Pushing the Limits: High Potential "Dirty Rotten Scoundrel"

 

This week's episode of High Potential has Morgan and Karadec pushing each others buttons but will they solve the murder? Here's a recap. 

This Is Us: Quick Recap and Final Thoughts Before Series Finale

We're just hours away from the end of an era when the series finale of This Is Us airs. While I haven't been writing a recap/review of the episodes this season, I thought this would be the perfect time to write a quick recap and final thoughts. Here we go!

Bonding and Reflecting: This Is Us "Both Things Can Be True"/Brotherly Love"

 

"Both Things Can Be True"

While Kevin tries to send a message to Randall about being his best man, Miguel and Nicky are set to plan for the rehearsal dinner. That is until Nicky tries to go against everything Miguel has offered. That's because of how Nicky thought of Miguel married to Jack's wife. 

But Miguel tells him that he didn't jump to Rebecca's side after Jack died and that his opinion doesn't mean anything to him. We see in a flashback when Jack was planning to propose to Rebecca with the help of Miguel. While the ring got stuck on Miguel's finger, Rebecca's dad, who came over to somewhat give Jack his blessing, helped them get it off Miguel's finger. That was after Miguel stood up against Rebecca's dad after his so-called approval.

Meanwhile, Kate began her new job as a teaching assistant but had some trouble focusing on work and showed the class teacher that she could do the job after he told her that she wasn't his first or second choice. And Beth, who prepares for Tess and Alex's studying, has trouble adjusting to their relationship, even after seeing them kiss in Tess's room. 

After spending the day trying to figure out what to say to Randall, Kevin calls him and asks if he would be his best man at his wedding. But he also tells him that he wants to come up and talk about their last argument. 

"Both Things Can Be True" was a fantastic episode. I loved the Beth-Tess story in this episode because it gave Beth and Carol a great moment to let go of what mothers have planned for their children. And the Miguel flashback was so good that it even tied up with the present day with Miguel and Nicky. Overall, I give this episode an 8.5/10.

"Brotherly Love"

Kevin and Randall discuss their fight and Randall's racial insensitivities growing up. But as things take a turn, they get locked out of Randall's house and go to a neighbor for a spear key. 

We see not one but two flashbacks in this episode, one that takes place when Jack had the weekend with Randall and Kevin and gets tickets to take them to see a live taping of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. The other occurred when Kevin lived in Los Angeles and Randall visited for a college event. Kevin tries to show Randall a fun night, but Randall sees the struggle that Kevin has been dealing with as an actor. 

While the two didn't fix everything, they did improve enough that things looked okay with the two.

"Brotherly Love" might be my favorite episode of the season. I love watching these two characters bond together, whether in tough times, fun times, or emotional times. I was satisfied with how the episode ended. Overall, I give this episode a 9/10.

You can catch This Is Us on Tuesdays at 9/8c on NBC.

The Trip: This Is Us "There"

 

With Madison going into labor, will Kevin get there in time with her? 

This Is Us "A Long Road Home"/""Birth Mother"

 

"A Long Road Home" 

While Kate and Toby visit her ex-boyfriend, we revisit the 18-year-old Kate when she's planning to get an abortion. During the mandatory waiting period, she sees Marc, but after hearing him apologize, he's still the same person and decides to leave and have the abortion. Meanwhile, in the present, Kate visits Marc, who's not doing too well, and tells him that he hurt her, but she's happy now with what she's got with her family and leaves, driving off with Toby. 

Randall and Beth try to figure out whether or not a stranger (Hai) knows his biological mother, as said in a letter. After figuring things out and talking to Kevin, Randall, and Beth called Hai and chatted and even planned a visit to meet with him.

Kevin learned that his film will be relocated shortly, close to Madison's due date. Kevin revisited when Randall called to tell him he should leave Sophie after meeting a talent agent. Kevin calls Randall, and while they talk, they make their peace. 

