This Is Us- Season 3

[AustinTink]

It was slow, but that's how hospital waiting rooms are. If you've ever been in that situation, this episode made total sense. Realistic writing.

 

[AustinTink]

Also, I think they're giving us clues about Rebecca. She's showing signs of fading.

 

[bethbuchall]

It was slow, but that's how hospital waiting rooms are. If you've ever been in that situation, this episode made total sense. Realistic writing.

I agree. I’ve said before that this show is more character-driven than plot-driven which means that it’s not going to appeal to everyone and seem slow some weeks. I enjoy seeing what makes the characters tick and getting little insights into their thoughts, lives, personalities.

I think Beth and Randall are going to be fine and stay together. I didn’t get the same read from the jump ahead that many others did. But maybe it’s just wishful thinking.

Rebecca was so reliving that night with Jack, and no one was tuning into that except Miguel. The Pearsons all have a tendency towards self-interest. It doesn’t mean that they can’t love others and be considerate, but stress really emphasizes how they need to control their worlds regardless of those they love. They’re not bad people, just imperfect humans. And sometimes they need a little sense knocked into their thick skulls.

I know it’s a realistic portrayal, but I do hope Kevin doesn’t stay in this state too long or need to fully hit rock bottom again. (But that’s purely selfish because I hate watching addiction. Dr. Carter’s addiction on ER and Dr. House were becoming painful to watch. I like Kevin now, and I don’t want to start hating him again.)

 

[kimblebee]

I feel like we were watching different episodes!

For me, this is by FAR the best episode of this series. I felt like I hardly breathed through that whole hour. I felt like I was right there waiting with them. They were so real, their arguments and moments of quiet then switching to fighting and nit picking. I was so involved that I forgot to do my usual live commentary. It would have broken up the tenseness of the episode though. I started crying when Toby came out and said ‘he’s here’ and switched to an ugly cry when they named him Jack. I know we all assumed it, but it was overwhelming to be in that moment.

How awful that Kevin is lying to everyone and is still drinking.

And I think the answer to the question is spaghetti and meatballs.

ETA- I’m sure there were errors, like there are in all shows, and I usually let them slide but there’s no way they would let a doll inside the incubator would they? I would think they’d be way too worried about germs at that early age.

 

[anniemae]

It was good, but not my favorite. I was wondering at the end if Zoe was lying about Kevin drinking vodka in his water bottle. I think she wanted to bolt, as Beth said, this is what she does when things get bumpy. I think it was an excuse so Beth wouldn't blame her if she left. Especially since Beth kept commenting how proud she was that Zoe was sticking around.

At first I thought, like a pp, that they were showing signs of Rebecca having health issues i.e. her confusion, dazing out, zoning out etc. But I am wondering if it was just her re-living that awful night in the hospital with Jack, and the memories flooding her.

Kind of feel bad for Miguel, he will never be a Pearson. Also felt bad for Madison. She has been a support for Kate and they were kind of mean to her, except for Miguel.

 

[bethbuchall]

I agreed that it was a “slow” episode, but I loved it. I prefer the “slow” episodes when we get into the characters.

I couldn’t play the game because I’m not sure there’s anything made better with ranch, and I don’t like many fruits with chocolate (though I’m expanding that list as I age).

 

[SC Minnie]

When Kevin went to the desk to talk to the nurse Zoe took a drink out of his water bottle. The look on her face said it all. I knew then there was vodka in the bottle.

I felt like they were showing us Rebecca's decline into dementia. Beth saw it too but it was like Randall didn't want to admit it. I think Miguel sees it too and is trying to 'cover up' or help Rebecca so she doesn't get agitated.

In the previews seeing Toby's reaction to the Dr/nurse taking blood from the baby was gut wrenching.

 

[anniemae]

When Kevin when to the desk to talk to the nurse Zoe took a drink out of his water bottle. The look on her face said it all. I knew then there was vodka in the bottle.

I felt like they were showing us Rebecca's decline into dementia. Beth saw it too but it was like Randall didn't want to admit it. I think Miguel sees it too and is trying to 'cover up' or help Rebecca so she doesn't get agitated.

