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To quote Gary Numan, “Here in my car.” Car rides and babies dominated the screen on last night’s episode of This Is Us.

This Is Us Season 5 Episode 9 Recap: “The Ride”

Kevin And Madison Battle The Paparazzi

The paparazzi sucks. I’m trying to think of something nice to say about the paparazzi, but I’m at a loss for words. If you have a family and need to provide for them, then I can (sort of) sympathize with those photographers. However, if you’re single and stalk celebrities for a living, please get a life.

Madison experienced the paparazzi firsthand on her way home from the hospital with Kevin and the twins. A paranoid Kevin pulled over and confronted a photographer when he noticed the paparazzi was on his tail. Before he could start a fight, Madison intervened and cut a deal with the photographer. She’ll inform the photographer when Kevin goes jogging if he stops following them home, to which he agrees. Apparently, Madison is a ride-or-die.

When they arrived home, Kevin passed out in the car and dreamt about Jack meeting his twins. In the dream, Jack held Franny and Nicky while promising Kevin that he’ll be a good father. The dream ends with Jack asking Kevin to go after what he wants in life. It turned out that Kevin wants to marry Madison, and upon waking up, he re-proposed with a hospital bracelet instead of a ring, stealing a page out of a middle school boyfriend’s playbook. Madison accepted so let the wedding conspiracies begin.

Kate’s Dilemma

Things didn’t go according to plan for Kate. After Toby finally met Hailey, it was time to go home and become a family of four. But first, they had to bring Ellie home, who looked upset as soon as she stepped foot in the car. An excited Kate started to plan future playdates between Ellie and Hailey. However, Ellie tearfully revealed that she does not want to have an open adoption anymore. Expect this to come up again before the season’s end.

The bad news kept on coming when Toby shared the news about losing his job. Toby was laid off but withheld the news so Kate wouldn’t worry. Surprisingly, Kate remained extremely positive and reassured Toby that they will figure out their finances later. Something tells me that more problems are on the horizon for Kate and Toby. Unfortunately, Toby’s depression will most likely remerge.

One Shot Of Whiskey, Please

This Is Us brought us back to the day Jack and Rebecca left the hospital with the Big Three. Both parents were extremely nervous and on-edge. Can you blame them? Taking care of one baby is a full-time job, but three babies? That’s like working a 23-hour day.

On their drive home, another car illegally cut off Jack, which led to Papa Pearson angrily confronting the driver at a gas station. To calm down, Jack slammed back a whiskey nip and asked Rebecca to drive home. Upon arrival, Rebecca and Jack elected to stay in the car while the Big Three fell asleep.

At this moment, Rebecca and Jack revealed their biggest fears about parenthood. Rebecca disclosed how her mother experienced a miscarriage and never recovered from the sadness. Jack confessed to the whiskey shot and how he never wants to be like his drunk father. As this power couple tends to do, they lifted each other’s spirits and reassured themselves that they will be good parents.

Beth Wants A Blizzard

It was time for Randall and Beth to bring the cutest member of the family, Annie, home from the hospital. On their way to Dairy Queen, Randall expressed interest in having a third child with Beth. Randall wants a son so his family tree will grow. I don’t have kids, but talking about the next kid while your wife recovers from pregnancy seems like a death wish.

In the Dairy Queen parking lot, Randall explained how he has no family tree. At the moment, Randall does not know about William and Laurel. However, Randall reassured Beth that he doesn’t care about having a boy anymore. Tess and Annie will help grow his family tree.

A Flash-Forward!

It’s time to play “Who is in the flash-forward at Kevin’s house?” At the beginning of last night’s episode, a medical intern left the hospital to avoid a lecture on labor. This intern was picked up by another young woman. We found out that the intern is pregnant.

At the end of the episode, we got the big reveal at Kevin’s house. The pregnant intern was Deja and the driver was Annie. The girls embraced Randall and Tess at Kevin’s house. Right before the episode ended, a white car pulled into the driveway. In other words, the next guest has arrived. Who is it?

Did you like last night’s episode? Leave your comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

Let’s make some babies. The new Big Three arrived on This Is Us.

This Is Us Season 5 Episode 8 Recap: “In The Room”

Kevin, Madison, and the assist from Randall

Let’s start with the most famous member of the Pearson family, Kevin, who was in a race against time to join Madison in the delivery room. While Kevin battled the TSA, Madison battled her contractions as she did her best to wait for her fiancé’s arrival. Excuse my ignorance if battling contractions is not the proper term. Apologies to all of the strong mothers out there!

