This Is Us 3x14 "The Graduates" Episode Review

Major Spoilers are included in this episode review. Please review with caution.

After a fantastic Beth-centric episode from a few weeks ago, this episode really disappointed me. The Big Three are not making great decisions, looking at you Kevin and Randall, but Past Rebecca’s story was heart-wrenching, reminding us that Jack died. The drama piled on with Kate’s early labor and Kevin’s relapse in drinking and lying to others.

Let’s start with Past Rebecca. The story of the video camera, and how that single dad asked Past Rebecca out on a date… the expression on her face was perfect. Mandy Moore is an amazing actress. I was thrown too that he asked her out, using Jack’s death as his opening… I’m glad she just walked away and made it awkward for him.

Randall’s parental justice against the English teacher was worthy. Deja is getting made fun of at school because the teacher published her personal essay online for the other students to read. After resolving the mess and crying it out, Randall learns that Deja can skip to high school next year. He got so happy to hear the news! But, Deja does not share his enthusiasm. She doesn’t want to ruin her routine and decides to stay in middle school for stability.

This is where it gets messy… Randall tells Beth that she should “put a pin” in her dreams because they can’t afford a babysitter who can take care of their girls. So, of course, he decides her dreams are less worthy than his and suggests she go back to being a stay-at-home mom. Biggest mistake of Randall’s adult life. Luckily, Kate’s drama comes into play before the two of them get into this inevitable argument…

Overall, the episode was uneven with the timelines (high school graduation and Kate’s 16 year late graduation), and the whole Big Three emotional scene with “I promise” seemed too forced. We’re supposed to root for them after this episode?

Yeah, that isn’t going to happen. I need to cry watching this show again.