This Is Us – The Big Three

By: Alex Steele

Entitled The Big Three this week’s episode gave us our first flashback (and first scene of the whole family together) to when Kate (Chrissy Metz), Kevin (Justin Hartley) and Randall (Sterling K. Brown) were eight years old. It’s breakfast time and Rebecca (Mandy Moore) is getting lunches packed while throwing total shade at Jack (Milo Ventimiglia) and the kids are being typical kids. Well, sort of. Randall is being picked on at school, which Kevin doesn’t necessarily do anything about, while Kate is on a strict fruit diet of which Jack continues to sabotage. What’s obvious in this first scene is the tension between Rebecca and Jack; overtired and stressed out from taking care of the kids while Jack works all day and comes home late.

Flash forward, we see present day Kate at the gym as she somewhat zones out, losing herself to the plethora of bodies around her. It’s a sequence we can all relate to as we’ve all been there at one point or another, comparing ourselves to that girl or that guy. Snapping her out of her trance is none other than Toby (Chris Sullivan). Kate is upset that she’s not losing weight at the rate Toby is (we’ve all been there too) but this moment of sadness is shown the door when Toby cracks a joke and makes her laugh. We then cut to Beth (Susan Kelechi Watson) and Randall lying in bed. She has something to ask him and upon encouragement not to censor herself she continues to question how much longer his “crack-addict biological daddy” will be staying with them.

Flashing back, we are introduced to newcomer and Jack’s best friend, Miguel (Jon Huertas), as they are seen throwing back a couple of bourbon’s after work. As Jack admits to having difficulty recognizing the woman he married, Miguel sits in silence and ensures it’s just him doing his duty as Jack’s best friend. But with a little encouragement, he reluctantly gives Jack a reality check by reminding him of what he’s got in the form of Rebecca and his kids. Cut to present day where William (Ron Cephas Jones) is seen continuing to bond with his granddaughters and it’s a beautiful sight to see. But when the conversation of bad habits turns to the topic of his cocaine addiction, both Beth and Randall interrupt. Before leaving for the day, William ensures Beth and Randall that at any point if having overstayed his welcome to say something and ironically, in the same breath, asks for money for the bus. Beth is extremely suspect as to what’s going on with him. Do we blame her? This week, Kevin seems a lot more positive about his decision to quit being the “Manny,” that is until he meets with his agent Lanie Schultz (Katey Sagal). Having walked in feeling hopeful, Kevin is shocked when he finds out that he’s contractually bound to the show for another two years. And if he refuses, they can sue him and pretty much end his career. Luckily for Kevin, Lanie is good at her job; securing him a chance to apologize to network big wigs at a Hollywood party that same night.

Not sure what to do, Kevin goes straight to Kate for advice who says that he should stick to his guns. He walked out for a reason, so all he has to do is remember why he decided to do that. Or like she recommends just simply state “Manny, OUT!” and be done with it. He seems to take this on board, but with one stipulation – Kate must attend the Hollywood party with him. The fear that crosses her face in this moment is heartbreaking but before she can even argue the point, Kevin has left. Later that same day, obviously having being thinking about the party, Kate has a “hulk like” outburst at her support group. When she loses it at the “skinny” girl in class, you can tell the internal struggle is becoming too much. Thankfully, she has Toby in her corner who offers a rousing and deeply moving speech to his soon-to-be girlfriend. Listing how many times they’ve made out and using metaphors to describe their relationship, Toby adds humor and a lightness to a topic that plagues Kate’s wellbeing. He beautifully, and carefully, encourages Kate that it can’t always be about her weight because life is there to be lived – not to mention, he wants so badly for her to take him to that party.

Flashing back to a young Kate, Rebecca is tucking her in when Kate proclaims, proudly, that she only ate fruit today. This scene offers an insight into the lifelong struggle Kate has had with food and her weight yet also highlighting the fact that our parents only ever want us to be happy and healthy. Rebecca poignantly assures her daughter of this, that her happiness is all that matters, but also promises that together they’ll find a balance. Next door, young Randall and Kevin continue to bicker. Kevin seems to be struggling with everyone else’s belief of how “weird” it is that they are brothers. Randall; however, is taking it all his stride. Just as the kids are tucked in, Jack arrives home from the bar, somewhat drunk. Having had enough of being a single parent, Rebecca calls him out by highlighting that currently they’re parenting (on a scale of 1 to 10) at a 6 when their kids deserve 9 parents. It’s not an argument, but the passion and desire for Jack to get himself together is heard through Rebecca’s monologue. And when she strongly states that the drinking has to stop, that she will not have it in her house, Jack gets slightly defensive.