Alone and afraid, Madison received an unexpected call from Randall and Beth as they traveled home from New Orleans. The duo did their best to calm Madison down as she prepared for labor. I was ecstatic to watch Randall in a good mental space. It takes a toll on my well-being to watch Randall suffer from panic attacks and anxiety. More Hanson stories, fewer tears.

Thankfully, Kevin arrived before the birth of the twins. Did anyone else feel cheated of an explanation regarding Kevin’s conversation with the TSA agent? He gave this magnificent speech in last week’s episode, and it apparently worked. However, I wish there was a scene at the airport where the TSA agent explained her rationale for letting Kevin on the plane. It could’ve been Kevin’s Jerry Maguire sprint through the airport scene.

Nevertheless, the twins arrived, and their names are Nicholas, in honor of Uncle Nicky, and Frances, after Madison’s grandmother. Kevin called Randall to share the good news and apologize for his actions in the argument to end Season 4. Randall forgave Kevin and wished him well. Not to toot my own horn, but… toot.

Kate And Toby Welcome A New Daughter

Kevin wasn’t the only member of the Big Three preparing for parenthood as Kate accompanied Ellie to the hospital for the birth of her daughter. Due to COVID, Toby waited in the parking lot like he was tailgating for a football game.

Ellie gave birth to a baby girl named Hailey with Kate by her side. However, Ellie went against her own orders and asked to spend time with the baby before giving her to Kate. The writers teased the idea that Ellie would keep the baby, leaving a devastated Kate to watch from afar. Instead, Ellie reassured Hailey that by giving her to Kate, she would be doing the right thing. Eventually, Kate greeted and caressed Hailey as Toby, who bonded with Arlo aka Senator Mitchell Chapin from Amazon’s Jack Ryan in the parking lot, virtually looked on. Toby chose Rose as Hailey’s middle name in honor Arlo’s wife, who finally reunited with her husband.

Rebecca Reminisces At The Cabin

In the past, Rebecca and Jack retreated to the cabin for a romantic getaway. After a pipe burst, they argued about the Big Three and how they’re growing up too quickly. Rebecca reassured Jack that their family will always remain strong and survive. Truthfully, that hurt to watch knowing that Jack dies years later.

In the present, Rebecca bonded with the nicest guy to ever exist, Miguel. Rebecca thanked Miguel for always being there for her especially after Jack died. Just like Jack’s death crushed our morale, Miguel’s death will crush our souls. Yes, I’m calling my shot.

On a group FaceTime between Kate, Kevin, and Rebecca, Kate dubbed the babies as the new “Big Three.” I can’t wait for a Big Three episode centered around these three kids in a flash-forward.

I also want to make note of the storyline between Esther Pariente and Nasir Ahmed. It was a touching tribute to the man who helped develop video transmission.

Next week, we’re going back to the past as Jack and Rebecca bring the Big Three home from the hospital.

Did you like last night’s episode? Leave your comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

All eyes were on Kevin as he raced home for the arrival of his twins on This Is Us.

This Is Us Season 5 Episode 7 Recap: “There”

Kevin Hits The Road

If you thought Kevin’s twins were going to arrive on their due date, then you must be new to This Is Us. Right before his A Few Good Men moment with Robert De Niro*, Kevin receives a call from Madison, who tells him she’s having contractions. Stealing a page from Jack Pearson’s playbook, Kevin leaves the film, jumps in his car, and heads back to LA. Fans everywhere were happy when Kevin stood up to the director and quit the film.

Side note: Do you think they had to ask De Niro if they could use his name in the show? I think they did. More importantly, does De Niro watch This Is Us? Up until 2020, I’m guessing he never watched. However, I bet he watched a few episodes during quarantine and liked what he saw.

I’m a sucker for a long car ride as a framing device for Kevin’s internal crisis. In the span of an hour, Kevin quits the movie, talks to Randall, secures a flight home thanks to Miguel and Rebecca, and promises Madison he will make it in time for the delivery. Oh, that’s right. He also saved a man in a car accident!

Side note: I don’t want to toot my own horn, but I predicted Kevin wasn’t in a car crash. Instead, he would be the one to help out at the scene.

While conversing with the victim (Joshua Malina from The American President and The West Wing), Kevin conveys how he wants to be like his father, who was always there for every major event. Malina’s character assures Kevin that his kids won’t remember anything about their birth. Still, Kevin doesn’t want to be an absentee father, and missing the birth of his twins would most likely send him on a downward spiral.

