THIS IS US: “Pilgrim Rick” Saves Thanksgiving

It’s Thanksgiving in 2016, and in 1988. One starts well and ends badly, the other starts badly and ends well. Let’s discuss.

Kate doesn’t have a lot of scenes this week, but what she does have are life-changing. What are your thoughts about her decisions to take a break from Toby and to undergo gastric bypass?

Melissa: I’m worried that she might see the surgery as a “quick fix”. Kate clearly has emotional issues contributing to her weight, and while Overeaters Anonymous is a good resource, we’ve yet to see her in actual therapy to address those issues. She’s smart enough to know that she needs to take a break from Toby – as much as I like him, I do think this is the right decision right now – but I hope she also sees a therapist before (or after) having surgery.

Ange: I agree with Melissa. I too am worried that Kate is seeing this as a quick fix and not recognizing that it runs deeper than just getting surgery. I also applaud her for being smart enough to recognize that being around Toby is not the right thing for her right now. I’m sure he’ll eventually be back though.

Kevin brought his co-star/not-girlfriend to Pearson Thanksgiving. And he gave up the hat. Is he maturing?

Melissa: Kevin’s story was actually more about Olivia, but we did see some progress from the man-child. We know that Kevin idolizes his father, and now we know that his relationship with Miguel is…strained. It’s good to see a little progress between them.

Ange: I think Kevin has certainly grown since we first met him in the pilot and from what we know of him so far, his initial reaction to Miguel’s request didn’t surprise me. The olive branch to Miguel at the end of the ep was a nice small step. It’ll be interesting to see more of the history of Miguel becoming their stepfather as the show goes on.

Melissa: Also, was anyone else distracted by the shakiness of the hand-held camera during Olivia and William’s chat on the front porch? It took away from the emotional impact for me.

Ange: I might have to go back and watch it, as I didn’t notice. Ha! Ron Cephas Jones is such a delight to watch on this show though.

Were you surprised that Rebecca’s parents, especially her mother, were so horrible?

Melissa: At first I was surprised because Rebecca is such a kind person. But then I remembered how many times we’ve seen her feeling pressured to be the perfect mother, and to protect Randall from the world. Suddenly all of that makes more sense.

Ange: We’ve only really gotten a glimpse of Rebecca’s mom in the football episode and then she struck me as a traditional housewife whose role was please the husband and family so the revelation that she is someone who is seemingly a perfectionist doesn’t surprise me but the fact that Rebecca doesn’t quite live up to her expectations initially surprised me a little. But like Melissa mentioned, the more you think about it and connect it to what we’ve seen on screen already, it does make sense.

Jack came through for his family again. Who else wants to marry a Jack?

Melissa: Me! I want to marry a Jack! I admire how he puts his family first without the martyr complex that I see so often from other husbands and fathers, both fictional and real. He is truly delighted to make his family feel happy and safe. I’m curious how he acted around Rebecca’s parents; could he maintain his sense of humor with them?

Ange: OMG talk about goals! Jack is definitely living up to his promise to be a 12. Him becoming Pilgrim Rick and then later realizing that Kevin and Randall have been continuing that tradition gave me the feels! I hope to one day find my own Jack. Once they reveal how Jack passed and the aftermath, I just know it’s going to kill me. I am not ready for this.

Now, let’s talk about Randall. He went from adorable, playful Randall to hearbroken by the end of the day. Thoughts? Feelings? Can he make peace with Rebecca?

Melissa: Thanksgiving Randall was so much fun to watch! Maybe not to be around, as we saw from his family’s reactions, but how can that kind of joy not be infectious? (I hope Christmas is all about Beth’s traditions, though. Her touch was missing from Thanksgiving.) It’s clear that Randall is the family tradition keeper, the family historian, the one who feels a real sense of family from his childhood and is trying to keep that connection alive. I’m worried how he’ll cope now that he knows Rebecca and William’s secret. This amazing childhood that he remembers, this mother he adores, all a lie? (No, but that’s what he’s going to be dealing with first.) For all his logic and reliance on spreadsheets, Randall is an emotional being when it comes to people. It’s going to take him a while to forgive.

Ange: Firstly, can we please just give the Sterling K Brown all the awards please? Talk about an emotional Randall roller coaster in this ep! Randall’s enthusiasm over Thanksgiving was such a joy to watch and just made it so much more upsetting when the truth came out that night and basically ruined his favorite holiday. I think he will eventually make peace with Rebecca because he is a mama’s boy, but it’s going to take time.