This Is Us Recap: Parenting A Touchy Issue On Season 2 Ep. 2

Break out your hankies. This Is Us is hitting hard on parental issues. But, before we get into season 2, episode 2’s high drama let’s look at a lighter moment.

Kevin was asked back to play his old part on The Manny. Not thrilled with going backward to go forward, he tells Sophie he’d like to use this chance to move his audience like George Clooney did when he returned to ER.

Not likely with this particular casting. During the show, the stage manager gives Kevin new pages. He’s so freaked out by the fresh words that he tells Sophie he doesn’t have it in him to continue. She demand he to make this a Clooney moment, hinting that her man has skills and now is the time to pull them out.

So, Kevin makes an appearance on stage–wearing a diaper. Seems he has lost the family baby and is instructed that if he acts like one he will find her. He crawls around as the studio audience predictably roars.

In attendance is his family. All reunited to watch their star do his thing at the scene of the original crime against Kevin being a genuine thespian. However, quite a few have fled even before the curtain rises.

There’s Kate, who receives a phone call shortly after she sits down. She learns she has been tapped for the first booking of her new profession as a singer. One caveat: Kate must report to the venue then and there for the sound check.

Sound check? This sentence fragment floats across Toby to Rebecca, who perks up. Ever the entertainer, Kate’s aging mom has always been a tough act to follow as far as her daughter is concerned. Her shy passion for the profession Rebecca gave up causes conflict.

In fact, Kate’s reaction to what she perceives as continuous criticism, both now at 37 and in her teen years, is resentment. Lots. While that is to be expected from a girl not yet out of her parents’ house, it’s sad the feeling continues long after she leaves. A case of arrested development or simply a lack of real communication? It’s…continue reading on the next page —>

Continue reading on the next page…

In fact, Kate’s reaction to what she perceives as continuous criticism, both now at 37 and in her teen years, is resentment. Lots. While that is to be expected from a girl not yet out of her parents’ house, it’s sad the feeling continues long after she leaves. A case of arrested development or simply a lack of real communication? It’s complicated.

Anyway, nasty barbs fly but Kate still takes the stage in a dive bar to cover Stevie Nicks’ poignant Landslide. The song turns into a metaphor for the entire episode as the lyrics complement a myriad of events touched on during a heart-wrenching montage.

“Well, I’ve been afraid of changin’

‘Cause I’ve built my life around you

But time makes you bolder

Even children get older

And I’m getting older, too”

Maybe Rebecca and Kate will eventually heal their relationship like Kevin and Beth, but when does this happen? That’s complicated, too.

Randall’s wife is infuriated that her husband is having second thoughts about adopting an older child. He can’t stop worrying about all the possible ramifications, a certain recipe for not taking the plunge.

Beth isn’t having it. Frustrated, she leaves her kids in the studio with Miguel and Randall, who also leaves to chase her down. She shuns him and then wanders the backlot, turning up in Kevin’s dressing room.

The two chat and the charismatic actor reminds her that Randall will never attempt anything without being absolutely sure he will succeed. There’s one exception: The time when his bro met this cool chick and was so scared he would be turned down for a date that lady killer Kevin helped out with the dialogue for that transaction.

That cool chick was Beth, who never knew about this collusion. Happily, the date worked and two of the most unlikely people became lifelong partners, through joy and through conflict. Beth suddenly realizes that things will work out with Randall because–sniff sniff–they love each other. Very much.

This was a sweet moment in This Is Us, but the one that really brought out the tears was when Jack admitted to his precious little girl that he is a raging alcoholic and needs to get sober.

She takes her chubby hands and places one on each side of his cheek, letting her dad know that she’s with him. Talk about an intense parenting moment that may well go down in television history. Pass the tissues, please.

This Is Us airs on Tuesdays at 9/8c on NBC.