This was a great episode from beginning to end, with great performances from Chrissy Metz and Hannah Zeile. That moment when Metz's Kate meets with Marc for the first time in years and returns the disease" that he left with her (the pain). That was a powerful and applause-worthy performance. The Kevin and Randall scene when they made their peace was a bit short, but after watching it for the second time, I loved it, and it had me grabbing the tissues. 

Overall, I give this episode an 8.5/10.

"Birth Mother"

Beth and Randall travel to Louisiana, where they meet Hai and listen to the story of Randall's birth mother. The first 

I love this episode! This episode will probably be my favorite of the season so far. This episode was well-written, with well-developed characters, and the performances were from Sterling K. Brown, Jennifer C. Holmes, and Angela Gibbs. 

This episode is worthy of an Emmy nomination for writing and performance. If you haven't watched this episode, please do so. 

What did you think of these episodes? Leave a comment below!

This Is Us returns Tuesday, Feb. 9th at 9/8c on NBC.

Family: FBI: Most Wanted "Rampage" Season Premiere

 The season premiere of FBI Most Wanted can be about one thing for Agent LaCroix, and that is family. 

I thought that the season premiere this week was good, with LaCroix, his daughter, and his family meeting his dad and an uninvited guest to stay for the weekend or so. While LaCroix's drama had just begun, a massive shooting in different spots had got him and his team on the hunt. 

The team later finds out that one of the shooters happens to be someone who hasn't had a good life with the death of his mother, abusive father, and the love of art that he loves. LaCroix and the team find out that he's working with someone manipulating the kid to help him shoot people who have done wrong to them, from rich people to even the guy's ex-wife. 

LaCroix and the team send a message out to the kid by using his art teacher, whom he admires. Later, as they find the van used in the shooting and find the shooter but not the kid, LaCroix knows where he might be: his mother's grave site. That's when LaCroix talked him down and took him in. 

After all that, LaCroix has a family dinner with his father and the rest. But he tries to pick at him for gambling when he last attends a meeting. It goes back and forth until his father's friend stops the conversation and gets LaCroix's dad to tell him the news: they're getting married. Yikes!!!

I thought that"Rampage" was an excellent episode. I felt that the kid's character development was so good and showed who he was and the whole meaning of what had turned this kid into being a part of such a thing. Terry O'Quinn's appearance splashes in the season premiere as LaCroix's father.  I can't wait to see what comes next! 

Overall, the episode kept me on my toes throughout the show. So, I give this episode a 9/10.

What did you think of the episode? Leave a comment below!

Follow me on Twitter: @abaker20

You can catch FBI Most Wanted Tuesdays at 10/9c on CBS.

This Is Us "Honestly" Preview

Here's a preview of tonight's episode of This Is Us titled, "Honestly."

"Honestly"

Malik shadows Randall at work. Kevin struggles to connect with his new director and Jack and Rebecca struggle to sleep train their babies.

Photos:

Clips:

What are your thoughts on tonight's new episode? Excited to see what happens next? Leave a comment!

Catch up with recaps!

You can catch This Is Us Tonight at 9/8c on NBC.

 

Open Up and Connect: This Is Us "Changes"

Last week's episode of This Is Us was as good once again. Here are my thoughts!

"Changes" was a very good episode that had a ton of great moments that dealt with the characters' mental and physical health in a way. 

Randall as he looks for a new therapist, a couple didn't fit right with him, maybe because they were too hands-on but that was until he found the right one that he could probably play to him. His therapist gives him the assignment to write something down that no one knows about and tell it in his next session; well from the end of the episode, we see him writing down (which we see in a flashback) about a time when Kate's friend wanted to kiss him but back away but when he was done writing it he sits the book down next to another book which could only mean that he's going to be doing what he's been doing on trying to get better by himself. 

Kate and Toby got to meet with the parent given her baby up for adoption. The three hit it off so well with pop cultural connections from the Buffy tv series to Ghostbusters and more. We learn that she lost her husband to cancer and that the child she's convinced happened when she had a night out. As things had to cut short, Kate and Toby give her a lift but also catch them arguing about diapers but I don't think the mother would hold that against them. I don't see anything wrong as I think this story will go well. 

