This Is Us (5×14) The Music and the Mirror Review

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

Synopsis: Beth navigates her career path; Kate and Toby face unexpected issues; a run-in with someone from his past gives Kevin pause. (IMDB)

I’ve been waiting for an episode centered on Beth for a long time, and I’m happy to report it finally happened. Sadly, it came at the expense of watching Beth dealing with the difficulties of her career path, but it was one we desperately needed.

The Music and the Mirror takes us through the ebb and flow of Beth’s journey as a dancer, and the obstacles that continuously got in her way. She had opened her studio, and while things were off to a great start, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she was forced to shut down.

This really takes a toll on Beth who has wanted nothing more than to pursue her passion for dancing. Even as a young girl, she wanted nothing more but she was told she was not “good enough”. That defeat stuck with her throughout her life, to the point that she refused to celebrate her and Randall’s 6-month anniversary at the ballet. He tried to surprise her with Swan Lake tickets back in college, but the sight of the place reminded her of how she never made it.

That fear of rejection increases ten-fold in the present when she had to shut everything down and figure out what to do with her life once again. This is an extremely poignant and strong episode for Watson who shines in Beth’s misery and portrays it effortlessly. It’s a frustration so many of us can relate to, especially after the year we’ve had.

But Randall has always been her rock and after Déjà relays to him that Beth just needs support, he shows up the dance studio as Beth is packing up the last of her things. Normally, Randall goes into rescue mode, but the reality is–this all sucks. It sucks so bad and Beth just needs a moment to cry it out and feel bad. And that is exactly what Randall gives her as he plays one of their songs in the background, “All My Life” by K-Ci and JoJo. The very same song he played during their 6-month anniversary when Beth needed his support.

Meanwhile, Madison goes wedding dress shopping with Rebecca and Kate. It’s a bit nerve-wracking at first, but Kevin helps her through the worse that could happen. And while the worse did happen, it wasn’t Pearson-related. Instead, Madison finds out that her father can’t make the wedding because of a “work-related emergency”. She didn’t want him to come anyway, but it still hurt. Rebecca came to the rescue and reassured Madison that she and the entire family are so excited that she will be a part of their family. She doesn’t need to worry about anyone else, and at that moment, Kate is overwhelmed with the love she has for her mother. Something that was fleeting as a young teen.

Young Kate didn’t have things easy, and especially after the death of Jack, it was always a hit or mess for her with work and relationships. In a flashback, she’s supposed to go for an interview at Rebecca’s work but instead opts to go to the diner she and Jack used to and signs up for a job there. She would spend nine years working at the diner, but as we all know, things did eventually work out!

Speaking of which, in the present, Kate is killing it at work. It’s the perfect job for her but she’s unable to share the joy of it with Toby who is going through some issues of his own. After getting fired from his job, he’s lost himself a bit and just wants to feel useful. So he decides to take it upon himself to fix a leaking pipe in the house, but when that doesn’t work out, he ends up calling his dad. As much as he was opposed to that, Toby ends up learning a valuable lesson from his dear ‘ol dad that made him appreciate Kate and their entire family much more. Yay for talking everything out!

Kevin hits a bit of a roadblock this week after watching the screening of the movie he walked out on. It turns out it is horrible, and now he’s worried about what it will mean for his career. One horrible movie and it could be game over! It also doesn’t help that Kevin is infamously known for walking off of sets which would explain the hesitancy people have to work with him. We’ll have to see how that plays out, but something tells me that might be the least of his issues.

While meeting with his agents,  he passes by a room where Zoe was on a Zoom call on the television screen. She had a meeting with an agent as well, so while she waiting, Kevin and she caught up. There was something telling in their conversation that had Kevin thinking. According to Zoe, Kevin always finds a positive spin on things and accommodates everyone. And while that could be a compliment, it certainly has him wondering–has he ever done something for himself?

Tune in next week when Sophie makes an unexpected return!

Check out my TV blog to read reviews, recaps, and much more! Be sure to follow me on Twitter, Instagram, and like my Facebook page! @watchwithreebs

If you liked this, please read our other reviews here and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter, follow us on Instagram, and also like us on Facebook.

Ariba Bhuvad