I’ll be filling in for Parker again this week, but hopefully Parker will return next week.
We begin this episode with Jack alive in the car with Rebecca going home from Miguel’s house. Rebecca tells him he has beaten alcohol before and he can do it again. She asks him how he did it the last time and we go to a flashback of Jack years earlier. Jack hid his struggle from the family last time. His very close relationship with Kate and desire not to let her down seemed central to his decision to stop drinking. He turned to boxing to release his work frustrations and tossed the bottle of booze out of his bottom drawer at the office. The episode ends with Rebecca driving Jack to a meeting at the same place he went to years before.
Kevin and Sophie
In real-time, Kevin and Sophie are in Los Angeles together. Kevin has been asked back to do a special episode of The Manny, and he is freaking out. The entire Pearson family shows up to support him. Despite a last-minute change by the director meant to humiliate him, he makes the best of it. Flashback scenes show that Sophie has been his biggest supporter since elementary school.
Randall and Beth
These two are taking the girls and flying to LA for the taping of Kevin’s guest appearance on The Manny. Beth is not fond of Kevin and doesn’t think he is funny. On the last episode we found out that Kevin lived in her basement for a year and she was not thrilled about that. Since they have decided to foster an older child, Beth wants to start preparing the girls, but Randall has been avoiding filling out the paperwork. Randall and Beth miss most of Kevin’s performance arguing outside on the backlot about becoming foster parents. Randall is not sure they are up for handling an older child with past abuse.
It’s Kevin who gets through to Beth by telling her that Randall has only taken one risk in his entire life and that was asking her out when he was 19. He lets her know he wrote the script for Randall’s phone call because Randall was terrified to speak to her. Randall and Beth end their scenes by telling the girls they have something to tell them. Next week, they get an out of control 12-year-old girl with sticky fingers.
Kate and Toby
We noticed in an earlier scene that Rebecca has always been a bit critical of Kate. So when Kate and Toby have Rebecca and Miguel over to their house before Kevin’s big show, Kate is a basket case. In her eyes there is no pleasing her mother. Even when Rebecca praises Kate there is always a subtle dig, or what Rebecca thinks is helpful criticism. I did love Toby for making pigs in a blanket for Miguel. Miguel seems to be the outcast of the present day Pearson family. I do not know what nut cheese is nor do I ever want to hear of nut cheese ever again. Mustard is the correct condiment for pigs in a blanket.
Halfway through the taping, Kate gets a call to replace a singer who fell ill. She leaves the taping to take the gig. Toby tells Rebecca that he wants to be with Kate for her first real gig, and Rebecca invites herself to go with him. Kate’s performance was lovely. Rebecca’s praise once again included a dig. She told Kate that with practice she would learn to control the room. Kate’s performance was full of childhood flash backs to her elementary school talent show. I usually hate shows that take place in multiple time periods within one episode, but this was perfectly done. We see Kate lose her confidence after Rebecca makes Kate a dress out the dress Rebecca wore during her first big performance. When Kate excitedly goes to find her mom, she finds her in the shower singing the song Kate was going to perform. Kate lost all of her confidence and refused to participate in the talent show.
Toby won over Rebecca this episode when he let her know with no uncertainty that he is Team Kate For Life and he is not going to be put in the middle when Rebecca tried to get his sympathy during the ongoing mother daughter drama. I did notice that Rebecca wore the moon necklace that Jack gave her to Los Angeles.
The acting is fantastic on the show, and the complexity of the characters that the writers come up with every week just blows me away.
I did not pick up on any more clues about Jack’s death on this episode. Did you?
I feel like Rebecca and Kate are just about as real as every mom & daughter I know. I seriously could have been listening to my mother. The writing in this show is amazing.
I would rather watch quality shows like this that spread the story over time and delve into characters and situations than go to the movies any day.
I love this show with every fiber of my being.
I see every mother and daughter in Kate and Rebecca too, and then Dad being both their hero. I love Jack and flaws and all he is so human.
I think the interaction with Randall and Kevin is so real. Everything about this just rings true to life. Love this show.
I hope they dont’ ever tell us how Jack died, I kind of want to pretend it didn’t happen. LOL
I was thinking this too..don’t ever tell me how Jack dies because then it’s not real:(. Gosh do I love Toby, I was iffy on him before but he’s becoming one of my favorites.
I like Toby too. He is so sweet and wise. Every character has relatable flaws and admirable strengths.
I think Rebecca always wears the moon necklace. I have seen it on her many times.
