strong when his kids are adults. I also got the impression he was living on the East Coast based on how fast he got to the cabin (I might be wrong about that though) and am wondering if that will be explained.
I feel like they forgot about Tony being depressed as well.
Lying on the bed and having doubts about something does NOT automatically equate being ”depressed”. Lets not throw this word around, being sad/doubtful about something does not make someone ”depressed”. Considering that we saw what REAL depression for Toby trully is, lets -again-not throw this word around.
Being sad and doubtful can absolutely be symptoms of depression. One of the things that’s been interesting about this show is that sometimes things aren’t what they originally seem. I understand why people would have thought he was depressed. Knowing what we know now, it could be that it was that he was unsure of his place among the Pearsons at a time like this.
I don’t think he was depressed, just sad about Rebecca dying. He flew East with the kids so he could be close, but not too close since he is technically no longer a part of the family. He was being respectful and didn’t want to intrude. I’m sure he was still close to Rebecca and the rest of the Pearson’s. As was shown in this episode, Kate still has strong enough feelings towards him that she can still call him for advice.
It could be something as simple as he took his wedding ring off and he was feeling sad about Rebecca dying. All we saw was a short, small little clip that can easily be explained with more information. We were likely meant to read into it what we did.
If Rebecca’s death happens next week, I hope the last episode is just Beth and Sophie. I’d watch the hell out of that.
Maybe add Madison. She and Beth were pretty funny during the wedding.
They were pretty CRINGE and overacting.
Disagree. Strongly.
HA! I’d watch that, as well…but the synopsis says: “The Big Three come to new understandings about life.”
The last episode is Randall’s presidential inauguration.
Maybe they will make Kate an astronaut, too.
Harvey – I should clarify my reply. I believe there is a very good chance you are correct.
My comment was meant to illustrate how unbelievable some of the story arcs of this show have been.
After Jack, Kevin has turned into my favorite character. One thing about TIU, all the ‘side characters’ are people you really care about; you end up loving them all.
Mine too with all his annoyances when he was younger although I also think Beth is great for different reasons. She arrived basically precooked.
This show is a MASTERCLASS in writing and acting. Please give it all the Emmys. Especially Mandy for the whole season of her work.
”Masterclass in writing”? People don’t talk like that in real life. It doesn’t sound natural (as if these are real people talking), it often sounds as an obvious script (meaning unnatural) which automatically means it’s not a good writing…
Nope. I get that it’s your opinion but it’s not everyone’s. Didn’t you say earlier that just because it’s what you think that it doesn’t negate others’ opinions?
I’ve only just started watching the show about 6 weeks ago and had to get some background. I was able to get caught up on every episode and now I am so heartbroken the show is ending.
This show is every single family!!! For every family has a story!!
It was easy for me to imagine my parents starting out and ending with 7 (yes 7) children and each of us with our family and what we all went through.
Now I am at the age with not much time and it breaks my heart leaving my family.
I have cried with each and every episode and know I will not be the only person that will think of “This is Us” until I take my last breath!
FYI, the series finale is entitled, “Us.” 💞
I also want a Susan Kelechi Watson show.
So how much time do we think has passed? Seems we’re now about 10 years into the future.
Gotta say- this season has been a snooze overall and I was pretty worried this was not going to end well. But last week and this week were SO good. I think they may actually stick the landing on this one!
The music played in the background intensifies all the emotions happening. I will miss this show and they should win many Emmy awards for the writing, acting..
We were just saying last night “how is this show still great in Season 6 like the beginning?” Great series, we will miss it. But truthfully, I don’t analyze it as much as some of the viewers here. One last wish, an Emmy for Mandy Moore better happen!
Goof recap other than the line: Uh, Philip, who essentially showed up five minutes ago? KNOW YOUR PLACE. (When he called out Beth and Sophie).
Though we the viewers haven’t seen much of Philip, he’s been part of Kate’s (and by extension the Pearson family) for several years at this point. Sure, Beth and Sophie have witnessed the Big Three dynamic for longer, and use humor as a coping mechanism (complete with spot-on impressions of their spouses). In his own way, Philip was telling Beth and Sophie that they too were not really looking at Rebecca as Kate had.
