This Is Us 4x05 "Storybook Love" Episode Review
Major Spoilers are included in this episode review. Please read with caution.
This Is Us has kicked off with another question: What happened to teenager Kate and her boyfriend? The “we didn’t see it” cliffhanger at the end of the episode threw us all in for a loop. The flashback scenes of the episode were heavy as it connected to the other present day storylines unfolding: Kevin’s arc with Uncle Nicky and Cassidy, Randall and Beth with Tess’ inherited panic attacks, but Kate and Toby weren’t featured as much in this episode, which made the dinner scenes the centerpiece of the episode.
The first dinner scene was Jack and a pregnant Rebecca making dinner in their new house. Everything goes wrong, of course with the table not set-up and the lasagna doesn’t cook right, and finally we see Jack try to contain a flying bird in their house. Seeing Jack scream and try to catch the bird was the funniest scene ever. Bravo!
The second dinner scene was post-Jack to support Kevin and Sophie, where everyone brought dates. Rebecca had Miguel (not dating yet, just there), Kevin and Sophie are married, Randall brought Beth, and Kate… let the creep inside the house, and called himself “her boyfriend”.
Kevin’s arc with Uncle Nicky and Cassidy is the most entertaining to watch, but the path least clear as we’re theorizing whether or not Cassidy is the mother of Kevin’s future son. Uncle Nicky’s character journey to becoming the man who sits with Older Rebecca is a slow-burn, but one that could hold the most payoff. I liked how Uncle Nicky’s ice cream story connected to the dinner theme, and the origin of an old tradition Jack did for Kate, Kevin, and Randall when they were kids.
Randall leaves his political obligations to take care of his daughter, Tess, who had a panic attack at school. Tess is still not adjusting to school because she keeps not coming out to her friends, and hates that she is “like her father”. Randall is ashamed that he passed the panic attacks onto his daughter, which makes Beth remember William. Yass! I’m glad he returned in this episode. Always a joy to see him again! And don’t talk smack about Beth’s favorite people. IT IS NOT OKAY!
The cliffhanger about Kate’s going to hurt my heart. I hope we get answers on this relatively soon. Sometimes, This Is Us takes too long with answering the questions. Learning how Jack died and “Her” are the examples that come to mind. Ending the episode on such a note was effective. I’m ready for the rest of season four.