In the previews seeing Toby's reaction to the Dr/nurse taking blood from the baby was gut wrenching.

Ahhhhh, I must have missed that tidbit about Zoe. Makes sense.

I also thought Miguel was covering for Rebecca. First when Beth snapped at him for speaking for her, then when he told Kevin (or maybe it was Randall) to back off.

 

[piglet1979]

ETA- I’m sure there were errors, like there are in all shows, and I usually let them slide but there’s no way they would let a doll inside the incubator would they? I would think they’d be way too worried about germs at that early age.

They could. I haven't watched the episode yet so I don't know what kind of doll it was. When my nephew was born 9 weeks early they gave my brother and sister in law a small stuffed animal that they were supposed to hold onto their skin. This would then have there smell and then they would put it in the incubator so my nephew knew their smell. I think they said this helps the baby with bonding once the baby is able to be held.

 

[NAB]

I thought this was the beginning of Rebecca having something too.

I felt bad for friend too, she was there for Kate. Miguel was making some progress with them now he is on the outside again. I’m sure it will get worse if Rebecca gets sick.

Going to have to rewatch, I’m sure I missed stuff.

 

[Southernmiss]

They could. I haven't watched the episode yet so I don't know what kind of doll it was. When my nephew was born 9 weeks early they gave my brother and sister in law a small stuffed animal that they were supposed to hold onto their skin. This would then have there smell and then they would put it in the incubator so my nephew knew their smell. I think they said this helps the baby with bonding once the baby is able to be held.

It was a Ruth Bader Ginsberg doll-something Kate picked up. Not specifically because the baby was a premie.

When Kevin went to the desk to talk to the nurse Zoe took a drink out of his water bottle. The look on her face said it all. I knew then there was vodka in the bottle.

I felt like they were showing us Rebecca's decline into dementia. Beth saw it too but it was like Randall didn't want to admit it. I think Miguel sees it too and is trying to 'cover up' or help Rebecca so she doesn't get agitated.

In the previews seeing Toby's reaction to the Dr/nurse taking blood from the baby was gut wrenching.

Yes, I picked up on the Vodka in the bottle, too, when Zoe made tha face and told DH.

I can understand the relationship with the kids and Miguel and their mom. My mom remarried my dad's brother after my dad suddenly died at age 38. We've never really "warmed up" to him. He was always "that uncle" that we would avoid. So their relationship never set well with us even after all of these years. My uncle does seem to care for her and she for him and we are grateful for that, but we've had just a cordial relationship with him and that has also affected our closeness and our kid's relationships with our mom because he is always there.

Unfortunately, we always thought she "settled" and could have done better. We felt like he swooped in and took advantage of her emotionally (through frequent phone calls, as he was a thousand miles away) at a very vulnerable time after my father died.

 

[elgerber]

Yep, new instantly there would be vodka in the bottle, as soon as she picked it up, before she even drank. No other reason they would focus on her picking up the bottle.
Did they put RBC into the incubator? I saw her hold her up, but guess I was too busy wiping my eyes to notice that they put her in the incubator.
I did feel bad for Miguel, but the way they were all snapping at each other, I don't know that it will be that bad permanently. He was making strides with them before, I think this might have just been a stress filled temp issue.
I am not sure why no one stopped Kevin from being so mean to Madison. No one else seemed to agree with him, yet no one said anything to him, or her.

 

[kimblebee]

See, I didn’t see Rebecca being confused as the start of any health issue. I saw it as the wear and tear on a mom who had been awake for 26+ hours at that point, worried sick about her daughter and grandson, and reliving the worst night of her life.

 

[anniemae]

Y
I am not sure why no one stopped Kevin from being so mean to Madison. No one else seemed to agree with him, yet no one said anything to him, or her.

I thought the same thing!!! Someone should have spoken up and said, "Enough Kevin. Madison can stay as long as she wants." But nobody did. Instead they all looked uncomfortable and avoided eye contact, making Madison feel even more weird.