Meanwhile, Kevin and Madison deal with they don't know one another and their demons like for Madison and her eat disorder. But Kevin talks to her about how he too has demons of working out too much, daddy issues, and is a recovering alcoholic, and soon the two connect and pretty much moved forward on. I think this was probably my favorite storyline in this episode as two people who about to have two babies to connect with each other. 

Randall and Beth deal with how Tess had a viral video with her friend telling their teacher to not call them a certain gender or touch their hair. Beth and Randall didn't take it too well and soon Randall lays down the punishment to Tess that didn't go well but what she did wasn't the right way to handle things anything to their knowledge. It wasn't the best storyline in this episode but it had some good moments like Randall talking to Tess before handing her punishment. 

And the mystery as the episode began with a grandfather and granddaughter fishing. Who are they and what makes them connect with the story; it just so happens that the man is with Randall's biological mother. 

I enjoyed this episode and while it might not live up to the premiere, the episode had so many good moments. For now, I thought that Justin Harley gave a very good performance in this episode. Serling K. Brown gives another awesome performance. The writing was so good once again and that mystery family was such an intriguing story to see who they're connected to. Overall, I give this episode a 9/10. 

What did you think of last week's episode? Leave a comment below! 

You can catch This Is Us Tonight at 9/8c on NBC.

Together: This Is Us 'Forty, Part 1 & 2" Season Premiere

 

The season premiere of This Is Us delivered a jam-packed premiere with a ton of high emotional moments that were both up and down but left us with a surprising moment. Here's a recap! 

The episode doesn't waste time introducing the COVID-19 storyline and George Floyd news as they address that within the first five to ten minutes of the episode. Kevin breaks the news to Kate and Toby about Madison pregnant with twins and that he's the father and after a scare when Madison had an accident they learn that their babies are okay and they're having a boy and girl. 

We come to the point in time where Rebecca had her episode but learned that she had a reaction to the medication that was mixed in her system. Toby and Kate got a match for their adoption process. 

Randall is trying to figure out what to do after the news of George Floyd with his family and his mental health. After talking to Malik and seeing Rebecca that he's going to make some changes and seeing a black therapist instead of the therapist he's been seeing. But he questions whether if he was born the same day as Kate and Kevin; thinking that it was impossible. 

We see a flashback of William and Randall's birth mother, Laurel, who was planning nothing but the best for their child. That is until the day Randall was born in their apartment and she needed something to take the pain away with heroin.  Soon William finds her not responsive and when the paramedics pronounced her, he left but not realizing that Laurel would be revived. 

"Forty" was such an amazing episode, as it had tear-jerking moment after tear-jerking moment. The writing was so powerful with strong character developments with William, Randall, Laurel, and even Rebecca. Not to mention Jack as well, with that moment in the chapel and calling his father. And that final moment was such a shocker! The cast gives an excellent performance once again. Overall, I give these episodes 9.5/10.

What did you think of the season premiere? Leave a comment below!

You can catch This Is Us Tuesdays at 9/8c on NBC.

This Is Us Season 5 (Full)Trailer

 

We're just over one week away from the season five premiere of This Is Us. 

We've been waiting for this for the last six months to see where this season will go after that powerful season four finale. Where do Kevin and Randall go from here after that big fight? How will the show deal with COVID-19 and the events that had to happen this summer like George Floyd/Breonna Taylor?

There's a new full trailer that's been released. Here's the trailer:

 I wonder what Randall will say to Kevin at the cabin. That could just be him about to take Rebecca to that new test trial in Missouri. 

What do you think of the trailer? Leave your comment. 

You can catch the two-hour season premiere of This Is Us Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 9/8c on NBC. 

Changes to Come: This Is Us "Strangers, Part 2" Season Finale

The season finale of This Is Us gave us a whole of to take in but some much-needed comfort as well. Here's a recap!

