What I’m Watching: This Is Us

This Is Us: Season 3, Episode 14 “The Graduates” (B)

If there’s one thing this show is able to do well, it’s framing an episode thematically across its multiple time periods. This episode had two different major arcs, the first of which was the video camera that Jack was so obsessed with getting to capture every moment of the Big Three’s lives, and the second one went on without him as they made a pact about sticking together after graduation. Rebecca trying to cope with not having Jack there for the important moments in their family’s lives led to a far more comforting notion of having made it once she was able to see Kate graduate thanks to Toby’s very sweet graduation party. Unfortunately, her water breaking very early diminished any sense of optimism, and whatever hope they have won’t necessarily be enough to overcome science and the unpredictability of events. Randall showing up to deal with this crisis isn’t going to help with the one started at home when he basically said that Beth had to give up her dream so that she would spend more time with the kids. Kate seemed aware that something was off with Kevin when he showed up to the party, and while she’ll probably forgive him, it’s Toby who isn’t soon likely to let go the fact that he wasn’t able to be there for her in a moment of need because he was drunk. He was already in the room alone with her before Randall showed up, but everything could change if she loses the baby and Toby blames Kevin for his part in it.