Last episode focused on thelong-awaited reconciliationbetween Kevin and Randall.
This latest episode broadens the scope again to explore the lives of all the Pearsons.
But of course, there are common themes throughout.
Chrissy Metz on ‘This Is Us’.NBC
Another common theme is how sometimes being there for someone doesn’t mean trying to fix their problems.
With Kate busy, the neighbor Gregory helps watch Jack while Toby attempts the repair.
Gregory suggests Toby call someone useful for help.
Comical meta line alert!
Toby reluctantly calls his father instead.
His father immediately annoys him, but he comes over, and together they fix the pipe.
Afterward, Toby vents about his job loss and struggle to juggle Kate’s happiness with his own unhappiness.
In response, Toby’s father confesses he once lost his job and hid it from his family.
He praises the Pearsons' willingness to discuss their feelings because he wishes he’d been more open himself.
Will Toby heed this advice and talk to Kate, or will he let things fester too long?
Kevin
Kevin and Nicky attend a screening of the Jordan Martin Foster movie.
When it ends, Foster beams about Kevin’s performance and the film.
Kevin says it’s a work of art.
But afterward, he frantically calls his agent and says it’s awful.
Kevin’s team agrees; it’s unwatchable and threatens Kevin’s career.
Kevin orders an emergency meeting with his team to book a new project.
Kevin is distraught he might lose his joy, like Toby.
Nicky and Kevin leave the meeting with scripts to consider.
Zoe is surprised Kevin knocked up Madison but says he seems happy about her and the twins.
Kevin says he is, and that Madison balances him out.
Kate, however, blows off the interview.
She instead gets coffee at the diner.
In the present, Kate and Rebecca go wedding dress shopping with Madison.
While Madison tries on a dress, Rebecca asks Kate about her music school job.
Madison emerges in a beautiful new dress, but crying.
Her father said he’s not coming to the wedding.
She’d let herself care, only to be let down by him again.
Rebecca comforts her, saying how great she is and how the family loves her.
Cue Kate and audience tears.
Kate later takes Rebecca to her choir class.
Rebecca subsequently gushes about how perfect the job is for Kate.
Adult Kate rectifies this.
Beth
The episode begins with a flashback to just before Beth firstopened her dance studio.
Beth has now twice lost her source of joy, dancing.
Beth’s interview starts off well, but the interviewer abruptly asks to reschedule.
Beth starts laughing and says they should just cancel it.
She hangs up and continues to laugh oddly.
Beth gets upset and demands to go home.
The whole way back, Beth doesn’t offer an explanation and Randall doesn’t press for one.
She’s a “dancer who doesn’t dance.”
Beth thinks it’s corny, but accepts.
When Randall arrives at the studio, Beth barks that she doesn’t want to discuss saving it.
Randall takes out his phone, plays “All My Life,” and asks for a dance.
As they dance in both timelines she cries on his shoulder.
