In the second part of the Big Three Trilogy, an episode directed by Mama Pearson, Mandy Moore, the spotlight was on Kate.
Last Updated: 01.55 PM, Mar 23, 2022
Story: After the drama during Thanksgiving at the Pearson cabin, Kate and Toby finally begin to address the elephant in the room – their long-distance relationship isn’t really working out. Even though Toby rushes back to LA every weekend to spend time with his family, he’d rather have them move with him to San Francisco and build a life there. But can Kate leave her family and her happiness behind for Toby?
Review: We are still a long way from bidding adieu to This is Us in this final season, but the narratives that had been teased as the future for the Pearsons is slowly falling in place. Last week’s first instalment in the Big Three Trilogy put the spotlight on Kevin and what it took for him to finally find his purpose in life. It is still not clear if he will find that in matters of the heart – Madison and he are only co-parenting, and Cassidy is dealing with a lot of her own baggage. Hopefully, we will know for sure when the Pearsons get-together at the new cabin to bid Rebecca adieu.
In the meantime, let’s look at another Pearson – Kate. She who has always had body and self-confidence issues, finally found happiness in a life with Toby. Yes, it came with some ups and downs, but they’ve always had each other’s back and worked things out. Until now, that is. Toby’s job in San Francisco makes him happy, because he’s finally in a place where his contribution is valued. He’s rushing back home every weekend to spend a precious-few hours with Kate and the kids. But there is no denying the strain his absence is putting on their relationship.
Kate’s got a lot on her plate, handling two kids, one with special needs, and with the added responsibility of having to take care of her mother’s medical needs in the event of Miguel not being able to do it. Toby’s solution to their problems is to have Kate uproot the family to San Francisco. He’s even rejected an LA job offer because he likes it better where he is now. In fact, he didn’t think he needed to consult Kate on this before rejecting the offer. And that, in a sense, was the last straw for Kate. She’s had enough of being told that her job as a music teaching assistant in a school for children with special needs doesn’t measure up to anything. But she is not about to take that lying down; she’s applying for a better job at the school and doing everything she can to hold on to the happiness she’s found for herself back home.
Verdict: It is amazing that both Kevin and Kate needed to get to 41 to have breakthrough moments in their lives. Kevin’s setting up Big Three Homes, and Kate’s finally believing ‘she can’ and doing what’s best for her. This wasn’t among the finest hours on This is Us, but definitely one that heralded the beginning of the end for Kate and Toby.