Baby Jack and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad BBQ day.
Uniquely and beautifully, part of the story is told from the fuzzy visual-astute audio perspective of toddler Jack.
Viewers intermittently see what Jack sees as Kate and Toby’s bickering continues and escalates.
NBC
Let’s get started breaking down the chaotic episode.
On the way, Kevin says he’s doing well and happily setting down his own roots.
However, when Kevin then accidentally discovers Elijah (Adam Korson) is planning to propose, he spirals.
He tells Randall his life will change completely.
Kevin acquiesces and seemingly drops his musings.
That night, Kevin revisits Madison.
Kevin then returns to Kate’s house and joins Randall in the backyard.
When Randall asks about Madison, he jokes they eloped.
Ecstatic at the restaurant, Rebecca orders every cocktail on the menu.
Unsurprisingly, she quickly gets drunk, and while Jack’s trying to cope, the babysitter calls.
The kids locked her in the bathroom, so Jack and Rebecca must abandon their dinner and rush home.
Eventually, Kevin says he locked in the babysitter because she hurt Kate’s feelings.
Randall says it washisidea to put the chair under the door knob.
Against Jack’s reprimand, the brothers think they’re justified in the name of protecting their sister.
In bed later, with the kids sleeping between them, Rebecca tells Jack she loved their night.
Kate sings the direction song on the way, guiding Jack.
Then comes the day of Rebecca and Miguel’s 10th anniversary barbecue.
Toby’s annoyed upon learning she told Kevin about their dispute.
However, a new stressor emerges for Kate and Toby: massive ceiling leaks.
Then, Kate lets the plumber in the house and neglects to lock the front door behind him.
When Toby realizes he’s missing, the family launches a panicked search.
Eventually Rebecca notices Jack’s low-top shoes on his bedroom floor and that the red boots are missing.
However, he accidentally heads towards a staircase instead.
Cut to Jack in the hospital, getting stitches, but otherwise fine.
(It wasn’t a grill accident, like we expected!)
Kate says she wants him to have dignity and confidence as early as possible.
Then Kate explosively names the issue that’s really long plagued their marriage, underneath the surface.
Infuriated, Toby says Kate’s never seen limitations, which is irresponsible.
Toby backs off and seems to imply, with frustration, that Kate always chooses her family over him.
With that, the couple disperses.
Will we have to watch Rome burn or will we skip to what’s next for Kate?