"Strangers, Part 2" was a jammed-packed season finale that gave us a lot of taking in but let us feeling all right when it comes to a nice ending. We meet a few new characters that'll play a huge part in the next season. We see the present family celebrating baby Jack's first birthday with the announcement of Rebecca doing the study trials. Of course, that doesn't sit well Kevin who learns that Randall talked Rebecca into doing it. It sets up this argument scene in the yard that's just heart-pounding.

Meanwhile, a grown-up baby Jack and his wife meet their baby girl along with a family member that we learn to be his baby sister. In the pre

And as Kevin deals with Randall, he gets news that is unexpected. Madison is pregnant with his child and it's twins; a boy and a girl. While Uncle Nicky texts Kevin of his one-year celebration, we see Cassidy making a visit. As we get to the future of what looks to be the series finale, we see Kevin and Randall reunite in a forgiven way and Uncle Nicky with a ring on his finger.

This was an overwhelming season finale with moments of happiness and heavy emotions. While everyone had so many good moments, Sterling K. Brown and Justin Hartley were amazingly awesome in this episode. That yard scene was my favorite of this episode and come to found out that it only took one take to film that. Holy crap!

Now let me get this thought out of the way, we know that Madison is pregnant and it's a bit miracle for her; but what are the chances that she doesn't make it to the series finale and we see Kevin married to someone else like Cassidey or Sophie? Also since we haven't seen Kate in the future, where is she? She couldn't be that late to get thee as Kevin was the last one to get there, right?

Some many questions going into next season and the final season. This is going to be fun thinking about how next season will play out.

Overall, I give this episode a 9.5/10.

What did you think of the season four finale? Leave your comment below and tell us your thoughts.

You can catch This Is Us available on the NBC app, NBC.com, and new season this fall (if we get a fall premiere).

What If...This Is Us "After The Fire"

After a powerful episode last week, This Is Us hits us with another powerful episode that could be it's the best episode this season. Here's a recap!

After a few weeks after the events of last week's episode, Randall goes back to see the therapist about his idea of what if he could have saved Jack from death what would that be. With two different stories, one being too perfect with both Jack and William still alive; as for the other being totally different but all have something in common; he hasn't forgiven his mother about William.

After a long therapy session, Randall talks to Beth and tells her what he acknowledges the problem. He later calls Rebecca and tells gives her an emotional speech about starting the trial. After that, she agrees to do it for him.

"After the Fire" was such an emotional episode with a strong performance from Sterling K. Brown and Pamela Adlon. I not only believe that they will get Emmy nominations for this episode but also win as well. The episode gives such a strong character development for Randall with his "What If" scenarios about saving his family. And that moment he calls Rebecca had me in tears from then on out. Next week's the season finale and from the promo, get ready for some heavy emotional stuff. Overall, I give this episode a 9.5/10.

You can catch the season finale of This Is Us Tuesday at 9/8c on NBC.

Reflection of Life and Art: This Is Us ""New York, New York, New York"

After a week off, This Is Us returns with another powerful and moving episode.

"New York, New York, New York," tells of a such a moving story of Rebecca as we see three different stories past and present. We see Rebecca Jack and the big three going to New York City for the day, but after a few delays, everyone got to see what they wanted except for Rebecca, who missed out visiting a museum.

Another would be when Rebecca, Randall, and Beth visit Kevin and Sophie in New York City to see Kevin's show. Kevin takes everyone for pizza and tries to introduce his teacher to Rebecca, trying to maybe set them up. Even Rebecca does go out with that guy, she didn't get to see the museum that she tried to go see when she remembers a moment when she, Jack and the family rode in a horse carriage.

The present: Randall has found a place where Rebecca can go for her condition and gets Kevin and Kate's approval to back him up. But when Kevin takes Rebecca to the red carpet of his premiere, Kevin wants to hold back but Randall tells her anyway and upsets her.

As Rebecca walks off, Kevin and Randall find her at the museum where she has always wanted to go since she was a child to look at a painting that she describes. She tells them that she doesn't want to go for that trial and wants to live out her life to the fullest with her family. But they leave, Kevin tells Randall that she wants what she wants but Randall thinks that she's doing this because she's scared and tells Kevin that he's been living a "what if" in his head every day since that fire. Next week's episode will be a "what if" Jack lived after that fire.

