THIS IS US: “The Trip” {Roundtable}

This week’s episode of NBC’s This Is Us showed us the aftermath of last week’s Thanksgiving revelation which involved a Big Three trip to the family cabin, Randall gaining insight on the past thanks to magic mushrooms trip and a trip to the past giving us all the feels. (“Will I ever make it through an episode without weeping?!?” declares Nice Girl Melissa). Let’s dive right in and see what Melissa and Ange had to say about this week’s episode…

THIS IS US — “The Trip” Episode 109 — Pictured: (l-r) Sterling K. Brown as Randall, Chrissy Metz as Kate, Justin Hartley as Kevin — (Photo by: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)

Big Three trip! Thoughts about the Pearson siblings going to their family cabin in this ep? Were you satisfied with the Big Three moments we had in this ep or do you think there was more #TwinLove than #BigThree?

Melissa: I want to see more #BigThree bonding, but that’s not what needed to happen in this episode. At least not for Randall. He’s dealing with something Kate and Kevin cannot relate to and he had to get through this first part on his own. Now that he’s moved through his original anger and hurt, it’s time for his brother and sister to step up and be his support. I think (hope?) that’s what we saw happening at the end of the episode.

Ange: Finally we get to see the Big Three as adults together! I was so excited when I saw that they were taking a trip together and yes I wanted to see more #BigThree bonding, but like Melissa I agree that that’s not what needed to happen in this episode but rather the twins being there for Randall while he’s trying to process everything.

THIS IS US — “The Trip” Episode 109 — Pictured: Milo Ventimiglia as Jack — (Photo by: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)

Let’s talk about Randall’s ‘shroom trip. (Kevin snapping the pic of him on the phone was typical brother stuff, which I loved!) Were you surprised that we saw Jack with one of the kids as an adult? Did you ever think we would have gotten to see that?

Melissa: Well, it was teased in the preview, so I knew grown up Randall would be having a conversation with Jack somehow. I did not expect ‘shrooms, though! (And yes, Kevin snapping that pic made me laugh.) How about that scene with adult Randall yelling at 1989 Rebecca? I kept thinking how difficult it must have been for the actors – especially the kids – to film that scene without breaking character. I mean, I was crying and I wasn’t actually in the room. Outstanding work.

Ange: I missed the preview so I went into this episode blind and not realizing that present Randall would be having conversations with Jack. I’m glad that I went into the ep blind because I think the whole situation hit me even harder. Oh yes, that scene where present Randall is yelling at 1989 Rebecca really got to me. Definitely one of the standouts of the episode for me. Sometimes when I watch the show I forget that these are just actors playing characters because the show is so well written and the actors are so outstanding and everything is so relatable. Man, I wonder if they go through so many tissues like we do? I wonder what it’s like when they first read each script.

Speaking of Jack, he once again proved that he’s the best dad ever right? (Even if he was a figment of Randall’s trip) Although that last flashback at the end was totally tugging at your heart strings right?

Melissa: Best. Dad. Ever. I wept through the final 5 minutes. As if Jack’s determination to do ALL THE PUSH UPS to prove what a strong foundation he was for Randall wasn’t enough, we then saw that each of the other dads were doing the same thing to give Randall a sense of community. And I’m crying again.

Ange: Forget a 12, Jack is like a 100 000 on the parenting scale! Also tugging at my heart strings was the flashback of young Randall and his childlike innocence of believing that if he can find people who can roll their tongue, they might lead him to finding his parents.

Melissa: So adorable, such a knife to the heart.

THIS IS US — “The Trip” Episode 109 — Pictured: Ron Cephas Jones as William — (Photo by: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)

The younger version of William was pretty earnest too. Do you think that innocence is something that Randall got from him too?

Melissa: To a degree, yes. He’s seen thoughtfulness and earnestness modeled by Jack and Rebecca, too. But I do think his poet’s soul comes from William.

Ange: There is something about Jermel Nakia, who plays the younger version of William. I can’t be mad at young William for leaving Randall at the firehouse so he could have a better life and in this episode seeing how he kind of struggles with the decision of not being a part of Randall’s life made me want to hug him.

THIS IS US — “The Trip” Episode 109 — Pictured: (l-r) Janet Montgomery as Olivia Maine, Justin Hartley as Kevin — (Photo by: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)

Thoughts on Olivia? I thought William’s words last week would have resulted in progress this week but perhaps not…

Melissa: I really thought she was going to change for the better after last week. I suppose this is realistic, though. As Kevin said, she’s terrified of actually experiencing something real. It sounds like she might also just be a mean person based on her interactions with Kate and Sloane and how she flaunted Asher in front of Kevin.

Ange: I agree with Melissa (and Kevin) that she’s terrified of actually experiencing something real but I can’t help but “Ugh!” at her behavior.

THIS IS US — “The Trip” Episode 109 — Pictured: Mandy Moore as Rebecca — (Photo by: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)

Favorite lines?
Ange: I think the “which is why there isn’t a Beth or William list” by Randall early on in the episode was very Randall-esque and pretty much nailed the thoughtful type of personality he has.

Melissa: That was an amazing little scene. Sterling K. Brown is killing it. KILLING IT. So is Mandy Moore. And Milo Ventimiglia. GIVE THEM ALL THE AWARDS.

Standout moment in the episode for you?
Ange: I really liked the part where Randall is yelling reasons as to why he’s mad at Rebecca from his list at past Rebecca. The whole Girl Talk throwback was fun and gave me a bit of a giggle too.

Melissa: The push ups scene. Randall confronting Rebecca in the past. Randall confronting Rebecca at the very end. The scene between Rebecca and William in 1989. William reading the letter from Rebecca. Randall telling Jack that he needed to feel wanted by his parents.

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

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