THIS IS US: “Kyle” {Roundtable}

“OMG this show!” is what Nice Girl Melissa said when we were discussing last night’s episode of NBC’s This Is Us and we couldn’t agree more. Three episodes in and the family-oriented series still continues to make us feel without any fancy gimmicks or technology, but rather through simple storytelling and a lot of heart. Nice Girls Ange, Leah and Melissa weigh in on this week’s ep…

Last episode the flashbacks skipped to eight years later rather than taking place after the triplets were born. This week, the flashbacks went back to when the babies being released from the hospital and Jack and Rebecca adjusting to having three newborns in the house. Do you think the flashbacks in episodes 2 and 3 should have been swapped, or do you think that it worked?

Ange: Last episode when they made the flashbacks eight years later, I thought “hmm that’s an interesting choice”. This week when they then had the flashbacks essentially carry on from the pilot, I did initially think “hmm, maybe they should have swapped the flashbacks in ep 2 and 3 around”. However as the episode went on, this week’s flashbacks made sense and supported the present story with Randall, William and Rebecca. Looking back on it now, had the these flashbacks been in the previous ep, it might have made it a bit predictable. Not to mention would it have worked as well with the twist at the end of last episode? So while I initially had my doubts, I think it’s clever the way they’ve crafted the show and the different flashbacks and I am going to trust the decisions this show makes.

Leah: I was very worried last episode when they jumped so far so fast. I couldn’t figure out how they would sustain that kind of flash forward. So I’m happy they jumped back and it does make sense for the present episode story, but too many flashes in different directions and I am going to be all turned around.

Melissa: I think the order of the flashbacks worked, and I’m starting to see how they’re going to handle the space-time continuum here: The past will be told as it services the present. It’s really the same basic narrative structure almost every show (or movie or book) uses – we gradually learn things about the characters’ pasts as they relate to something happening in the present. It’s just that in this case, we get to see it instead of hearing about it. Show, don’t tell.

THIS IS US — “Kyle” Episode 103 — Pictured: (l-r) Mandy Moore as Rebecca, Milo Ventimiglia as Jack — (Photo by: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)

Speaking of flashbacks, how nice was it to see Rebecca and Jack as a team? How does seeing them as a stable couple make you feel, knowing that in the future they are no longer together? Also, what do you speculate happened to Rebecca and Jack?

Leah: I am still pretty sure Jack is dead. Rebecca was wearing his necklace in the future so it makes me think he is gone from this earth. I was soooo happy to have them be a team again. It was very jarring to have them already on the rocks in the second episode. I love them together. Almost makes me want to get married.

Melissa: I agree with Leah, I think Jack is dead in the present. The fact that Randall seems pretty comfortable with Miguel being married to Rebecca tells me that isn’t a new development, so I would guess that Jack has been gone for at least 10 years. But back to Team Jack and Rebecca – love them! They are an amazing example of a committed couple; I can see that Randall modeled his marriage after theirs.

Ange: I think one of the (many) things that drew me into this show is the relationship between Rebecca and Jack and how they really are a team. I’m pretty sure not since Coach and Tami Taylor on Friday Night Lights has there been a TV couple that have been #marriedcouplegoals for me. Their scenes together in this episode made me smile. I love the way they work together, support each other and also banter. Whilst couples can grow apart over time, this week’s ep has me further convinced that Jack died and that he and Rebecca simply didn’t separate.

THIS IS US — “Kyle” Episode 103 — Pictured: Chrissy Metz as Kate — (Photo by: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)

So it turns out that Kevin is not the only one in the family that has showbiz talent – Kate can sing! Is this something you’d like to see develop further on the show?

Melissa: What a beautiful rendition of “Time After Time”! That song usually sends me into fits of giggles courtesy of the dance sequence in Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion, but Kate’s version was lovely. And yes, I’d like to see something happen on that front. After all, she does need a new job now.

Ange: I didn’t see that coming but I liked it. I think Kate needs to work on accepting herself before we can see her take her singing more seriously. On a side note, did anyone else find it hilarious that Kate’s first instinct when Toby startled her while she was singing, was to punch him right in the face?

Leah: Kate has some serious self image issues. In the last episode she couldn’t have fun at the party she was at until she drank enough to be sick. That and having a “hot” twin who has made it (mostly) in Hollywood would make her want to sink into the background even more. I hope she can work through those issues in time because I’d love to see her out singing! She was great. Punching when startled is always the right answer. Right?

THIS IS US — “Kyle” Episode 103 — Pictured: Chris Sullivan as Toby — (Photo by: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)

Was Toby justified in getting mad at Kate about putting Kevin first?

Ange: While Toby has been great for providing comic relief through his quips and facial expressions (seriously, dude is great at pulling faces and making me crack up), I also liked that we got to see a more serious side to him and that he’s not just Mr Funny Guy. Did he overreact? Maybe a little but I do understand his frustration. I am glad though that Kevin also realized that he was being selfish and relying on Kate too much. C’mon Kevin, you’re 36 – time to get yourself together without your sister having to do everything for you!