This conversation ties in with the two other timelines on last night’s episode. A young Jack must drive his drunk father home after a little league game. Jack’s father, Stanley, berates Jack for losing the game. Fast forward to adult Jack, who travels with 13-year-old Kevin to football camp. Kevin starts to feel the pressure especially after overhearing Jack call him “soft.” After discovering that the coach insults Kevin at practice, Jack takes Kevin to dinner to talk. Then, serendipitously (I pray I’m using that word correctly), Jack runs into Kevin’s coach in the bathroom of the restaurant and orders him to refrain from calling Kevin stupid.

To put a bow around the paragraph above, the idea of becoming a better father than your own father is on full display. However, you’ll always have a piece of your father no matter how hard you try to embrace or avoid it. Jack wanted nothing to do with his father and swore he would never act that way around his kids. When Jack realizes he’s pressuring Kevin as much as his own father, he stops that behavior immediately. Jack emphasizes that Kevin will be a better father than himself one day. Now, Kevin is trying to be like Jack by being “there” for all the big moments. As much as Kevin wants to be like Jack, he will soon realize he needs to carve out his path to become his own man.

At the end of the episode, Kevin makes it to the airport in time for his flight. When he attempts to get passed TSA, it’s to no avail since he dropped his wallet with his ID at the crash site. It’s unknown whether Kevin makes the flight or not.

Randall To The Rescue

I predicted that Kevin would help at the crash site, but I was surprised when Randall called Madison at the end of the episode. Ever since the fight between Randall and Kevin, I said that the birth of Kevin’s twins would bury the hatchet between the brothers. It appears my prediction might come true after all as the promo for the next episode teases Randall and Beth coaching Madison through labor over the phone.

Next week, babies might arrive for both Kevin and Kate!

Did you like last night’s episode? Leave your comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

Let the solo episodes begin. Last night on This Is Us, Randall finally learned the story of his birth mother, Laurel.

This Is Us Season 5 Episode 6 Recap: “Birth Mother”

Laurel DuBoi

Randall, meet your mother, Laurel. Randall and Beth traveled to New Orleans to meet with Hai Lang. The duo met Hai at a lakeside house, which unbeknownst to Randall, belonged to Laurel. Over a day of conversation at the kitchen table, Hai shared Laurel’s story and how they came to know each other.

The Spark Notes Version

• Lauren grew up in New Orleans. Her father never truly accepted her.
• Comforted by her brother, Jackson, and Aunt Mae, who was secluded from the rest of the family.
• Jackson died in Vietnam. Aunt Mae encouraged Laurel to swim in the lake and scream her problems away.
• Laurel meets Hai, who moved with his parents from Vietnam.
• Hai and Laurel fall in love, but her father disapproves. When Laurel’s father forces her to accept a proposal, she asks Hai to leave town with her. He rejects her proposition so Laurel heads to Pittsburgh.
• Skip ahead to Laurel’s overdose. William leaves with baby Randall, never to see Laurel again since she technically died for a few minutes. William didn’t lie to Randall about his birth mother because that’s what he believed to be true.
• Laurel miraculously survives, but she’s arrested a few days later. She pleads guilty to drug possession and serves five years in a California jail.
• After jail, Laurel moves back to New Orleans and lives with her aunt. Laurel believes she could never be a good mother, which explains her decision to never seek out Randall.
• Laurel works at the same market at Hai. Although Hai is married with children, they remain friendly from afar.
• After Hai’s wife dies decades later, he finally reconnects with Laurel. However, Laurel has breast cancer and stops treatment. Hai happily spends Laurel’s final two years at her side before she dies in 2015.
• Hai gives the house to Randall.

Everything about the first forty to fifty minutes was so sincere. Although Laurel had tough moments, her life was not a tragedy; it was a story of redemption. For Randall, he finally received definitive answers about Laurel and her life. There were no tricks or curveballs about Laurel’s story. It felt like a completed story that Randall could accept and move on with without any regret.

The Lake

Here’s where things could get controversial. Towards the end of the episode, Randall goes for a swim in the lake. (Sterling K. Brown, drop the workout to stay shredded in the comments.) Randall entered the water because his mother used to do the same thing when she was feeling angry or upset. Not only did Randall feel his mother’s love in the water, but envisioned her physical self. Laurel told Randall that she loved him and needed to let go of his pain and anger. Randall screamed, and all of his pain went away.

The idea behind the scene was heartfelt. Since Randall spent time with William on camera, it makes sense to show an interaction with Laurel. The scene was beautifully written and acted and hit all of the emotional notes between Randall and Laurel.