Back in present time, Toby arrives to meet Kevin and Kate for the Hollywood party with all of them looking dressed to impress. Shortly after, at the party, the dance floor overwhelms Kate and sends her crashing back to reality. Again, Toby is there to dull the pain and by that I mean get her wasted. With a quick cut back, Jack has been left alone on the couch as we hear Miguel call to apologize for possible overstepping earlier as he’s jealous of what they have. Flashing forward again, Kevin is meeting with Mr. Manning (Brad Garrett). After apologizing for his outburst, he remains strong in his position to quit the show. Mr. Manning seems to understand, initially, but when he states that recasting the male lead would not be like drifting through his years on a morphine drip it becomes clear that Kevin won’t be leaving the show anytime soon. That is, if he wants to keep his career afloat. Elsewhere, Kate and Toby are well and truly drunk, dancing like no one is watching and it is the most joyous thing the audience has seen. Kate is carefree and in the moment, a testament to the tequila and also the outstanding company of Toby. Unable to get his sister’s attention, Kevin leaves to find a quiet spot.

After being ordered to bed by Beth (who is nowhere to be seen), Randall is woken up by his phone ringing. It’s Kevin and for the first time the audience is gifted with a “Big Three” interaction. Simultaneously cut with flashbacks to when they were kids (Kevin ignoring and leaving Randall out) the weight of this call now is understood. Wasting no time and struggling to make sense of everything, Kevin vents to Randall who patiently and silently listens on the other end. What’s touching is when Kevin cuts himself off to state, “I was never a very good brother to you,” to which Randall replies, “You’ve still got time.” Hearing his older brother struggle, Randall encourages a deep breath and Kevin does. Now joined by Kate, the three deliver that rousing, adorable little “Big Three” chant from earlier and this time around it’s just as captivating. I don’t think the audience will ever get sick of hearing it.

Downstairs, Beth and William are having a frank discussion. She wants the truth and isn’t afraid to ask the tough questions. We learn, also, that Randall suffers from debilitating stress and pressure that in the past has left him blind and gravely ill. The love Beth exudes for her husband is undeniable, passionately stating that his goodness is his vice, informing William that she doesn’t want to see him hurt. After suspecting that William is back on drugs after coming home late, Beth and Randall discover that he is travelling three hours back and forth from Philadelphia to feed his cat. Talk about a shock. Beth hilariously admits to feeling like a bitch after having questioned his motives but the great thing about this family, they laugh everything off. They see the humor in every situation. From one inspirational conversation to another; the alcohol is starting to wear off when Kate admits to Toby that it’s always going to be about the weight for her. It is at the core of her being. Chrissy Metz continues to talk directly to any individual who has ever struggled with weight and body image issues. With an honesty and vulnerability, representing a truth and a reality.

Closing out the episode, we flashback to the cutest scene ever. Jack has slept outside the bedroom all night and when Rebecca finds him, his reason for doing so would make anyone melt: “I don’t like sleeping far away from you.” After a night in the dog house, Jack promises Rebecca that he’ll stop, that he can stop for her. And that from now on, he’ll be a 12. Oh, and not to mention the family pile on that ensues, reminding us all why family dramas such as these are needed. But let me not forget the big twist that follows; cutting back to present day, William becoming more and more at home with Randall and his family, we hear the doorbell ring. What we hear next is Randall’s daughters exclaim “Grandma, Grandpa.” Oh what? William leaves for the bedroom while Randall goes to the front door and who do we see when the camera spans up? An aged Rebecca (Hi Mom) and Miguel. Talk about twist. What could this mean?

Other key notes:

• Kevin does end up quitting “Manny” even after the threats and decides to take up Theatre
• Kevin is moving to New York