This Is Tears: This Is Us Double Episode Recap

So it’s about that time to talk about the one TV show that has all of America crying their eyes out every Tuesday (and this week Sunday too!). And not just a few glistening tears… I’m talking about full on ugly cry! It is safe to say that the writers of this show are pure geniuses because just when you think you are onto what is happening, YOU’RE WRONG!

It all started on Super Bowl Sunday. Yeah, you probably thought it was such a great night when you were rocking out to Justin Timberlake’s halftime performance and stuffing your face with nachos (not focusing on the actual football game of course…duh). That was all until the Eagles won their first ever Super Bowl and it was now time to channel into your favorite show (that is, if you were sober enough to tell the difference between teenage Kevin and adult Kevin). So the first image we see is that of daddy Pearson (and I mean daddy!) awake in the middle of the night. As you might remember from the ending of last week’s episode, the now infamous Crockpot was the cause behind the fire (like for real??). Unfortunately, we did not have time to emotionally prepare ourselves because they decided to jump right in with the long-awaited “fire scene.” We witness our glorious patriarch spring right into action saving each of his family members from this horrific accident. Unfortunately, nothing in TV land comes easily, and of course Jack had to go back inside to rescue Kate’s beloved dog (this one goes out to all the dog-lovers out there… you know who you are). But just when you think this is where it all ended for Jack Pearson, think again because you are wrong! He comes running out of the burning house (basically like the slow-motion Bay Watch run on the beach) with his luscious locks flowing. And not only does he come out with the little pooch, he comes out with a whole bag of goodies (aka family memories)! Once again, he just proves to America (alright… the women of America) that is he is the most magical man of all our dreams. Everything seems to be pretty good in Pittsburgh, besides their house being gone, they all, most importantly, are safe. That is until we remember that Kevin is M.I.A. This is no surprise at this point. This kid is basically just an angst teenager who yearns for some attention (seems more like a middle child than a first-born to me). As the episode moves on, we are still left wondering how the fire scene has ended and daddy Pearson is somehow still alive (but I’m not complaining). Just wait…

Now we relocate to the hospital. Jack and Rebecca continue to warm our hearts and make us realize that this Valentine’s Day, we still don’t have a relationship like theirs and probably never will. Suddenly, the minute Rebecca steps out of the room to get some yummy vending machine food, all goes wrong. The part that left us all bawling was the faint call, “Bec,” from Jack. Sadly, this is the moment where we finally find out how Jack has died—from cardiac arrest. From here, comes all of the subsequent heart-wrenching moments. Rebecca has to break the news to her children and she herself as to learn how to come to terms with this life-changing tragedy.

While we learn all of the facts surrounding Jack’s death, flashing in and out are glimpses into how the adult Big Three are dealing with the twentieth anniversary of their beloved father’s death on the current day, Pats/Eagles Super Bowl. We learn why Kevin struggles so hard to make amends with each of his family members—it is because he feels he can never apologize to his dad. We also see how Kate beats herself up everyday for allowing her father to go back inside the house for her dog. These two, in a way, receive some closure when Kevin has a long talk with his dad at the tree where his ashes are spread and Kate has a little scare when her VCR tape (do you even know what that is?!) of her dad almost breaks. These two learn a lot on this day and in a sense gain some relief that they can move forward from this. Randall also struggles with his emotions on this difficult day while throwing his daughters a Super Bowl party. With the help of his daughter, Tess, he comes to the realization that maybe he needs to slow down a little bit and quit moving from one thing to the next.

The ending, of course, had a surprising twist when we see oldie Randall visiting his ADULT daughter, Tess, at work! Now we know that the writers will be giving us another storyline to follow, with a new adult character. This was an exciting turn of events that we did not see coming!

So there we have it folks! We finally learned how daddy Jack died. All I can say is I was trying super hard to keep down my Super Bowl chili with this rollercoaster of emotions.

But wait…

Luckily, we were blessed with not one, but TWO new episodes this week. Just when you thought you could pack away the Kleenex for the week, think again! Now this episode just felt downright depressing. Life without Jack Pearson just doesn’t seem right. These writers better keep coming up with a multitude of Jack memories that we can see in the form of flashbacks or else I am not having it.

This episode revolves around one important focal point in a family’s life, “The Car.” The name of the episode says it all. We are introduced to how the Pearson’s decided on this Jeep Wagoneer. Jack wants a car to create family memories. There is just one little downside… he can’t afford it. But good thing Jack is charming because he certainly worked his magic and cut a deal with Mel, the salesman. Let the memories begin!

Sadly we also witness Jack’s funeral. Seeing Rebecca and the kids struggle throughout this difficult day, while looking back on past memories with their dad, certainly tugs at the heartstrings and gets the tear ducts flowing. The car definitely holds lots of significant memories for the Pearson’s—Rebecca actually having to face alone her fear of driving over the bridge, Weird Al Yankovic family sing-alongs, Jack teaching Kevin and Randall how to drive the Jeep, and Jack finding Kate cutting school to go to an Alanis Morrisette CD signing (isn’t it ironic, don’t ya think?).