Leah: I think Toby, while great, is way too new to Kate’s life to make any comment about her commitment to family. Kevin is needy, he truly should be out on his own doing his own thing for once, but family is family. Full disclosure: My sister still lives with me (she is 37) so maybe I’m not qualified to answer this one.

Melissa: Sometimes it takes an outsider to open your eyes to an unhealthy relationship. While I don’t think Kate was wrong to put Kevin first – not only is he her brother, he was also her boss – I think Toby had a legitimate reason to say she should stop. Kudos to Kevin for recognizing that fact as well and taking responsibility for his own life. P.S. That little scene at the end, when Kate startles awake and says, “He’s OK. I’m OK.” That was sweet.

THIS IS US — “Kyle” Episode 103 — Pictured: Ron Cephas Jones as Willilam — (Photo by: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)

What did you think when Rebecca first revealed that she had made a deal with William (before we knew what the deal was)? Do you agree with her actions? Do you think Randall has a right to know and do you think he will find out?

Melissa: I wasn’t surprised. We already knew she was a strong woman who raised strong children; it stands to reason that she would do what she felt was best for Randall and keep him away from his drug addict biological father. Randall will undoubtedly find out about the deal, and will probably be angry because William has so little time left, but I think he’ll forgive Rebecca eventually. Do you think Jack knew about the deal?

Leah: Randall will find out (they always do) and he isn’t going to take it too well to begin with – however he has his own children now and hopefully can see it from the side of a parent. I don’t think what Rebecca did was wrong considering the circumstances of Randall’s beginnings.

Ange: I’m pretty sure my initial reaction was “THEY MADE A DEAL?” I do think Rebecca thought what she was doing was right. As a mother you want to protect your child and William at the time was in no state to be a part of Randall’s life. Not to mention, it probably wasn’t easy for Rebecca to live with this secret for the past 36 years. I do think renaming Randall from Kyle as a tribute to William and the book he liked to read was a nice touch. If Randall ever finds out, I do think he is justified at being upset. Looking at this situation and seeing it from both sides, I think it’s a tough situation to be in and hard to sum it up as simply right and wrong. That’s a good question you bring up about whether Jack knew, Mel. I’m thinking no – he comes across as a lot more easy-going than Rebecca so I feel like if Jack had known he would have tried to talk Rebecca out of her decision to cut William out of Randall’s life.

THIS IS US — “Kyle” Episode 103 — Pictured: (l-r) Justin Hartley as Kevin, Sterling K. Brown as Randall, Chrissy Metz as Kate — (Photo by: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)

Other things in the ep to think about?

Melissa: Can I just say that the casting in this series is phenomenal? So far we’ve mostly seen two adults interacting at a time, and it’s been outstanding work. I’m curious what the dynamic will be once the whole clan is together.

Ange: Agreed! They really nailed the cast on this series, there is no weak link and everyone brings their A game – heck, on a scale of 1-10, they’re all 12s! On a more shallow note, how did Toby even put together the special Kate day so quickly? Does he just happen to have a red carpet and chauffeur hat just lying around?

Leah: It’s LA – people just have their own red carpets. I’m sure that is a thing!

Ange: Haha, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised if it is! Another thing that had me thinking – so Kevin is moving to NY,  going off this week’s episode when Rebecca said they were popping in to see Randall and his family on their way to see Hamilton, I’m guessing Randall and his family aren’t that far from NY. (This may have been established in the pilot and I can’t remember?) That would then mean Kevin is now closer geographically to Randall, so will this move bring the brothers close or at the very least more scenes between the two?

Leah: I hope the brothers do get closer because last episode when Kevin said he wasn’t a good big brother growing up hurt my heart. Randall’s response that there was still time made me hopeful.

Melissa: Yes, I think Randall and his family and Rebecca and Miguel live in the New York area (Long Island?). My guess is that Kevin and Kate moved to L.A. for Kevin’s acting career. Now Kevin is moving back home, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Kate followed eventually. At the very least, she’ll probably be back for Thanksgiving.

Favorite lines in this episode?

Ange: “I’m not some nut job who performs grand gestures for every girl he goes on a few dates with.” – Toby.
I also really liked the “If I were you I’d go to Mexico” banter between Jack and Rebecca and how it became their thing.

Leah: The back and forth between Jack and Rebecca about Mexico. They are so cute!

Melissa: Randall telling Rebecca about meeting William’s mother made me cry. Jack and Rebecca finally talking about the child they lost made me cry. Doctor McRaney (I forget his character’s name) giving Jack advice made me cry. Toby mouthing, “He loves Cara” behind Kevin’s back made me giggle. This show is amazing!

This is Us airs Tuesday 9/8c on NBC.

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