‘This Is Us’ Revealed Another Member of the Pearson Family in Tonight’s Episode

This Is Us is running two for two in terms of bonkers final-minute reveals. Last week we found out Kate is pregnant, and this week we learned…well, read on to find out.

The ’90s

Jack is putting all the flannel he wears to good use and taking Child Randall and Child Kevin on a camping trip. Jack and Rebecca think this will help Kevin and Randall get along better…because trapping two kids in a tent helps them bond? In my experience, not having access to air-conditioning just makes people more irritable.

Rebecca and Child Kate are going to have a “girls’ day” while the boys are gone, which is just a train wreck waiting to happen. But things take a turn when Rebecca gets a call from a nursing home saying Jack’s father (Stanley) is close to passing. Rebecca tries to call Jack, but to no avail. Remember, he’s literally in the woods.

Rebecca goes to the nursing home to visit Stanley. It’s quiet and overly dramatic. Stanley doesn’t say anything, and Rebecca laments about his difficult relationship with Jack. Stanley notices Kate standing outside his hospital room and asks to see her; Rebecca quickly shoos her out of sight. Yeesh.

Meanwhile, in the forest, Kevin’s being a grade-A douche to Randall. Their contentious relationship is all Kevin’s fault; I don’t know why Randall has to endure mosquito bites to mend something he didn’t break. Jack reprimands Kevin and asks why he can’t be nice to Randall. Kevin rudely says he “doesn’t know” and asks Jack to stop talking. Can we just send Kevin to boarding school? He’s like the Blair Witch, only less cool.

They ultimately squash their beef after Kevin finds Randall’s notepad, which includes an entry about things not to do to annoy him. (Further proof Child Randall is a god among peasants.)

Rebecca finally gets a hold of Jack and tells him about Stanley. She asks Jack if he wants to visit the nursing home, and he flat-out says Stanley’s been dead to him for a long time. It’s ice-cold, but I suppose I understand where he’s coming from. (See Young Jack’s story line, below.)

Adult Kate

Kate wastes no time telling Toby she’s pregnant. He acts excited, but it feels forced and disingenuous. My only evidence for thinking this is the face he makes after hearing the news looks like Taylor Swift’s infamous surprise face. Kate’s understandably worried her age and weight might cause her to lose the baby. Toby tries to comfort her, but it doesn’t work and, instead, she tells him to keep any excitement he has about this baby to himself. His hope, she says, will just put more stress on her. This is such faulty logic. He’s just supposed to not mention it for nine months? Then why even tell him in the first place?

Kate lashes out at the skinny girl, Madison, in her Overeaters Anonymous class, and they have a super annoying fight in the parking lot. It’s clear Kate’s just resentful of this girl because she’s thin, and that’s kind of ick; like, people of all shapes and sizes have eating disorders. However, it’s also clear this overt, random-AF fight means Madison and Kate will become friends.

Yup, I’m right. They have a fender bender in the parking lot, which causes Kate to freak out because she’s pregnant. When Madison hears this news, she’s not even mad about her car; she just hugs Kate and congratulates her. This is arguably the fastest-developing relationship in TV history. Imagine if our world leaders were like this?

The accident gives Kate a revelation about her pregnancy: She isn’t afraid to tell people about it now. So Kate and Toby go to a random restaurant, and she tells him he can tell one person inside they’re expecting. This is more bizarre than it is cute, but the mood music’s making me feel things.

And Toby doesn’t even follow the rules! He tells everyone in the restaurant that Kate’s pregnant and starts dancing. He then pours water on himself like he’s in Flashdance. This is all so dumb and disrespectful and not at all endearing! Kate said one person, man. Also, his real name is Tobias? WTF?

Adult Kevin

Kevin can’t stop taking pills to fix his knee. There’s some dramatic “addiction” music happening here that’s, honestly, making me feel pretty uneasy. Kevin stares at himself for a long time in the mirror—which, again, is sort of overkill. When did this show take a turn into Intervention territory?

He’s visiting Sophie in New York. They’re attending some fancy hospital gala where Kevin’s getting auctioned off for a date to raise money. Kevin asks Randall if he’s jealous of this, to which he (rightfully) replies, “No Black man will ever be jealous of being auctioned off. #AmericanHistory.” Yes, he says “hashtag,” which I’ll let slide because Randall’s perfect.

Kevin is blowing up his doctor’s phone for more Vicodin. It’s uncomfortable. He starts drinking a beer while Sophie’s getting ready for the gala; she reprimands him, and he gets defensive. I don’t know how to handle all this substance-abuse foreshadowing! Is Kevin going to get drunk at this gala and embarrass Sophie?!

Yes. That’s exactly what he does. Kevin misses his cue to go on stage for the auction because he’s drunk and yelling at his doctor on the phone. Sophie rips Kevin to shreds for this, and he offers no explanation. Instead, he acts evasive, says he’s stressed, and that he never should have agreed to attend the gala. I hate to say this, but he’s acting like most addicts do when confronted. Any doubt that these pills are a problem for Kevin just went away.

Adult Randall

Kevin, while visiting, makes some comment about Déjà being “surly,” which Randall doesn’t appreciate. He tells Kevin to tread lightly with her and to not mention her hair. (Remember, Déjà cut off the braids Beth did for her after she realized Beth told Randall about her stress issues.) Déjà asks to attend Kevin’s gala; Randall agrees, but says he’ll have to take her because Kevin will be busy. Beth objects; it’s clear Déjà only wants to go because she’s crushing on Kevin. Stupidly, Randall doesn’t listen to Beth and says he’s taking Déjà anyway. Always listen to Beth, fool!

At the gala, things are awkward AF between Déjà and Randall. It’s obvious all she wants to do is hang out with Kevin, who’s frantically calling his doctor about Vicodin. (He’s also sweating. And drinking more. Ouf.) Déjà’s crush on Kevin is cute; I just hope things don’t turn dramatic, but knowing this show they will.

Randall stares intently at Déjà’ as she eats a shrimp cocktail. He freaks out on her right as she’s about to eat the tail, which causes her to run to the bathroom. Randall rushes after her, and we learn the reason behind her fear of being touched and yelled at: Her former foster mother’s boyfriend used to beat her with magazines. Randall doesn’t know what to say to this, and, frankly, neither do I. It’s heartbreaking.

Young Jack

Yes, Young Jack makes an appearance in this episode (probably to aid the story about his dying father). He and his dad are going on a fishing trip, but they detour to a tavern for a quick drink. Jack’s visibly upset by this, which hints that he’s aware of his father’s drinking problem. This also foreshadows Jack’s future alcoholism and, if you think about it, Kevin’s pill addiction. Layers!

Holy shit. Stanley straight-up leaves Jack in the car to get drunk…and he stays in the bar for hours.

Wait. Wait. Wait. There’s someone else in the car with Young Jack. It’s another child. Jack’s brother. Jack has a brother. A younger one named Nicky! Whaaaat?! There’s an entire human we knew nothing about! Another classic This Is Us plot twist that came out of left field. We’re supposed to believe no one has ever mentioned this guy up until this exact moment??!? Color me annoyed but, yes, intrigued. Damn it!

Parting thoughts: Does Jack’s little brother also have a mustache now?