This was an amazing episode from start to finish, probably one of the best episodes of the season that gave us a lot to take in. As a caretaker for a relative for 10 years, this episode hits a bit close to home just a little. I can see that if Kevin could just use the right words towards Randall that they could be on board with each other. Both have different opinions towards this situation and while I think Randall's belief is correct; I lean towards Kevin's belief as he respects his mother's decision.

Mandy Moore gives her best performance in this episode. But it was that moment when Kevin and Randall found Rebecca at the museum and she describes the meaning of the painting. When the camera is at Rebecca's face as she describes the meaning of the painting, it not only gave goosebumps and a tearful moment, but from that point understand that her decision to not take the drug trial was a meaningful one and it's a decision that she finally makes. If Mandy Moore doesn't get an Emmy nomination or a win for that matter something is deadly wrong.

Overall, I give this episode a 9.5/10.

You can catch This Is Us Tuesdays at 9/8c on NBC.

Music Therapy Session: This Is Us "Clouds"

The therapy session will begin...

This week's episode of This Is Us was another powerful and emotional episode with Sterling K. Brown given another startling performance; as Randall begins his first therapy session that didn't go so well, but the ending will put a smile on your face. Not to mention we get to learn about how Randall made running his therapy.

Toby apologizes to Kate for what he had done; tries to show her his affection with a planned out music studio in the garage. After having brunch with Maidson, Kate forgives her for sleeping with Kevin and takes her advice and accepts Toby's apologie. In the end, we see the future of how the studio will be used for baby Jack.

Kevin spends the day with Rebecca before her doctor's appointment; from record shopping to hunting down for Jodi Mitchell's childhood home. While on the hunt for Jodi Michell's home, we see a flashback of when Rebecca and Kevin spent one day together looking for a baseball card that Kevin needed for his collection. In the end, Rebecca learns that she's got early set Alzheimers; but she tells Kevin to never act differently towards her but make he day fun and exciting like Matt Damon taking her mother to movie premieres.

"Clouds" was such a great episode. This episode was so brilliantly written and performed by the cast that it took my breath away. It was brilliant of keeping the identity of the therapist hidden throughout the episode and kept the camera on Sterling as he shines. While Randall and Kate's stories were so good, Kevin and Rebecca felt like the most emotionally uplifting story of the episode as they bonded before getting that heartbreaking news. And that ending when Randall goes back to the therapy, we got to see the therapist played by Pamela Adlon.  Overall, I give this episode a 10/10.

You can catch This Is Us as they return March 10th at 9/8c on NBC!

Love All Around: This Is Us "A Hell of a Week, Part 3"/"The Cabin"

"A Hell of a Week, Part 3"

Is Kate and Toy's marriage in turmoil? Here a recap to the conclusion to this season's big three trilogy.

As we pick off to a young sleepless Kate wakes up Jack; the two tell a bedtime story together in like a princess and her prince type of story. While telling the story, we see a teenage Kate dealing with her boyfriend's mix emotions and her taking so much crap from him, but even though Rebecca worries about her, Kate still loves the guy and decides to go to the family cabin.

Meanwhile in the present, as Kate prepares for the family trip to a retreat for parents whose kids have a disability; but Toby is looking up information about how a kid had gotten 30 percent of her sight back. Toby doesn't go but Rebecca goes with Kate and the two have a mother/daughter time that broke the barrier even more as the two grew more and more. Even Rebecca tells Kate what's been going on with her. All in all, after an excellent weekend, Kate tells Toby that she needs him to be the man that he needs to be with her and their son.

That's when the phone from Kevin and Randall came and the three plan to go to the family cabin after a week that they just had. And as Kate tells Toby what she's going to do; he tells her that he'll watch Jack for the weekend.

