It’s a matter of time before the “Book of Katoby” came to an end on This Is Us. Last night’s heartbreaking look at divorce is in the running with Jack’s trip to Ohio for the best episode of the season.
This Is Us Season 6 Episode 12 Recap: Katoby
Goodbye, Katoby
First of all, let’s revisit the original “Goodbye, Toby” from The Office. Hit it, Michael.
This Is Us sifts between multiple timelines in each episode, but this episode jumps back and forth through time like no other episode prior. It chronicles the downfall of Katoby, the rise of Phate (Phillip and Kate?), and the wedding of Phate.
The episode opens at Kate’s wedding to Phillip. She receives a call from Toby, and he tells her to remember what she told him on the day they signed divorce papers. If I were Kate, I would have hung up the phone on the spot. Receiving a call from an ex-spouse as you’re set to marry someone else is wrong.
Back in the present, Toby decides to take a job in LA and attend couples therapy in order to save his marriage. At first, things improve between Katoby, but as Kate becomes happier at school, Toby loses joy by the day. After Kate arrives late for a therapy session, a frustrated Toby leaves the session abruptly.
From there, the show jumps ahead to Kate’s engagement party with Phillip. Kevin brings a woman that won’t be in his life much longer to counteract the fact that Sophie is in the room with her husband. Randall finds time out of his busy Senate campaign to spend some time with the family. For Kate, she hits the stage to sing Chumbawumba’s “Tubthumping,” which changed her relationship with Phillip a few years prior. It turns out that Kate met Phillip in Koreatown the day she signed divorce papers and ended up singing that song at karaoke.
The episode then gets in the Delorean and travels back to the future to Nicky, Franny, and Hailey’s second birthday. Kevin brings a different girl this time who happens to be a spokesperson for Trojan condoms. Practice safe sex, everyone! The cracks in Toby and Kate’s relationship split open again after Toby comments about his wife’s low-paying job. Kate escapes to the other room in order to cry and reveals to Kevin that her marriage will probably end. Hold that thought as we jump forward to Phillip’s proposal to Kate a few years later. Obviously, she says yes thanks to some help from Jack and Hailey.
Back in the past, we go as we sit in on a dinner between Kate and Toby. The gloves come off in this fight as Toby screams that he is a good dad despite Kate’s constant remarks about the mistakes he makes. Kate accuses Toby of being miserable with the kids, and Toby says that he’s miserable with Kate in the room. YIKES. Furthermore, Toby says he’s unfairly compared to Jack Pearson, believing Kate will only accept a father as good as Jack. Sorry Kate, but I’m with Toby on this one. The fight comes to an end when Jack yells for help after his Boba Fett action figure goes in the toilet. The couple regroups, and Kate finally decides that their marriage is over.
After their divorce, Toby meets with Phillip to discuss his future with Kate and the children, and Phillip reveals that he will propose to Kate. Who knew Toby would be put in the same situation as Kevin with Madison and Elijah? After the meeting, the show goes back in the past to Phillip and Kate’s first official date. When Kate asks Phillip about his intentions, he tearfully reveals that he’s looking for happiness. His first marriage ended in tragedy when his blind wife died in a car accident after a huge argument concerning their marriage and infertility issues. Moved by his own speech, Phillip kisses Kate.
A few days before the divorce is final, Toby makes one heartfelt plea to stop Kate from going through with this decision. Unfortunately, Kate does not budge, and the result is heartbreaking.
Once the papers are signed, Kate tells Toby that just because their marriage is over does not mean the story of Katoby has come to an end. A dejected Toby does not believe Kate and walks away. Guess what? Kate is right as a montage of Katoby post-divorce showcases happier times between the ex-spouses. Toby even starts a relationship with a new woman! This all culminates with an older Kate and Toby, alongside their significant others, meeting at a bar to watch Jack sing.
Do you know what else ended last night? My theory about Kate’s death. Oh well, you can’t be right about everything.
See you next week at the wedding.
What are your thoughts on this episode of This Is Us? Tweet me, at @danny_giro.
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