Last week’sThis is Usmarked the start of the final season’s Big Three trilogy, a noted show tradition.
Things began with Kevin (Justin Hartley) having a crisis of confidence across three time periods.
However, she herself does not want to get in.
Ron Batzdorff/NBC
She clings tightly to her mother in resistance.
Apparently, like Kevin, Kate quit swimming lessons too early.
Kate defiantly insists she won’t be convinced.
Jack admires her spunk, but nevertheless, carries her in and tries several tactics of persuasion.
Then, as they’re leaving the empty pool, Kate does her own reflecting about howemptyshe feels.
This reflection starts the moment the Big Three realize they’re locked in the pool grounds.
She is stuck in a cycle of menial activity.
She can’t think of anything she wants for her future.
She doesn’t see a family, or an ideal job nothing.First cry of the episode.
Uncertainty of the future is no joke.
Kate doesn’t think she can do it but her brothers insist.
He tells her one step at a time.
She reluctantly tries, but slips, and refuses to take another crack.
Before Kate’s visit, we see a quasi-montage of a normal day for Kate.
She comes off as a happy, super mom and teacher.
She brings the kids to the park, singing out scenery and directions along the way to orient Jack.
That night, Kate and Madison watchFight Club.
First, New Toby sadly can’t pick her up from the airport, because of work.
Kate rejects New Toby’s carefully-planned itinerary for spontaneity.
But that happiness is marred by two events.
Then, during the party, Kate learns Toby turned down a job offer in LA without telling her.
He asks her (rightfully) what’s wrong with the new him.
Kate achingly says he’s just different.
Toby retorts that she’s changed, too.
He says she’s become the fully realized version of herselfbecausehe’s gone.
This conversation suggests they helped each other grow, but that same growth is pulling them apart.
Floored by this sugar-coated ultimatum, Kate walks out.
She heads to the hill Toby had implied she couldn’t handle and starts to climb.
She labors, but eventually reaches the top.
When she had her brothers around, she refused to climb the fence.
The one who helped precipitate it, Old Toby, is gone.
The other, it seems, will pay the price, and be forced to get gone.
Kate’s best life might not have room for New Toby.
We’re elated to see this fate unfold as the season continues.
