This Is Us Season (4×02) The Pool: Part Two Review

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

Synopsis: Beth and Randall adjust to life in Philadelphia. Jack and Rebecca take the Big Three to the pool. (TVGuide)

Is it too soon to say that This Is Us season 4 is flying by? Yes, it’s only been two episodes but there’s always that unsettling fear that the season will go by too quick. The Pool: Part Two focuses a lot on family, more so than usual. There’s a reminder that no matter how old and independent we get, family (whatever that means to you) is what gets us through the rough times.

In the past, the Big Three, Rebecca, and Jack head back to the pool as summer vacation comes to an end. This time around, the kids are a little bit bigger and “too cool” to be seen around Rebecca and Jack. It’s a reminder they’re getting older, and that things are going to change regardless of how much their parents may want them not to.

Kate thinks she’s found friends in two popular girls who only try to set her up for embarrassment. But instead of letting her get to them, she embraces the prank they try to pull on her in stride (by kissing a boy she wasn’t expecting). Kevin learns a tough lesson on being nicer to Randall after making him feel isolated from his friends. These sorts of storylines are what make This Is Us very strong. They’re relatable, they’re real, they’re raw. It takes Rebecca and Jack a little bit to adjust to the changes in their growing kids, but by the end of the episode, they all come back together.

In the present, Randall and his family are trying to adjust to Philly in whatever way they can. It’s a bit harder on the kids, given all the changes they’re experiencing. Deja wants to ride the bus to school every morning, but Randall is hesitant. After experiencing a ride for himself and realizing she can handle herself, he reluctantly agrees–as long as she texts him every morning. Little does he know, Deja passes her new crush on the bus route and the amount of giddy she feels is adorable.

Tess is going through some growing pains of her own when she decides to get a new haircut. Beth isn’t too thrilled to see how drastic it will be, but she gives her that independence anyway. And it’s a good thing because Tess is killing her new look. Adorable little Annie is worried her old friends will forget her, but a quick reminder from her family fixes that up really quick. Looks like the Randall Pearson family will be just alright.

As was revealed in the season 4 premiere last week, Kate and Toby’s son is blind, and now they’re taking drastic steps to adjust to this. Which is why they bring in someone that specializes in parents adjusting to raising a blind child. Rebecca and Miguel (remember they moved to L.A.!), along with Kevin and Madison (not sure why she’s there) join for this meeting. Kate seems to be handling it all well, but eventually breaks down and admits it’s all very hard, but she is capable of it.

As a quick side note, Toby is losing weight fast, and it’s all because he’s working out in secret. Is this because he doesn’t want Kate to feel bad? Or is something else going on here? Time will tell.

All in all, the second episode of the fourth season is continuing the story in a strong manner as This Is Us usually does. There is a lot of story to unpack here, especially involving Kevin and Nicky. Kevin is quite lost right now, but he has been sober since Jack was born. Let’s hope it stays this way, and there is something magnificent that comes out of his story with Nicky.

Until next week!

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