Few shows consistently deliver on their premise as well as This Is Us. As we near the end of Season 1 and piece our shattered hearts back together after William’s death in "Memphis," this week's installment looks at what our loved ones leave us when they pass on. It’s about more than possessions, it’s about the emotional gifts we treasure long after someone is gone.
"What Now?" beautifully illustrates the huge impact William had on the family in the space of a few short months and though he’s gone, he most definitely won't be forgotten. We started sniffling when Beth found the note. But brace yourself, we’re just getting started...
And the children shall lead them
In a note William left in his room, he reveals that he wants Randall and Beth’s daughters Annie and Tess to be in charge of his memorial service. True to form, the girls embrace this role with zeal and assign family members to various tasks.
Randall asks to do the eulogy and then revises it to “a toast” when they point out that a eulogy sounds pretty serious. Randall’s learning curve has just begun.
After receiving a bereavement gift of a box of pears (which he's deathly allergic to) with an impersonal note from his firm, Randall’s casual chat with his postman about William clues him into the fact that William made a deep impact on the people in the neighborhood in the short time he lived with them. Meanwhile, Beth tells Randall how upset she is that she didn’t get to say goodbye to William and, Randall being Randall, he listens to her and actually hears her.
When he gets up to give his toast, he hands the mic to Beth, saying she really knew him. When a shaky Beth says, “William was endearing as hell. He’s part of our fabric now. We’ll remember things as before William and after William,” yep, that’s a big lump in your throat. We feel it too. (It gets even bigger when William sends Beth a postcard from beyond the grave, telling her she was the daughter he never had.)
Reduced to tears by Beth’s loving words, Kate runs out of the house to get some air. Randall follows her and she tearily tells him this is bringing back all her feelings about Jack’s death, and that she's sorry he has to go through losing a father twice.
Will someone hold our hand?Credit: nbcRandall calmly tells Kate that he's fine, and that she has to let her feelings out with the people who love her. That panic attack a couple of episodes ago clearly opened Randall’s eyes and his relaxed demeanor is markedly different than his usual effort to be cool and collected. Something in Randall has changed. He even tells her that he had a dream about Jack and William meeting, in which both of them lovingly traded stories about driving with Randall. (And we're bawling.)
Later that day, Kate tells Toby it’s hard for her to talk about Jack’s death because she was the reason he died. [Record-scratch] Wait, what?!?!
Continuing their tribute to William, the family wears hats on a neighborhood walk. In a perfect, on the nose detail, Randall wears William’s fedora. Rebecca tearfully apologizes to Randall for keeping him away from William for so many years. She was so afraid she’d lose Randall and apologizes for being so selfish. Randall tells her it’s ok and calmly soothes her as she cries. Who is this new Randall? And what has he done with the old one?
The show must go on... again
Take two! Kevin faces his opening night in the play again. He implores an important New York critic to attend for a second time because he knows a positive review can help the show, and his career.
When Sophie comes backstage to wish him luck before the show, it thrills Kevin and it’s clear he’s smitten with his ex-wife in a way we haven’t seen before. After the show, Kevin tells her that even though the critic didn’t come back, it made him so happy to see her and his family there. He’s also realized that he returned to New York to win back Sophie, and that he'll wait as long as it takes to convince her of his commitment. Post-show, Randall tells Kevin, “There's now a man where the Manny once stood.”
The Manny's growing up.Credit: NBCThat night, Kevin and Sophie go home together and get physical, and as a happy Kevin basks in the afterglow next to his old flame, his cell phone rings and it’s Ron Howard – yes, the realRon Howard! – calling to talk to him about a film role that will shoot in Los Angeles after seeing him in the play.
But wait, Kevin just told Sophie he came back to New York for her. Will he leave her and choose career over love? Or will The Manny man up and follow his heart?
Randall is feelin’ himself
After Randall congratulates Kevin on his terrific performance, he stops by his office, where his co-workers are burning the midnight oil. His boss is relieved to see him, but when Randall starts to talk, things take an interesting turn.
With a quiet, cool tone, Randall talks about his father’s legacy and what he’s going to do with his life to respect that legacy. He talks about bringing in most of the firm’s business and receiving that low class note and gift from them after his father's death.
In short, Randall is done with the firm and tells them he’s quitting. For once, the show has us cheering instead of weeping! Randall says he may take a walk in the morning now, instead of a run. He’ll chat with his neighbors. William may have left the building but it’s clear Randall is embracing the jazzman’s essential spirit. Next thing you know, Randall will be opening a jazz club.
Most notably, Randall has become the patriarch of the family. He’s a rock. After working through his fears and doubts, he’s come out the other side stronger, calmer and more peaceful. Now, can he just tell us how to do that?
Rebecca & Jack are on the rocks
Rebecca is packed and waiting to be picked up to go on tour with the band. Jack is late getting home from work, which irritates her. When he walks into the house, they have a few sharp words and then she leaves without an "I love you." They're not their usual selves and we have a bad feeling about this.
There's way too much space between them.Credit: NBCTeenage Kate tells Jack not to sit at home alone that night so he goes to a retirement party for one of his co-workers at a neighborhood bar, where pretty girl Heather hits on him and he shoots her down hard. Jack shakily leaves the bar, calls Kate at her friend’s house and tells her how happy he is to have a kid like her.
He drops his keys – is he drunk? – then gets in his car. The song playing over him driving away croons, “every road leads to an end.” Oh god, is this what Kate was referring to? And now we’re crying again.
As we head toward next Tuesday’s season finale, we gotta wonder how many tears are in store for us. How much money do we owe Dan Fogelman and the writers for these weekly therapy sessions? And for that matter, how much will we see of Jack in Seasons 2 and 3? (Remember, NBC already gaveThis Is Usan unprecedented two season pickup.) Most of all, what will we do during the wait for Season 2? We’re in tears just thinking about that.
This Is Usairs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on NBC.
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