This Is Us, Season 4

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote: The last scene, I cried buckets. Imagine carrying that with you your entire life.

But he is not being open minded about accepting what Rebecca wants.

i saw that last scene as something he wanted to say, but never had the guts to do it. so he blames himself for his dads death. and has been trying to make up for it his whole life.

Me too! It’s horrible for him to blame himself.

But that’s what kids do. Even now, some kid is blaming themselves because their parents are sick, unemployed, getting divorced, an addict...

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Agree that Randall has become insufferable - smug, sanctimonious, and holier-than-thou. Also agree that the last scene was a heartbreaker. But I’m thinking Randall needs a lot more therapy to get beyond his issues. He’s just incredibly annoying and controlling right now.

What has happened to Dave Annable? His voice is so hard to listen to. I don’t recall him having that strange voice/lisp when he was on Brothers & Sisters - anyone else? I was SO glad Rebecca ditched him (politely, of course). He’s not worthy.

Agree about his voice. So strange. Why was his hair like that?
It actually really bothered me she kept flip-flopping with him. These characters are so self-involved. He thinks horse and carriage rides are cheesey and terrible for the horses? They are! Chill out, Rebecca.

And the Rebecca and Jack perfect couple thing is just TOOOOO MUCH already. Your husband getting your family lost in NYC because he won't listen to you is infuriating. Not, hey, what's going on with you, babe, stop, you're the best babe, let's get pretzels and make out now.

I think she was just really sensitive about the carriage ride because Jack had made it a fun, special experience for the whole family and she didn't appreciate it being called "cheesy." But I totally agree with your last paragraph - it's tiresome seeing perfect Jack and Rebecca, always so kind and respectful to each other. I mean, it would be great if that was real life for long-married couples, but we all usually have some moments we aren't proud of. I wish they'd show something like that. And agree about the making out in front of the kids scene. A kiss? No problem. But it was a little gross that they kept at it.

They DID show something like that a few seasons back, when there was significant tension between Rebecca and Jack when he was drinking and she was singing professionally again.

I'm talking about the more mundane moments in life - not dealing with a big crisis. Just a bad mood or a snippy remark. We never see them behaving the way real couples often do.

How are they perfect? Jack fees insecure because Rebecca is more cultured and had nicer childhood memories so he gets testy and anxious. Rebecca feels she needs to present her perfect memories and parents in a bad light to placate him. He won’t learn from her, he won’t let her lead. How is this a perfect relationship?

Because the little tensions are resolved too easily. In a real couple, if the guy's insecurities are making him a jerk when he gets the family lost in the city, his wife asking, "Hey, Babe, what's going on with you?" wouldn't elicit an instant heartfelt, vulnerable admission about his insecurity.

Actually, DH and I are that way. We don’t need a lot of digging. But we also spent a lot of time in couple’s therapy before marriage and know each other’s issues and triggers really well.

[Anonymous]

I wish Rebecca in NYC would have stood up to Jack. Basically told him "this is our subway stop. I am getting off with the kids - you can follow us or go your own way." Same when she continued to let him lead away from NYC until she confronted him.

[Anonymous]

Did anyone see last nights episode? Do we feel for Randall or hate him even more? I can’t decide. Also they shouted scenes from the finale. Looks intense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did anyone see last nights episode? Do we feel for Randall or hate him even more? I can’t decide. Also they shouted scenes from the finale. Looks intense.

On the one hand I do feel for him but speaking as a non-adopted kid, was it really that big a deal Rebecca didn’t tell Randall about william? I kept thinking “get over it already”

[Anonymous]

I didn't like this episode but in general Randall is too all over the place for me to follow. It's worse because he *tries* to act like he's all calm and in control.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wish Rebecca in NYC would have stood up to Jack. Basically told him "this is our subway stop. I am getting off with the kids - you can follow us or go your own way." Same when she continued to let him lead away from NYC until she confronted him.

It’s not like he lead them into danger or cause them to miss a flight home.

[Anonymous]

Rebecca kept William a secret for 36 years - even after Jack died and Randal became an adult. That was very cruel. What rational reason could she have to keep the secret?

[Anonymous]

Rebecca always said there was no paper trail from the firehouse, and she was afraid of losing him. I would have done the same thing. what makes no sense is the timeline where Randall hated her even after he met William and William was on drugs and mean to him and denied paternity.

[Anonymous]

I thought it was a great episode! It gave Randall's version of the worst possible outcome and the best possible life story if his Jack had lived. Of course, the reality would have been somewhere in between.

I also thought it was TOO MUCH for imaginary Randall to be mad at his mother for 20 yrs just b/c she kept his bio dad a secret for his childhood. It is not entirely unusual for adoptive parents to wait until their kids are teens to tell them more (if they know it).

I also hate Randall for pressuring Rebecca to leave the life that is supporting and sustaining her to do some TRIAL just so he MIGHT not have to say goodbye to her in 5 or 10 years. GUESS WHAT, Randall --- Rebecca is MORTAL and will most certainly die. Despite some really good therapy, Randall is taking his anxiety and making other people bear his burden. This is very wrong. And I now can see why Kevin would stop talking to Randall. The therapy isn't going to work. And Kate/Toby/Jack Jr. and Kevin are all going to lose out on time with Rebecca -- and more importantly, SHE is going to lose out on the things that make her happy just b/c Randall can't get his crap together and deal with it or medicate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rebecca always said there was no paper trail from the firehouse, and she was afraid of losing him. I would have done the same thing. what makes no sense is the timeline where Randall hated her even after he met William and William was on drugs and mean to him and denied paternity.

That made total sense to me - transference.

I have to say I really just don't care about the inner life of Randall that much and I find this a weird part of the season to be focusing on him - normally you'd get one episode about each of the Big Three along these lines (although Kevin says he doesn't focus on what life would have been like if Jack had lived). That said, it had its moments.

I'm not convinced that Randall begging his mom to go into the trial was real - I'm 50/50. If it was real, what a weaselly and selfish thing to do. I can see how that will cause a huge rift within the whole family. If I'm Kevin and Miguel, I'd be absolutely furious.

The alternate Peasron family reality with bitter, alcoholic Jack, and a desperately trying to keep it together Rebecca was very well done and really believable.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think jack would have stayed mad at Rebecca though.

[Anonymous]

Thinking about the flash forwards and what happened in this episode.

The flash forward to about a year from now where Rebecca gets lost in town and brought back to the cabin by police-- Perhaps she does NOT do the study and that's why she's at the cabin. Wasn't it supposed to last for nine months? Or she did it, but it did not work.

The flash forward that is several years from now and she's on her death bed might suggest that she did the study and it bought her some time. I've always thought that it seemed pretty far into the future for her to still be lingering around. Kevin's son looks to be at least 8 or 9.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did anyone see last nights episode? Do we feel for Randall or hate him even more? I can’t decide. Also they shouted scenes from the finale. Looks intense.

I kinda hate him right now. He is jealous that Rebecca is spending time with her other kids. This is not about not losing her, this is about his need to be her only special little boy.

[Anonymous]

Last nights episode is one that I could have skipped. Better make up for it next week.