In a way,
I’m going to miss this show. I believe it’s one of the best dramas I have ever watched through the years. This last season especially these last few episodes have been really good. I’m sure next week will be one of the biggest tearjerkers before the last one. I do like how they have stuck to they had a story to tell and stayed to their 6 years. I definitely wouldn’t mind a reunion in movie further down the line somewhere or even mini series. But one thing I truly hope is this Emmy panel gets it right Mandy Moors deserves and Emmy for her acting in this show and it also should be best drama show this year.
I started watching the show again from the very beginning. The Forever Now plays in the background several times during the course of the series. Didn’t realize that music was played so much until the rewatch. It’s in Season One Episode 8 that Rebecca show her first sign of memory loss. It’s the Thanksgiving episode when the family is out for a hike. Rebecca and Kevin are talking about the play his doing. She asks him the name of the play again. Kevin gives her a weird “Wow, mom never forgets anything” look. Something so insignificant until we know what we know now.
Where are Randall’s girls?
With two episodes left in the series, the showrunners have clearly decided not to focus on these characters. We did have the Deja/Malik storyline earlier In the season, but very little on Tess and Annie.
With the “present day” now several years ahead of 2022, the casting of these characters would be a bit of a challenge, as they move from their teens to their twenties.
We do see all three arrive at the house in the distant future, so we know they’re around.
I have faith that their stories will be addressed in the final two episodes.
I think Randall’s girls stayed home because they are old enough to be home together-alone. I think Kate’s kids are with Toby because he’s their dad. Madison probably had no one to take care of her kids because all of the people she would trust to care for them are at the cabin. I think that the grandchildren would have distracted, for lack of a better word, the 3 from focusing on an incredibly difficult decision. But..who was the extra younger child who was there when they showed the twins and Madison etc. getting ready to go somewhere? Eli and Madison’s son? (Or whatever his name is) :)
I think that Miguel’s death was probably in 2029 or 2030 (given that Beth says she’s been in the family for “more than 30 years” and given that she met Randall in late 1998). By 2029 or 2030, Deja would be about 24 or 25 and Tess would be 20 or 21, so Deja’s probably at law school or working somewhere prepping for law school, and Tess is probably a student. I’ve never been sure how old Annie is, but she seems to be about two or three years younger than Tess. Even Annie might be a first year at college by the time Miguel dies. So, they might not be there because they’re living their own young adult lives.
Of course, the outside the show reason they’re not there is that the actors who play them in the flash forward from 2034 are too old to play them at the wedding in 2025/2026 and perhaps too old to play them at the funeral in 2029/2030.
Deja is the one we saw as a medical, not law, student in the flash forward.
Loved the reference to Knots Landing, my favourite series of all time.
I guess Rebecca can like two nighttime dramas, but I loved her episode where Jack taped over the Dynasty season premier after the Moldavian Massacre
I didn’t catch that…. one of the great mysteries is why it is not anywhere to be found…
Was I the only viewer who was thrilled to hear that Kate received her Masters and was helping update their state’s curriculum? It took Toby to gently (after permission) remind Kate that she had the life skills to deal with her brothers. Rebecca must have realized that Kate would have the skills to handle her care.
When Rebecca called for Miguel, I almost lost it. At that point as the disease affects her thought process, she still remembered her husband. Sadly, as it progresses, she would lose that memory as well.
If you have not lost a family member to this horrible disease, it is impossible to understand the numerous and difficult decisions that the family must make. There is never a perfect solution. The writers have done an excellent job in showing us the decision process. Thank you to the cast and crew for dealing with this tragic life cycle.
I have learned that you have to find joy in the small things. Beth and Sophie gave us a bit of comedy while knowing their family was struggling. To some it may seem insensitive, but you have to find ways to cope.
I disagree with the sentiment that “Rebecca must have realized that Kate would have the skills to handle her care.” Kate did NOT show the skills at least in this instance. While Randall and Kevin argued about where Rebecca would live, Kate said nothing. Then her big “final” decision was that Rebecca would either live in a “very nice facility” or with Kate. She told Kevin there was no way Rebecca would live in the big house with Kevin, then she went right along with it. Kate could deal with the here and now, taking Rebecca for a walk, combing her hair, rubbing lotion on her hands, but she was unable to deal with the actual future, the big decision. She made a decision that was obviously wrong. I always thought Kevin was a flake, but he is the one that grew and changed the most.
I am not sure I can handle much more. I cried so hard after last night’s episode. I hate to see this series end because it has been my favorite of all time. Great writers and great actors