THIS IS US: “Jack Pearson’s Son” {Roundtable}

There were quite a few emotional blows for both the fans and characters on this week’s episode of NBC’s This Is Us. Join Ange and Melissa as they discuss the ep…

THIS IS US — “Jack Pearson’s Son” Episode 115 — Pictured: Justin Hartley as Kevin — (Photo by: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)

Ange: And the tears are back! As I write this, I’ve literally just finished watching this episode and am currently wiping tears from eyes at that last Kevin/Randall scene. Yes the Rebecca and Jack fight was horrible to watch (more on that later), but I never thought this touching moment between two grown men and brothers would be the one to break me! How are your tear ducts, Melissa? Any scenes make you tear up this week?

Melissa: Oh my goodness. Kevin ditching opening night to be with Randall destroyed me. We’re talking ugly crying, mascara running. I’m glad, though. We needed to see that, from both characters. Now excuse me while I weep in the corner.

THIS IS US — “Jack Pearson’s Son” Episode 115 — Pictured: Mandy Moore as Rebecca — (Photo by: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)

Ange: So one of the big moments in this episode is the tension between Jack and Rebecca in 1996, to the point where it all boils over and she tells him that “she just wanted something for herself without him getting in the way”. (OUCH!) Do you think Rebecca should have told Jack about her and Ben’s history or did Jack overreact?

Melissa: I think Jack overreacted. It also felt a little out of character. Have we seen anything like that from him before? Rebecca is a beautiful woman, surely this isn’t the first time a man has been interested in her since she and Jack got together. Rebecca did say a few things she shouldn’t have, but this isn’t the first time we’ve heard it from her. We know she put her music dreams on hold for Jack and their family. I’m not saying she resents them or doesn’t love her life with her family, I don’t think either is true, or that she couldn’t have been more tactful, but those feelings were not out of character for Rebecca.

Ange: I don’t think we’ve seen him behave like that before and while I think he did overreact, I am a bit surprised that it’s never come up before given how we’ve seen how open their relationship has been in the past.

THIS IS US — “Jack Pearson’s Son” Episode 115 — Pictured: (l-r) Jon Huertas as Miguel, Milo Ventimiglia as Jack — (Photo by: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)

Ange: So I feel like Miguel was a lot more likable in this episode. I mean he’s never been a bad guy per se but we get pretty protective of our couples especially when someone threatens that. He’s growing on me though and I wonder if maybe him and Rebecca being together now was a dying wish from Jack or something.

Melissa: Yeah, the more we get to know Miguel, the more I like him. Logically he must be a good guy or Rebecca wouldn’t be with him, right? I mean, after Jack, she’s got to have some pretty high standards. Them being together as Jack’s dying wish…I don’t know. I get the impression Jack’s death was sudden, and alone. Maybe a heart attack while Rebecca is on the road and the kids are off being teenagers? That’s too sad to contemplate. Back to Miguel: he handled Keven just right. Good job, Miguel.

THIS IS US — “Jack Pearson’s Son” Episode 115 — Pictured: Sterling K. Brown as Randall — (Photo by: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)

Ange: Agreed. It’s good to see Kevin slowly thawing his anger towards him too. Now, let’s talk Randall. Man, this week was tough to watch, especially knowing how he has dealt with stress in the past. I just want Randall to be okay! Do we think his breakdown at the end of the episode will be the turning point or will he have further to fall? Side note, I loved the full circle of Kevin being there for his brother now instead of turning away like he did in the past, even if it meant jeopardizing his big opening night.

Melissa: Watching Randall slowly devolve into his meltdown was rough. Hit after hit after hit. I’ve been there. There’s a certain point where if you haven’t stopped it, if someone hasn’t helped to pull back and take a breath, then a full meltdown is inevitable. I think that point for Randall was when William fired his nurse and Randall had to go take care of the situation. After that, he was in free fall. (Kudos to Sunjay for taking over at the meeting; I think I might like him.)

THIS IS US — “Jack Pearson’s Son” Episode 115 — Pictured: Justin Hartley as Kevin — (Photo by: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)

Ange: Back to Kevin for a sec, were you surprised that he and Sophie are now cautiously dating? Given that she was seeing someone last time we saw her, I’m surprised she caved so easily. But then again, if I had someone has charming and persistent and that looked like Justin Hartley, I guess I would cave too…

Melissa: Nah, not surprised by Kevin and Sophie. Whoever she was with before must not have been serious.

THIS IS US — “Jack Pearson’s Son” Episode 115 — Pictured: (l-r) Chris Sullivan as Toby, Chrissy Metz as Kate — (Photo by: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)

Ange: While this episode had a lot of angst and high emotions, one of my favorite things about this ep was the growth in Toby and Kate’s relationship. I feel like I’ve been waiting for this more step back from rushing things and get to know you a little better moments (loved the little exchange when Kate revealed her first crush was Aladdin!) which then lead to more serious and in-depth exchanges and the mutual decision not to rush into getting married. What are your thoughts?

Melissa: Finally, someone steps on the brakes in that relationship! We’ve been saying for weeks that they were moving too quickly. Their “deep dive” was a fun way to get them to talk about some pretty serious parts of their respective pasts. I’m impressed that Kate asked about Toby’s dark thoughts, and that he is in a place where he can talk about that time in a neutral manner. Kate not being able to talk about Jack’s death yet was a bit of a surprise, coming after Toby’s honest revelation. He is absolutely correct that they need to just be engaged until they can talk about everything. (P.S. BYE DUKE.)

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

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