This Is Us Season 5 Episode 5 “A Long Road Home” Review

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

This Is Us Season 5 made its grand return on January 5, 2021, and boy was it glorious in so many ways. Randall learns more about his biological mother, Kevin is dealing with some life changes with Madison and the children vs career, and Kate gains closure after twenty years. These are the reasons why we stick with these very damaged characters, y’all. Let’s start with Number #3 Kate and go reverse order from there (Kate to Randall to Kevin).

Kate discloses her past with Marc to Toby, and reveals she had an abortion and dealt with it all alone. This sad situation was likely the start of Kate shoving her emotions post-Jack’s death, but I’m glad she’s confronted Marc in present-day. The casting for This Is Us when it comes to older and younger versions of characters is always on point. While traveling and tracking down Marc might seem excessive, at least Kate can finally stop letting Marc have all this power over her. No matter what you may think about her method, I’m glad it’s put to rest.

Kate has a supportive husband, a beautiful son, and a great life. I did really enjoy how Kate gave it everything she had though when she lectured Marc on the age difference, abuse, and how he crushed Kate’s self-esteem like it was nothing. I hope Marc is never seen ever again. We don’t need him. Not now. Not ever.

The present-day scene also meshed well with the flashback scene showing young Kate realizing how toxic Marc actually is. Watching young Kate leave his apartment to get the abortion was incredibly satisfyingly but also sad when she chose to keep it all to herself.

I’m glad Kate is finally moving forward.

However, the flash-forward scenes are still canon, which means Toby and Kate still aren’t together. In fact, Kate still hasn’t been seen in the flash-forward scenes yet. Things aren’t in the clear. Let’s put this on the backburner for now and move onto Number #2 Randall!

Randall has a new Black Therapist and is making great progress with him, but his striptease video is still going viral. I’m surprised the show downplayed that whole situation. I mean, people would have “meme” him already with Kevin’s Manny but instead it’s treated as a gateway to Randall’s biological mother. The man from the previous episodes—Hai—sent Randall a letter about his biological mother, and it became really heavy for Randall again when he learned his bio mom died in 2015.

As a result, Randall spiraled because it must mean William lied about Laurel—bio mom—dying when she gave birth due to a drug overdose. While we, as the audience, knew he didn’t lie, but Randall still was freaking out because he did not have fourth wall powers.

Randall wanted to deny the horrible scenario he had created in his head, go for a run, and then eventually he would’ve had an anxiety-induced mental breakdown. However, since Randall is improving, he calls his therapist instead to process. After being reminded that he gained something from William, his bio dad, why couldn’t he gain that same “something” from Hai, the man who knew his biological mother.

Randall and Beth talk it out, and they decide to call Hai from New Orleans. Hai does tell Randall that William thought he was telling the truth about Laurel. Randall’s single-tear moment was beautiful. I was praying he learned the truth about William quickly. This is such a huge relief because now Randall and Beth are going to New Orleans. They’re on a journey to learn more about Laurel! In the middle of a pandemic! Woo hoo!

Number #1 Kevin is also in a pickle! Kevin and Madison have a talk about traveling for his work all the time, and how that will affect their family. Kevin assumed Madison and their kids will just go with him, while Madison thought they’d settle down in a house and grow a normal life together. The flashback scene on how Kevin chose his career over Sophie is a clear indication on which choice he should make this time.

How Randall gave Kevin some advice in both flashback and present day is also a nice touch. I hope they make up soon. What would Randall do?

Random Side-Note: What happened to Madison’s character? She’s not weird or goofy anymore.

Thanks for reading this episode review, everyone! I’m excited to keep watching This Is Us throughout 2021. We need to start crying again! I’ll see you all when the next episode is out!