"A Hell of a Weel, Part 3" was a very good episode. I couldn't get enough of the Rebecca and Kate dynamics whether it's the past or the present. But I think the present scenes like when they were in the pool were probably my favorite; the karaoke scene just made me put me in happy tears. The writing was so good with such strong character developments; the performances from Chrissy Metz and Mandy Moore were amazing! Overall, I give this episode a 9/10.

"The Cabin"

This was the episode that really got me grabbing the tissues.

Let me just get this out of the way, so I can just tell you how much you should watch this episode. In this episode, Kate, Kevin, and Randall join each other at the family cabin; they learn of each other's problems and learn from it, even Kevin gets in the loop about what's going on with Rebecca. 

Meanwhile, Toby and baby Jack are hanging out and while things are going good, Toby gets a scare moment. And Rebecca, Kevin and Randall help save teenage Kate from her abusive boyfriend.
The Big Three get a jolt of life back when they dig up their time capsule that Jack had them do back in 1993. But it was in it that things really got going with a message from Jack that gave everyone hope and an idea that leads us back in the future tense.

"The Cabin" might be my favorite episode of the season so far. It's much from the past storyline the family confronting the boyfriend, which was good; but it wasn't like watching, Sterling, Justin, and Chrissy just take control of each scene with grace and power. Even the scenes with Jack and Rebecca were as good too. But it was that last few minutes when the three was listening to a tape from Jack that really had me grabbing the tissues more and more as the scene played out and the promo came on. If that scene doesn't get you or motivate you, I don't know what to say to you. Overall, I give this episode a 9.5/10.

What did you think of the episodes? Leave a comment and tell us your thoughts!

You can catch This Is Us Tuesdays at 9/8c on NBC.

"Let Go" This Is Us "A Hell of a Week, Part 2"

Part Two of the Big Three Trilogy takes a look at Kevin as he tries to learn whether he should go back or need to go to move forward.

"A Hell of a Week, Part 2" starts off where we left off in the previous episode with a young Kevin telling Jack that he couldn't sleep due to a mobile that Rebecca has donated. Jack tells Kevin that something that's lost that he loves could always find something else to love. And that was the message throughout the episode for Kevin. As Kevin goes back home to pay respect to Sophie's mother, who had passed. Through flashbacks, we see how the two might have loved each other but Kevin was a bit much self-centered. 

As Kevin meets Sophie at the funeral, the two drive off, eating their favorite donuts. Sophie couldn't handle the pressure from the funeral and asked Kevin to take her somewhere. That place would be the campsite where they went after seeing a movie ("Good Will Hunting") that had been ruined. The two promised not to watch the ending because their way of the ending would be what they make of it. But coming to the present day, the two finally watched the entire movie; but as Sophie was ready to go back and drops her off, Kevin sees Sophie's mother's grave and talks. But in the end, he let Sophie go and headed over to Kate and Toby's place to find them gone and seeing Madison; the two talked and that's who we see Kevin sleeping with when he gets a call from Randall.

As the two talks, they need to get away and they include Kate, who believes her marriage is ending. The three agree to head to the family cabin and into Part 3 where it's Kate's turn.

"A Hell of a Week, Part 2", was another powerful episode in this trilogy and the season. Justin Hartley gives his best performance and Alexandra Breckenridge was at her best as well. The story was well-written with strong character development. It was such a tear-jerking moment when Kevin lets Sophie go. As much as I want to keep believing that Kevin and Sophie would end up together in the end; the way this episode showed with the quote from Jack; how something we love that's gone we could find something else to love again. That hit me hard. Overall, I give this episode a 9/10.

You can catch This Is Us tonight at 9/8c on NBC.

Need to Talk:This Is Us "A Hell of A Week, Part 1"

This starts the first of the Big Three Trilogy with another powerful story. Here's a recap!!

In this another installment of the Big Three Trilogy; we start off with Randall as we pick up from the moment the previous episode ended when Randall face to face with a burglar in the house that started to relive his past once again.

After Randall stands his ground and offers the burglar his money; the guy ran off and we start to see Randall become unhinged when it comes to protecting his family and the fear that comes to it. After placing home security, it takes a real toll on him that it even takes him away from his job; as the city council and the talk about the big bill that the residents have big concerns.

