This Is Us (5×01, 5×02) Forty: Part One and Two Review

For our review of the last episode of This Is Us, click here.

Synopsis: In the two-hour premiere, the Pearsons gather to celebrate their 40th birthday while musing about the day they were born. (NBC)

This Is Us is back, and I couldn’t be happier–seriously. With all the delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was pretty touch and go there on whether or not television shows would actually be able to film anything. But lo and behold, This Is Us managed to get back to work amongst many other shows, and now, here we are!

The season 5 two-parter did not disappoint which did not come as that much of a surprise but it’s easy to be skeptical of how they’d incorporate the coronavirus into the storyline. Luckily, they didn’t crash and burn with that, and despite an awkward intro into that part of the story, This Is Us managed to do a pretty good job.

And with that, let’s dive into the episode(s)!

The episode kicks off with Kevin and Madison (Caitlin Thompson) discussing the fact that she is pregnant…with his twins. Yes, that’s right, twins. It seems like an unlikely pair, but something tells me their story is going to blossom into a beautiful romance and a happily ever after. At least that’s what I’d like to think anyway. During their conversation, they both casually bring up the “virus thing” as the rest of awkwardly cringed at how they approached it. Meanwhile, the series didn’t waste any time in roping in the coronavirus into the story. Given the nature of the pandemic, Rebecca and Miguel ended up staying at the cabin, while Kate and Toby just quarantined and kept their distance from everyone and everything on account of baby Jack.

Viewers may recall that the season 4 finale of This Is Us ended with Randall and Kevin getting into a huge argument over Rebecca’s health. Some harsh words were exchanged, and since then, the two hadn’t really spoken, which brings us to the Big Three’s 40th birthday party. It was a bit strange, admittedly, to see the family divided during another classic Big Three birthday episode. The writers deserve credit along with the cast for bringing justice to the angst and bitterness between the family members. As a viewer, they should come together. But that tension was palpable and truly felt so raw. Which is why when Randall texts Kevin about Madison’s pregnancy, it hurts to see them struggling to find words for one another. Their relationship has always been a struggle, this rift feels scary and different.

Speaking of different, we know that This Is Us decided to rope in the COVID-19 pandemic into this season, but they also decided to touch on the Black Lives Matter movement following the death of George Floyd. The devastation and anger of this incident are portrayed through Randall as he tries to come to terms with what’s happened. In fact, the entire family is a loss for words on how to go about understanding yet another incident that has taken the life of a Black man unlawfully. It appears that this will be a resounding part of the fifth season, especially for Randall who, even at the age of 40, is trying to understand his place in the world.

To celebrate their birthday, Kevin, Kate, Toby, and Madison hop on an RV and drive across the country to be with Rebecca and Miguel. The situation is less than ideal, and only gets worse when they arrive at the cabin and learn that Rebecca got lost once again when she ventures out to get a birthday cake. The whole situation is a testament to the fact that Randall was correct in trying to get her help. That’s the thorn in his and Kevin’s relationship, and it is clear that Kevin is starting to understand why Randall was so concerned, to begin with.

After Rebecca’s episode, Randall shows up at the cabin to check on her, and of course, exchange awkward glances and conversations with his siblings. I expected Randall to be sassy and condescending but it was nice to see they wrote a great episode for him. He didn’t throw it in anyone’s face that he was right along, and was purely there for Rebecca. He had more than ample opportunity, however, as he is the one to figure out that Rebecca’s episode was a result of her mixing her medication with an anti-histamine. Kevin can be a jerk all he wants, but they all need Randall!

On his way out, both Kate and Kevin have conversations with Randall that leave you with a hole in your heart. Starting with Kate, who apologizes for all that has been going on after the death of George Floyd. She tries to get through to Randall only for him to respond as calmly as possible that the situation is a horrible one, but it’s not the first time. In fact, many incidents just like this happened throughout their lives, and he always felt the need to comfort everyone else. He’s exhausted now, and it’s not his job to make everyone else feel better about it. Brown is definitely getting nominated for an Emmy for that scene. Kevin is the next to entertain a conversation with Randall, but it’s likely the most awkward one they’ve ever had. As someone watching, Kevin should apologize, but he couldn’t get there. Instead, he talked about Madison’s pregnancy (she had a scare earlier in the episode when she fell on her stomach, but don’t worry, all is well!) and how he will be having a boy and a girl. He’s going to be a great father (at least, I’m hoping so), and apparently a great husband since he did propose to Madison while they were at the hospital. But as far as being a brother goes, he needs some help in that department.

Last but not least, the season 5 two-parter premiere gave us the classic interwoven series of flashbacks, but there was a big emphasis on Randall’s birth mom and young William. We see that his mother struggled with a drug problem, and stayed off of them during her pregnancy, and refused to take any for the pain when she delivered. Unfortunately, the pain was too much to bear and with the help of William, she managed to get her hands on some drugs for the pain. But there is a plot twist in this flashback that wraps up the two-hour premiere in a twisty boy. Throughout the flashbacks, we learn that William finds Randall’s mom, Laurel, dead in her bed at some point. He calls the paramedics who eventually prepare to call time of death as a flustered Randall runs away with baby Randall in his arms.

But as we saw in those final seconds of the premiere, Laurel (Jennifer C. Holmes) didn’t die, and as it would appear, she may very well be alive in the present day. Given that Randall has officially decided to change therapists and focus heavily on his mental health, this plot twist is certainly going to throw him for a loop–and make for one hell of a season.

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