‘This Is Us’: Will Kevin’s Exes Disrupt His and Madison’s Wedding Plans?
Spoiler Alert
[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for Season 5, Episode 12, of This Is Us, “Both Things Can Be True.”]
This Is Us is expert at dropping juicy bombs and, in the April 6 episode, “Both Things Can Be True,” the sudden reemergence of past characters could throw a wrench into some pretty big plans.
While Kevin (Justin Hartley) plans for his impending nuptials to Madison (Caitlin Thompson), we can’t help but take note of the show’s quick cuts to his exes Sophie (Alexandra Breckenridge), Zoe (Melanie Liburd), and Cassidy (Jennifer Morrison).
The various former loves of Kevin’s life notice news of his engagement on the cover of a tabloid magazine and, with smiles on their faces, pick up copies to peruse. While it’s a nice nod to the Pearson son’s past, we’re wondering if it’s a sign of things to come.
Sure, it could be nothing more than a fun tipping the hat to Kevin’s relationships, but it just easily portend some loosening of the bond he’s worked hard to nurture with Madison, with whom he now has twins. They’re growing closer with each passing day, and Madison’s relationships with the rest of the Pearsons have flourished since first making friends with Kate (Chrissy Metz) years ago. But is she the right woman for Kevin?
(Credit: Ron Batzdorff/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)
Which leads to another question: Are his emotional ties to any one of the other women stronger than the stability he’s found with Madison?
Sophie will always hold a special place in Kevin’s heart as his first and longest love. Meanwhile, he and Zoe ended things amicably, but it was Kevin’s drinking and her personal demons that eventually drove a wedge into their life together. And Cassidy came into Kevin’s world when he began chumming around with long-lost Uncle Nicky (Griffin Dunne), bonding over shared struggles and eventually coming together in Pennsylvania before he returned to Los Angeles.
(Credit: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)
While it seems as though the book has closed on Kevin’s previous relationships, could any of them be invited to the wedding, or cause some pre-wedding disruptions? Sophie’s ties to the Pearsons are lengthy and her respect and admiration for Kevin make us believe that she’d attend such a milestone event if asked. As for Zoe, she’s Kevin’s sister-in-law Beth’s (Susan Kelechi Watson) cousin, making her family by marriage, and she could slip into the guest list that way. And with Cassidy serving as an emotional crutch for Nicky, we could easily picture him bringing her as his guest to the upcoming shindig.
(Credit: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)
There’s always a chance these three could amount to nothing more than Season 4’s brief appearance of Breckenridge’s Sophie, who spots her ex on a billboard in New York, laughs, and then carries on with her day. Or, it could be the gateway for more returns.
Let us know what you think in the comments below — did Kevin’s exes pop up for brief cameos, or will be hearing more from one or more of them as the wedding plans progress?
This Is Us, Season 5, Tuesdays, 9/8c, NBC
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I feel like these writers are always intentional with the characters they put on screen, so I think something’s gonna go down here with Kevin and his exes..
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Hope there is more to the story with Sophie. I don’t think Madison is his soul mate. You can create an entire life, including children with the wrong person. We shall see.
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I think there's more to this.
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I'm Team Sophie!
There is no chemistry with Kevin and Madison.
I wonder if Madison is being pushed on us because she ( in real life) is the creators wife and wanted a bigger role.
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G
I love Kevin and Madison together. I think they are building a really strong and healthy relationship. I think we might see more of Sophie, maybe how their marriage ended, but I hope they don't end up together, I feel like they have history, but not a future together.
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These women just picked up the magazine because each ate happy he has moved on and found what he needs and wants in his life. He was young. and wanted Sophie.they were good then. She moved on and I believe he has happiness. Zoe never wanted kids and even though Kevin was drinking that was clear and final. So now that he has twins and is happy. Those children are a package deal and she is happy for him. I see Cassie as just what it was two people needing to connect on a most intimate level for a moment of compassion and guilt free sex. I think she is going to be Nicki future wife because she is more there for Nicki than she is for Kevin. She smiles with closure on their chapter
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Zoe and Kevin broke up because Kevin really wanted kids and Zoe really, really did not.
Sophie I think ended up marrying someone else...
And Cassidy was still married and it was basically a one night stand.... but I could definitely see Cassidy and Uncle Nicky together....?
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I’m honestly over Kevin and Sophie, just because they had the longest relationship and they were each other’s first love doesn’t mean they are meant for each other. I personally much prefer Kevin and Madison and I really hope they end up together, only time will tell I guess
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Never liked Zoe or Cassidy, but LOVED Sophie....and I thought the wink and nod to the exes was really great...BUT...isn’t the actress who plays Sophie on Virgin River....so unlikely she’d be available for another go-around with Kevin.
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C
Usually ex partners are not invited to your wedding.
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D
Madison loves Outlander. Ergo, I love Madison.
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I’m all set with the past... look forward.. #madison
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Kevin is happier and definitely in a better place. He is living for his kids and he wants their mum in his life.
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