This Is Us 4x04 "Flip a Coin" Episode Review
Major Spoilers are included in this episode review. Please read with caution.
This Is Us spends time setting up new relationships and readdressing old ones. Beth and Randall’s college romance is explored after their first date to reveal Carol’s (Beth’s mom) disapproval from the very beginning. Kevin and Cassidy (Jennifer Morrison) are getting comfortable with each other, but Kate and Toby are going through some marital issues. They’ll likely divorce by the end of this season… they don’t seem to be in a good place in the flash forward so…
Randall and Malik finally meet in this episode. Malik had no idea what he walked into, but he did show maturity in talking about his six-month-old daughter. Randall almost exploded in the moment hearing about this, which fit into the theme of the episode… misjudging your daughter’s boy crush. Carol did the same thing with Beth in the past, and Randall and Beth are doing it in the present day with Malik. I mean, yeah if I were them, I’d freak out too, but… we got that season premiere backstory so it’s hard to pick sides here.
Also, Teen Randall giving Beth a lemon was so symbolic and romantic. Make whatever resembles lemonade, baby! I gasped at my television screen, I kid you not.
Flashback Rebecca is gradually getting over Jack’s death, and the bombshell about Kevin’s marriage to Sophie is coming at the right time. Kevin in the present day has decided to help Cassidy get back with her husband, who wants a divorce from her. Teenager Kate also met a boy! This should be loads of fun.
Kevin’s flashback about The Manny was a nice reminder that he’s a famous person. But, I did like seeing his conflict and the foreshadow on how bonding with a baby was why the pilot took off. Kevin is going to be a father eventually, and seeing on the path to meeting the mother is sooooo… How I Met Your Mother!
Kate and Toby are annoying me. Kate threw Toby’s weight loss in his face, and that was totally uncalled for. I’m getting around the idea of them not working things out. Toby’s weight loss is amazing, and you’re taking it away from him, Kate. Why?
Overall, the fourth episode set the plot into motion. Kevin, Uncle Nicky, and Cassidy are officially friends with each other, Beth and Randall don’t approve of Deja’s crush Malik, Kate and Toby are fighting, and flashback Rebecca has to deal with Kevin’s marriage to Sophie. I’m pretty interested to see how all that works out for everyone.