This Is Us (5×07) There Review

Ariba BhuvadFebruary 10, 202190/100n/a7 min
Director
Kevin Rodney Sullivan
Writers
Isaac Aptaker, Elizabeth Berger
Rating
TV-14
Running Time
45 minutes
Airs
Tuesdays 9pm
Channel
NBC, CTV
Overall Score
Rating Summary
There sees This Is Us throws us a dramatic (and commendable) curveball as Kevin rushes to get home in time for Madison's labor.

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

Synopsis: Kevin embarks on a stressful road trip; Jack and young Kevin go to a football training camp. (IMDB)

This Is Us knows how to keep us on our toes, which is a commendable feat five seasons in. Just when you think the series has gotten slightly predictable, we’re thrown a curveball obliterating any theories or ideas we thought we had. This week’s episode focuses on Kevin trying to rush home in time for Madison’s labor.

To backtrack a bit, Kevin had jetted off to Vancouver for his latest film, at the request of Madison who wanted him to go but also doesn’t want him to let it be their life. Not sure how they will tackle that one, but they may not have to after what Kevin does in this week’s episode. Right before he’s meant to do a scene with the Robert DeNiro, Madison calls and tells him that she’s having contractions and may possibly be in active labor. Without giving it much thought, Kevin tells the director he’s leaving to get to her ASAP, and just walks away from the movie of a lifetime. Talk about true love and commitment.

Getting back home wasn’t going to be an easy feat considering he would have to catch a flight, and there were very few to pick from. But with the help of Miguel and Rebecca, Kevin is booked on a flight out of Seattle, but only has two hours to get there.

And, of course, the most Pearson thing happens to him when he stumbles upon a car accident. So, no, he wasn’t the one that got in an accident, he was just helping someone out that was. That someone is played by West Wing’s Joshua Malina, and thanks to Kevin, his life is saved. Perhaps at the cost of Kevin missing Madison’s labor, but being a Good Samaritan is something Jack had instilled in his kids, and Kevin is determined to live up to that standard.

It’s unclear if Kevin does make it in time for the delivery or not, but for now, Madison has the support and love of Randall and Beth who are driving back from New Orleans. Since they can’t physically be there, they offer to stay on the phone with Madison and give her all the support she needs while Kevin is trying to get back to her. It’s a very sweet and kind gesture, and certainly caused a fit of sobbing and heartfelt tears from my end.

Kevin’s actions in the present are paralleled with flashbacks to his childhood when Jack is urging and pushing to play football, just as his father pushed him to do. But along the way, Jack realizes that he’s doing the very thing he resented his father for doing to him, so he backs off. Watching his father’s ability to improve inspired Kevin as a young kid, and now, he aspires to be like his father, if not even better.

There is a lot going on during the next episode of This Is Us, but it seems like we’ll have a pack of new Pearson babies to welcome to the mix (including Kate and Toby’s surrogate giving birth!). Yay for the Pearson clan growing!

Until next week.


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