After an Olympic-sized hiatus,This is Usreturned tonight for the sixth episode in its final season.
That installment unprecedentedly focused exclusively on Beth.
Tonight’s episode, “Our Little Island Girl: Part Two,” furthers that narrative.
Ron Batzdorff/NBC
This time, though, other Pearsons also make an appearance.
It’s a matter of where romance intersects with friendship and siblinghood.
Let’s break down those latter stories before stepping into Beth’s spotlight.
Ron Batzdorff/NBC
Rebecca
Last episode, Miguel (Jon Huertas) convinced Rebecca to try dating again.
When she and Matt leave to get coffee, Miguel seems slightly bummed.
Kate had an even worse reaction, when she saw Rebecca dropped off late by Matt.
But after a reconciliation, Kate gave Rebecca her blessing to date.
Turns out, Rebecca followed suit, as she’s still spending time with Matt.
Awkwardness ensues as Rebecca introduces Matt, and Matt gets himself invited to their Thanksgiving.
Now it’s Rebecca’s turn to appear a little jealous.The seeds of friends-to-more are blossoming.
However, later, Kevin finally confesses his infidelity to his wife.
Sophie’s crushed, and further devastated when she learns Kate knew.
She leaves the Pearson home, heartbroken.
Intertwined with this flashback is present-day drama.
She says he always takes one step forward and 16 back, like with being supportive of Madison.
Kate says Madison needs her help, too she won’t choose Kevin over a friend again.
Kevin admits Kate’s right about everything.
He later apologizes to Madison.
Sophie expresses forgiveness, noting she understands the brother factor.
She signs it: Louise.
It’s a beautiful moment for an understated, but significant secondary character dynamic.
She’s nervous about choosing just 15 out of more than 200 applicants for the inaugural cohort.
Randall (Sterling K. Brown) urges her to trust her gut.
Cut to Beth welcoming her dancers, including one girl, Stacey.
Beth makes them all say to themselves, “I can and I will.”
Beth dismisses the woman’s assessment, but seems nervous nonetheless.
In the present, Beth finds Stacey putting in extra practice, frustrated.
Stacey asks Beth why she chose her.
She wonders if she should just become a lawyer, as her father wishes.
When the showcase arrives, Beth is terrified of failing in dance again via her dancers' performances.
Beth watches from the wings of the stage as Stacey performs … and falls during a pirouette.
After brief panic, Beth calmly joins Stacey on stage.
She sits down beside her and tells her she once fell even worse.
Sure enough, Stacey tries again and succeeds.
Watching this, Randall tells his daughters to remember this moment as proof of how incredible their mother is.
After the show, Beth calls Vincent and finally says her piece.
But she now sees power in waiting in the wings and being there for dancers stars or not.
She knows what she’s meant to do.