 

[Southernmiss]

Yep, new instantly there would be vodka in the bottle, as soon as she picked it up, before she even drank. No other reason they would focus on her picking up the bottle.
Did they put RBC into the incubator? I saw her hold her up, but guess I was too busy wiping my eyes to notice that they put her in the incubator.
I did feel bad for Miguel, but the way they were all snapping at each other, I don't know that it will be that bad permanently. He was making strides with them before, I think this might have just been a stress filled temp issue.
I am not sure why no one stopped Kevin from being so mean to Madison. No one else seemed to agree with him, yet no one said anything to him, or her.

DH and I talked about how Madison was just inserted into the situation and interrupted the flow of the family at that time. She had no idea of the tension in the room before she got there. But don't we have encounters like that IRL where we are intensely focused on a situation and then something happens to "throw off" the moment.

It was an understandably awkward situation. And was a "family moment". Don't we all have times when family moments are just that and it's not appropriate to have others there? Some people can't read a room and realize that they are interrupting something that's not their business. I would have agreed with Kevin.

It was nice of Madison to "pull strings" to get the RBG doll and bring it back.

 

[elgerber]

DH and I talked about how Madison was just inserted into the situation and interrupted the flow of the family at that time. She had no idea of the tension in the room before she got there. But don't we have encounters like that IRL where we are intensely focused on a situation and then something happens to "throw off" the moment.

It was an understandably awkward situation. And was a "family moment". Don't we all have times when family moments are just that and it's not appropriate to have others there? Some people can't read a room and realize that they are interrupting something that's not their business. I would have agreed with Kevin.

It was nice of Madison to "pull strings" to get the RBG doll and bring it back.

I get that maybe she shouldn't have been there, but a thank you for the donuts, we will tell Kate you were here and concerned, on her way out would have been nice.

 

[Southernmiss]

I get that maybe she shouldn't have been there, but a thank you for the donuts, we will tell Kate you were here and concerned, on her way out would have been nice.

Yes, it would have. But sometimes you are caught off guard and the right words don't come. I also think that's part of the "This is Us" Pearson family-- that they are each selfish and don't see the outsiders.

 

[anniemae]

Yes, it would have. But sometimes you are caught off guard and the right words don't come. I also think that's part of the "This is Us" Pearson family-- that they are each selfish and don't see the outsiders.

I get what you are saying, but I keep thinking of the fact that they were in a public waiting room. Anyone could come in and sit down, like the lady with the pretzels did. The waiting room was not reserved for the Pearsons. They had no right to kick people out IMO.

 

[Southernmiss]

I get what you are saying, but I keep thinking of the fact that they were in a public waiting room. Anyone could come in and sit down, like the lady with the pretzels did. The waiting room was not reserved for the Pearsons. They had no right to kick people out IMO.

Yes it is a public space, but it goes back to them seeing only the Big 3 and not others, no matter where they are. Focused on their problem(s) and not seeing that Madison was there as a friend to Kate, and seeing the pretzel lady (which was very funny by the way) who was happy about her 2 new grandbabies.

Madison also came in with a lot of talk (I saw your pictures of Viet Nam) and (I brought doughnuts, etc.) without noticing that there was something else going on in the room. She too in a way was all about the "I" (herself).

 

[bethbuchall]

I think that I may need a rewatch of this one. I definitely felt the first time through that Rebecca's mental issues all stemmed from the stress of being in a hospital waiting room again and being afraid to eat anything for fear that history would repeat itself. I thought that Miguel was intercepting because he sensed that she was back to losing Jack in her mind but the boys were too self-centered to realize it and that they may say something to make it worse. If she were in the early stages of dementia and Miguel knows it, would it make sense to move across the country to a completely unfamiliar area?

Have they said how far those jumps into the future were? If it's 20 years, then Randall would be late 50s and Rebecca would be late 80s. So, it wouldn't be completely out of the ordinary at that age for her not to be doing well physically/cognitively. It could be early dementia from some of the things that have happened or she just could be inside her own head a lot never fully recovering from the loss of Jack.