‘This Is Us’: 5 Things We Need to See in Season 3’s Second Half
A Stronger Beth and Randall Relationship
Fans of Randall (Sterling K. Brown) and Beth’s (Susan Kelechi Watson) marriage were thrown for a loop when, in the fall finale flash-forward, it looked like they might be divorced. Randall being exiled to the couch in the present timeline after refusing to stop campaigning didn’t help things. But in the midseason premiere, hope was restored… sort of.
At the end of the episode, Randall learned he won the city council election in Philadelphia, so could this throw a wrench in the good vibes at home? Brown revealed to Entertainment Weekly that Randall and Beth reached an understanding. “I’m saying they close the gap,” Brown said. “They get on the same page. She supports him like she always does, but the question of ‘What next?’ looms heavily.”
‘The Big 3’ Meet Uncle Nicky
Sure, this was teased as an upcoming storyline, but there’s a lot of baggage that will need to be unpacked when the time comes. Other than grappling with the fact that the uncle they believed to be dead is actually alive, the Pearson kids will also have to cope with knowing that Jack (Milo Ventimiglia) lied about Nicky.
This realization will also hit Randall and Kate (Chrissy Metz) differently than Kevin (Justin Hartley) who discovered the news in Vietnam with Zoe (Melanie Liburd). Plus, we have yet to see Griffin Dunne take on the role of Nicky in the present day, apart from a quick shot in the midseason finale.
Jack & Rebecca’s Early Days
We caught glimpses of Jack and Rebecca’s (Mandy Moore) beginnings as a couple earlier in the season, but we would love a few more of those flashbacks. Considering the heavy family drama that awaits fans, a detour into the couple’s happy past could be the perfect remedy. Plus, revisiting that timeline could also provide answers about Nicky (Michael Angarano) and his return from the war. Perhaps Rebecca even met him? We know she’s good at keeping secrets.
Updates on Tess
The show dropped a pretty big bomb on viewers during the Thanksgiving episode by revealing that Beth and Randall’s daughter Tess (Eris Baker) is gay. In the midseason finale, the topic was addressed again when she told her parents, but it isn’t like This Is Us to introduce an idea and not follow up on it. We’re hoping more of this is broached in the coming episodes. Considering William’s (Ron Cephas Jones) history with Jessie (Denis O’Hare), revisiting Tess’ experience coming out could allow for some tie-ins with the late beloved character.
Kate & Toby’s Baby Bliss
We got a little of Kate and Toby’s (Chris Sullivan) baby prep in the midseason premiere as they readied the nursery, but after the struggle they’ve been through to have this child, we hope there’s more happiness ahead. Hopefully by the finale, we’ll see Kate and Toby toting a baby along with them to Pearson family gatherings.
This Is Us returned for the second half of Season 3 on Tuesday, and there was a lot to digest in the jam-packed “The Last Seven Weeks.”
From rocky relationships to making way for a new Pearson baby, the show was nothing short of surprises. As we enter this last leg of the season, we’re thinking about our hopes and dreams for the rest of the episodes.
In the gallery above, we’re sharing five things we want out of the Pearson clan in the coming months, from some resolution between Beth and Randall (and his career in politics) to more of present-day Uncle Nicky.
This Is Us, Tuesdays, 9/8c, NBC