Anyone remember the TV series about 10 years ago called Brothers and Sisters? It had the same cult following that This Is Us does and the same real family drama. Ken Olin was a star of that show and he is the executive producer and director of This Is Us and I see so many similarities between the writing/directing of the two series and I think Olin can take some of the credit. Hands-down the best series of the season.
This is exactly right! I was crushed when it ended. This is the best replacement!!
He was also on Thirtysomething!
It would do a little bit toward restoring my faith in the common man if the discussion of this show got twice as much discussion as a housewives show.
Until then, off to moderate all the hateful comments about the housewives. Hate is clearly most popular commenting theme around these parts.
I actually JUST noticed today that your site is recapping this. Very happy to see it!
I lurk more than I comment, but I will leave this comment to help restore your faith in humanity, Tamara. I admit, I cannot look away from the dumpster fires. It’s not even a guilty pleasure anymore. It’s a ten car pile up can’t stop staring at on the freeway, even though I am completely horrified by what I see. It’s not something I would miss if it went off the air and if Bravo was a pay channel, it would be off my television in a hot second.
I love this show, I particularly love Beth and Randall as a couple. There are some great romantic relationships depicted on this show, but Beth and Randall are the ideal that all the other couples should strive to be. I also love the relationship between Randall and Kevin. The complex dynamics of love and competitiveness between these brothers are well done.
Agreed! I love even their fights and I hope they keep showing Randall’s father in flash backs because I enjoyed his character so much.
Sometimes after I’ve watched the show once or twice I put it on mute and just watch Kevin’s scenes.
Yep, I’m creepy as hell but he is FINE.
Good evening Tamaraa,
Just commenting to do my small part to help restore your faith.Love this show.
I only read your recaps for the housewives. I stopped watching the housewives 2 years ago.
I don’t want jack to die but I’m really curious how Miguel becomes a husband. It really bothers me because he’s had a “thing” for Rebecca for a really long time!
I’ve never understood the outrage of Miguel and Rebecca getting married. The two couples were very close and spent years together. Miguel’s wife died and he continued to be very close and a huge support system to both Jack and Rebecca. Then Miguel’s best friend died and Rebecca and Miguel took care of each other and eventually fell in love.
What is the problem y’all have with that. I think it is heartwarming.
I thought Miguel and his wife got divorced? Either way, it doesn’t bother me that they are together and that they did take care of each other.
Beth/Randall scenes are so good that if I miss a few lines of dialogue between them – as in, be quiet, husband who only tolerates this show! – I rewind to hear it all.
Those scenes with Kate holding her dad’s face as he struggles with his demons had me scrambling for tissues.
My only beef is tiny, but it bugs me so much. Why can’t they get Rebecca a better fitting/better looking wig for her present day scenes? It’s jarring how bad it is.
Thanks for recapping this, TT.
Miguel and his wife did get divorced. I am one of the people that find Rebecca and Miguel getting married somewhat off. It is obvious from Kevin’s reactions that it did not sit well with him. I hope they explore that more on the show.
I don’t like it either. It is probably due to the fact that after my parent’s divorced (for infidelity on my fathers part) my mom had a friend that was her support system of sorts. Then she “disappeared” for a couple of weeks and resurfaced “with” my father claiming they “accidently” fell in love. My mother was so hurt and betrayed. I know it is not the same…but I am biased!!
I love this show but just have to ask if anyone else thinks Mandy Moore as senior Rebecca is not the best? I feel like she should look a bit older, more wrinkles maybe? That part just doesn’t work for me! Love Randall and family and the kid actors so much!
The wig!! It is awful. I LOVE this show, my only critique is that Present Day Rebecca does not look old enough.
Not a fan of the older version . She also tries to hard acting in that timeframe, her mouth doesn’t move enough and just bad hair. Not to many moms this day and age look or dress like her. And I’m assuming she’s is attempting to be about 60. The production totally missed on her older road. Not to mention, no mothers are that wholesome these days, just unrealistic in her scenes
Just watched last weeks episode, why do they have a Steele fridge in approx 1995? It was in the scene when she is frosting a cake in the kitchen… just sayin!!
This is one the best shows on TV. I like that we know who they are today but this show untangles how they became that person. I don’t want them to reveal how the dad died until the absolutely necessary to the storyline. His love of his kids even though he is flawed is what brings me to tears each week a because he acknowledges each of their fears/flaws and helps them cope which is so good. We see their insecurities and we route for them. What’s not to like about this shoe y’all ?