Randall gets a call from Kevin, who's in Pittsburgh to visit Sophie as her father past away; but Randall doesn't tell him about what had happened. Night terrors start to come back and we see how after Jack's death that these night terrors started and continued throughout his life even when meeting Beth. After taking his run, Randall stops a robber from stealing from a lady and kicks the shit out of him. When he returns to work as a hero, he runs back home as it took much and later calls Kevin to tell him that he wasn't okay and tells him about what had happened and needed a talk.

This episode was so powerful and truthful about not only fear can conquer us but that it's okay to talk about anything Sterling K. Brown gives such a strong performance in this episode along with the actors that played the young and college Randall. The writing was strong and had so much character development. It does leave to preview of what to expect in the next two episodes; with Kevin meeting Sophie and Kate's history with the so-called boyfriend that ended with a shocking cliffhanger in this episode. Overall, I give this episode a 9.5/10.

You can catch This Is Us tonight at 9/8c on NBC.

The Path: This Is Us "Lights and Shadows" Winter Premiere

This Is Us returns with a winter premiere that was full of powerful emotions. Here's a recap!

After the fall finale, we see our characters going through the stuff that we were expected to see. Randall trying to get an appointment for Rebecca during the holidays; Kate confronts Toby about his text messaging with another woman and Kevin trying the online dating world.

Coming in the new year, Rebecca gets an appointment and does some memory tests; but while doing those tests we see how she fought to stay with Jack. Randall and Miguel argue over about the situation and after learning that there could be something going on with Rebecca the two put their feelings aside and focused on Rebecca.

Kate is about to throw a surprise birthday for Tobey and can't wait to meet the lady from his Zumba class. As she works and worries, it turns out that during the party she wasn't there and that Tobey has switched to a different class group. After Tobey tells Kate why he switched classes and the reason he didn't tell her as Kate gives him his gift of a vacation retreat that helps with parents for blind children. But in the end, they have a moment when baby Jack sees the pineapple lights really spark the love back with one another.

Kevin tries to get in the online dating world and it's not going so good. After a few bombs, Kevin decides to stop and late the universe take it from there; until he meets this woman at the coffee shop. He confronts her and the two talk and after sparks really fly with one another the two go out on a date with John Legend performing for them. It all stopped after learning she's married and this was just a hall pass. But as Kevin goes back to work he gets a call from Sophie.

As Randall comes back home seeing him look at his girls and later kiss Beth; he goes downstairs and sees a burglar and we leave the episode like that.

"Lights and Shadows" was such an amazing and powerful episode that had such rich and emotional moments.  The Rebecca story was so damn good and one of my favorite performances from Mandy Moore so far. Kate and Toby were good as well; while I was convinced that Sophia Bush could be the woman for Kevin; I'm still hoping for him to get back with Sophie. It has to be that Kevin and Sophie will get back together and have that child that he wants. Strong writing with strong character growth in this episode. Overall, I give this episode a 9/10.

You can catch This Is Us Tuesdays at 9/8c on NBC.

Help! This Is Us "So Long, Marianne" Fall Finale

It's another Thanksgiving episode with the Pearsons, you know there will be a lot of cry time in this episode. Here's a recap!

It's Thanksgiving and as the Pearson family prepares for their holiday tradition; Deja and her mother reunited, but with how well Deja's mother has been with work and hanging out with friends it upsets Deja to the point that why couldn't she had been like that with her. But the upside she forgave and enjoyed her mother's presence.

Toby gets a truth bomb about baby Jack's first solid food (for which I have no clue why tell him) that didn't go so well. Even though that upset Toby, Kate was mainly upset about how Toby has changed since doing CrossFit classes. After talking to Beth about it, she was going to tell him how she feels; but instead wished him happy Thanksgiving and proceed on but reads a text message from what seems to be a lady in Toby's class. Uh Oh!
Randall takes Anne and Nicky on a road trip to the old house to get the Pearson Family Thanksgiving traditions and while getting it; there happens to be a collection of CDs. One of the music playings happens to be a song called "So Long, Marianne" that Nicky got emotional; because it brought memories back to when he and Jack celebrated Thanksgiving together. As they got back Nicky had Randall make a stop to get some stuff to make a shrimp plate; that is now added to the family tradition, which a grownup baby Jack displays for his family Thanksgiving.

