Sylvester Stallone guest starred as himself on This Is Us this week. For some, including Kate (Chrissy Metz), this is a big deal.
Sly is in Ron Howard’s film and so is Kevin (Justin Hartley). On the set, he is cordial to his co-star’s sister as the pair chat about everything from Rocky to her father’s passion for the Rocky movies. She tells the film icon that her dad suddenly died when she and Kevin were kids.
This conversation doesn’t sit well with Kate’s twin, who learns of the interchange just before filming his monologue opposite the big star. He’s so distracted by this news that retakes are required because he finds himself drifting.
Instead of inhabiting his character, he keeps thinking about his dad and all the unresolved angst of losing this important parent so young.
Despite his genuine compassion for the This Is Us character’s loss, Stallone turns into a caricature of a character of his real persona, making many viewers uncomfortable.
What also feels initially uncomfortable–but rightfully so–is the addition of a foster kid into the Randall Pearson (Sterling K. Brown) fold. Her name, Deja, is used to bond her new paternal figure and the young girl since her situation reminds him of his at her age.
Given that the 12-year-old is ripped away from her addict mom by social services before heading to jail, Deja becomes a handful for her new family. She’s disrespectful, angry, and upset. Still, she ultimately starts to get close to the other two kids after seeking companionship in the middle of the night.
Both Deja and William (in a flashback) assess the situation in the Pearson abode, independently deciding, “This house is crazy.”
Crazy good, right? Randall’s family moments, though often complicated, seem to inevitably turn warm and fuzzy.
Also ensconced in the warm and fuzzy after their estrangement turns into reconciliation are old school Rebecca (Mandy Moore) and Jack (Milo Ventimiglia).
These uplifting moments take time to come to fruition on This Is Us, season 2, episode 3, but the reunion ultimately turns romantic. Too bad Jack doesn’t have long to live.
This Is Us airs Tuesdays on NBC at 9 p.m., ET.
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