For lack of a better word, This Is Us just went “supernatural on us.” The show uses flashbacks, but this is the first time where a character envisioned someone out of thin air. It wasn’t silly, but I’m not sure how I feel about this. This Is Us was on the X and Y axises and last night opened the door to the Z axis. Once again, the acting and heart of the scene was great, but envisioning Laurel didn’t make sense to me in the grand scheme of the show. Instead of the lake, what if Randall found a letter written by Laurel that stated her love for her child that she never knew? She could’ve written that entire monologue from the lake on paper and read it as a voiceover, with flashbacks to the day she wrote the letter as well as the happier moments in her life. Wouldn’t that have been just as effective?

Randall Calls Kevin

When Randall was ready to forgive his brother, Kevin was having a crisis of his own. Randall tries to bury the hatchet with Kevin, but the oldest member of the Big Three can’t concentrate because Madison went into labor while he’s in Vancouver. Kevin is speeding back to be with Madison, but in the promo for next week, a car crash will occur. I pray Kevin wore his seatbelt.

Did you like last night’s episode? Leave your comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

Between the election and winter hiatus, This Is Us has experienced more breaks than a long-distance relationship between freshmen at college. Thankfully, the show should be rattling off a large chunk of episodes in succession so let’s get cooking.

This Is Us Season 5 Episode 5 Recap: “A Long Road Home”

Kate’s Pregnancy, Abortion, And Trip To San Diego

In the last episode, teenage Kate held a positive pregnancy test in her hand. This Is Us spent little time beating around the bush as the first scene confirmed Kate’s pregnancy. She also revealed that she had an abortion and Marc, her abusive ex-boyfriend, was the father. After confessing to Toby, Kate drove to San Diego to confront adult Marc, who was still the same asshole from the past. Kate took back control of her life, forgave herself, and gave her pain back to the source, Marc.

Good for Kate. Marc traumatized her for years so it was inspiring to see her win back her confidence and strength. The abortion scene was both harrowing and practical so I respect the care the writers put into that scene.

Having said that, the meeting with adult Marc was a bit of a letdown. I understand why the scene happened, but it felt too good to be true. I’m a firm believer in separating television from real life, but Kate tracking down Marc seemed way too easy and unrealistic. Marc then conveniently lived in the same state as her less than two hours away. I wasn’t offended by the scene whatsoever. However, for a show that has tackled present-day issues such as COVID-19 with accuracy and attention to detail, this chance encounter seemed far-fetched.

Kevin The Father Or Kevin The Actor?

Currently, my favorite member of the Big Three is Kevin. His evolution from the funny, half-wit brother to a complicated, compassionate adult has been a highlight for the show. In the episode, Kevin receives a notice that his film will be shooting in Vancouver and must leave for a few weeks. Madison allows Kevin to go but reveals her concerns over his commitment to their relationship. Without specifically stating the circumstances, Madison gives Kevin an ultimate, his career or fatherhood?

Since when could actors not become fathers? Kevin needs to prove he can be a good dad, but doesn’t this argument seem a bit premature? Madison has every right to question Kevin’s intentions, but can we give the man a chance before an ultimatum? The twins haven’t even been born yet! I’m going to cut Kevin some slack. Let him go make some money for the family in Vancouver and come back before the birth of the twins.

Towards the end of the episode, Kevin surprisingly called Randall for advice about Madison. Kevin expressed his regret for the horrible insults he directed towards Randall months prior. It wasn’t an official apology, but it was a step in the right direction. Randall ends the call early, leaving Kevin to ponder if Randall still hates him. I originally predicted that Kevin and Randall would bury the hatchet once Kevin’s twins arrive so I’m sticking with that prediction.

Randall Learns About His Mother

Since next week’s episode will be entirely dedicated to Randall and Laurel, I’ll try to keep this brief. Because of Randall’s viral video, Hai, the Vietnamese grandfather showcased in earlier episodes, reached out to Randall and stated he knew his birth mother, Laurel. He also stated Laurel died in 2015 from breast cancer. After deliberating on what to do, Randall called Hai and learned his mother spent time with Hai in New Orleans. More importantly, Hai said William probably did not know she survived the overdose so what William told Randall wasn’t a lie; it’s what he believed.

Can Randall catch an emotional break? Every episode, he gets metaphorically punched in the stomach multiple times. Credit to the terrific Sterling K. Brown for his ability to cry on demand. He cries every episode! Randall reminds me of Elisabeth Moss, who stars in The Handmaid’s Tale and The Invisible Man. These difficult and emotional roles take a toll on a person’s well-being so I pray Elisabeth Moss mixes in a rom-com every so often. Likewise, can Randall just have an episode where he has a great day? Maybe he goes for a run, spends time with the family, and makes a few dad jokes. I’m hoping it all turns out ok for Randall.

Next week, we’re off to New Orleans to learn about Laurel. Bring your tissues!

Did you enjoy last night’s episode? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.