Kevin helps with Tess' problem of how to come out in public. As they went for a Thanksgiving pre snack; they stopped at a fast food joint and he advises her to use the drive-thru intercom to come out and once she did it was all good that even she posted her celebrity crush; which got a ton of likes. Even after Nicky's speech, he tells Kevin that it's time for him to move back and if they needed each other that they would call. Kevin was thinking of living in a smaller environment.

I know that we all be worried about since the last episode is about Rebecca. While Randall tries to apologize to her for his concern. She decides to go out for a walk to see a movie, but as we see her go out it turns out to be a flashback to what's to come in the nine months. We see her lose her way around the town, forgot her phone, and couldn't find her credit card. She then ended up being dropped off at the cabin by police; where we see Kevin, Kate, and Miguel celebrating their 40th birthday, without Randall due to a fight.

But when we come back to the present time; we see Rebecca back at Randall's house with a bake good and tells him that when she went to see a movie she couldn't remember what movie she was seeing during a trailer for Cats. But she admits to him that she needs to see someone.

"So Long, Marianne" was such an emotionally powerful episode; that really plays to your heartstrings like all of the holiday episodes from this series. This one really hit hard with me due to the fact that I've seen how people are with either Alzheimer's and dementia due to seeing my mother take care of patients at nursing homes and me being a homecare aide that we have to learn the signs of these diseases. I think we're going to see Mandy Moore give some of the best performance this season and beyond because after the fall finale I thought she really played the character so well. Also, I thought that Griffin Dunne gives another strong performance as well. This episode was not only written well but had so much strong character development that it was done so well. Overall, I give this episode a 9.5/10.

You can catch This Is Us returns on Tuesday, Jan. 14th at 9/8c on NBC.

Around the Dinner Table: This Is Us "Storybook Love"

Sometimes things don't always work out but they can be the most memorable. Here's a recap.

While Kevin tries his best with Cassidy and her husband, he learns that Cassidy's husband still loves her; but wants her before going into the army. Kevin and Nicky get to have a bond moment that involves what each of their fathers did with them, cut a slice of ice cream in the box.

Randall and Beth deal with Tess, who suffered from a panic attack. Randall tries to help her by telling how he handles it, but she doesn't want to listen to him. Beth remembers to what William told her about how he felt bad passing the panic attacks to Randall and remembered a relief that he used that she too used on Randall and Tess. And Tess tells Randall and Beth what had happened a week or so ago.

Kate is trying to figure out what the gift that Kevin and Randall got her. Thinking that it was Rebecca coming, turns out to be a blast from the past the piano that Rebecca had at their new home after Jack died. Under the seat happen to be music sheets with photos of them during that dinner and talked about Kate's boyfriend/boss.
As Rebecca and Kate move to a new home where they decide to through a dinner party for the two newlyweds Kevin and Sophie. But the dinner doesn't go so well and Rebecca took a stand and finally yells at both Kate, Kevin, and Randall to act up and enjoy the uncooked hens. After Rebecca talks about how she and Jack in their first home tried to make the perfect dinner; but it just went completely wrong but it was perfect because it was memorable.

"Storybook Love" was another excellent episode with strong character development and performances from the cast. Mandy Moore gives a standout performance during the dinner scene with the kids and Miguel. Nicky and Kevin's story was so good, but it was the end where Nicky asked Kevin about to have a slice of icebox ice cream. I do kind of wonder where this thing with Kevin and Cassidy will go, but I think he's to serve a purpose to help with her marriage. Randall/Beth/Tess was another powerful story and that method that William gave Beth is something that I might want to try. Strong writing and plot. Overall, I give this episode a 9/10.

You can catch This Is Us Tuesdays at 9/8c on NBC.