Though this week’s episode of This Is Us isn’t exactly filled with earth-shattering revelations, the audience does get a deeper dive into the past of the Big Three and sees a set up of more storylines to explore in season four.
Last week’s episode ended with the audience getting a closer look at the rare bonding experiences between young Kevin (Parker Bates) and Randall (Lonnie Chavis), indicating the closer look into the younger versions of the Big Three upcoming in the season.
This week focuses on Kevin (Justin Hartley)’s reminiscence of the pilot shoot of his show The Manny and Randall (Sterling K. Brown)’s history with Beth (Susan Kelechi Watson) and Beth’s mom, Carol (Phylicia Rashad).
Kevin is still spending time helping Nicky (Griffin Dunne), and keeps running into Cassidy (Jennifer Morrison). The three decide to spend the day looking for a new trailer for Nicky, and Kevin learns The Manny is finally being canceled and reminisces about his time on the show, specifically how the pilot almost failed until his amazing final scene.
Kevin ends up buying his own trailer to live next to Nicky and help him get on his feet.
Meanwhile, the audience gets a look at the history of Randall’s relationship with Carol, and how young Beth (Rachel Hilson) finally decided to give young Randall (Niles Fitch) another shot after their first failed date.
Beth’s chaotic dance studio opening brings the juxtaposition of Carol’s judgment regarding Randall in the past and present. However, Randall and Carol have a heart-to-heart and she explains to him that she actually has always liked him, and she initially didn’t know what type of man and father he would be.
“Randall I have always liked you,” Carol said. “True, I didn’t want you to go out with Bethany because I didn’t think you were right for her, but I was wrong. When I met you, I didn’t see the strong part in you: the father or the man you would become.”
At the same time of dealing with Carol’s judgment and eventual heart to heart, Randall and Beth meet Malik (Asante Blackk), and they like him until they learn he has a daughter. After figuring out that piece of information, they decide to put an end to the whole thing.
It wouldn’t be This Is Us without exciting new introductions of new characters, and this episode includes a love interest for teenage Kate (Hannah Zeile): Austin Abrams. After getting Kate a job at the record store, it’s clear they are interested in each other.
The episode ends with teenage Kate and Rebecca (Mandy Moore) getting a call from teen Kevin (Logan Shroyer) calling to inform them that he’s gotten married to Sophie (Amanda Leighton).
The juxtaposition of scenes and transitions in this episode are some of the best the show has ever seen. This episode is one of the most captivating, and it’s going to be interesting to get more of a backstory into the past rather than a sole focus on the present as per usual.
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This Is Us airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on NBC.
