This is Us is back on the scene, and we’re crying thirty seconds in

This is Us opened their second season with some beautiful narration from William (Ron Cephas Jones) before we find out it’s one year past the premiere of the show and now the big three are 37. Way to start off with some tears, This is Us. Each member of the family is going through their own stuff, so let’s get to it one at a time!

RELATED | Everything you need to know for This is Us Season 2!

Kevin (Justin Hartley) is still with his ex-wife though they’re on separate coasts. And he’s filming a movie with Ron Howard (the actual Ron Howard which was a pretty fun cameo)! But what’s nice about him being on the west coast is that he can see his sister Kate (Chrissy Metz) as much as he wants! Their twin relationship seems to be a strong as ever, though her boyfriend Toby (Chris Sullivan) isn’t happy about it.

Randall (Sterling K. Brown)  is totally hyped on his new adoption plans but Beth (Susan Kelechi Watson) doesn’t really seem to be on board. A fact that is confirmed a short while later when she and Randall are actually at the adoption center and Beth is just flat out savage. Rebecca (Mandy Moore) and Randall then have a heart to heart about how Jack (Milo Ventimiglia) and Rebecca decided to adopt Randall. It’s not exactly the most heartwarming thing you’ve ever heard but hey, Rebecca was really going through something at the time so it’s understandable.
When we’re back with Kate, she’s decided to audition for something and then she chickens out.

Later that night at a celebratory dinner Toby finds out she’d chickened out and not only lied to him but told Kevin the truth. Kevin and Toby get into a massive argument which spurs Kate to actually go to the audition. Which she completely bombs. Mistaking being terrible for being discriminated against for being fat, Kate stands up for herself before being told that it wasn’t because she was fat that she lost out on the gig but because she just wasn’t good enough. Ouch.

Beth takes Randall to where she used to sit with William. Randall tells her he doesn’t want to push her to do something she doesn’t want to and so they’ll put the adoption on hold. She surprises him with the news that she actually is on board only she wants them to adopt an older child whose life they could really change in a really heartfelt moment.

But what about Jack and Rebecca? After Jack made a fool of himself and forced Rebecca to leave her tour all is not well. Jack is out of the house and it seems like stuff will continue to be incredibly bad for the two of them including Jack trying to fix things by offering to pay someplace to hire her! When Rebecca goes to Jack to reconcile, he confesses he’s actually an alcoholic and that he needs to be alone to deal with it. Rebecca won’t take that though and tells him to come home.

All seems to be well until the final time jump of the episode where Kate and Randall are crying, there’s a dog, Kevin has a broken leg and Rebecca sits sobbing in front of a burned down Pearson house. What?! Insane! Let’s consult the roundtable!

Andee (@andeesings): Writer for TV After Dark. Ginger, lover of all things nerdy, always up for a Renaissance Faire and a quick flight to anywhere.

Danielle (@dani_pitter): Couch potato, dreamer, writer, and recent college graduate! Also needs many tissues during This is Us, among other amazing shows.

Jenni (@freckledjenni): Jenni really does have lots of freckles. She’s a terrible domestic goddess, sorta snarky, and the only person in the world that doesn’t cry during “This is Us”.

Meredith (@bklynMeredith): Meredith is a west coast girl living the east coast life. She loves Brooklyn, baking and cathartic TV shows like “This Is Us”.

Carole (@cbraunnj): Costumer, teacher, big tv watcher. Also major knitter while watching great tv.

Ryan (@rynolin): Tall dark and… tall. Theater aficianado. Ryan loves quoting movies, Julie Andrews, and the occasional tap dance routine.

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1) From the minute you saw Randall gushing about adoption, you could tell Beth wasn’t into it. What do you think her objections were?

Andee (@andeesings): I’m not sure if Beth has gotten to be herself since Randall brought William home (without asking her, I might add). Though it’s a little difficult. I can’t imagine that being adopted Randall had never mentioned it before. Surely there had to have been some discussion early on between them at least broaching the possibility?

Danielle (@dani_pitter): I was trying so hard to figure out why she didn’t want to adopt. At first I’d thought that maybe she just didn’t want anymore kids. She’s already given birth to two beautiful little girls; why would she want to split up her time for a third child? But then when she’d had that flashback with William (!!!) I thought maybe she was scared of being a new mother again. But I think she was also trying to save Randall from feeling guilty about letting William go, so she’d said ok to adopting another baby, but it went over her head.

Jenni (@freckledjenni): I’m thinking with so many changes in their family life adding a baby into the mix won’t help. After William’s death, the loss of Randall’s job, and now Beth going back to work there are too many changes in a very short amount of time. Randall is jumping around like he snorted a line of coke and running to find magic rainbows. Beth is trying to think clearly and make sure it’s a smart decision.

Meredith (@bklynMeredith): YES! Her body language said it all. The commentary about gender and gender roles in their first few scenes were fantastic too.

Carole (@cbraunnj): Beth has put diaper duty behind her. Who really wants to go back to midnight feedings when the kids you have are sleeping through the night. I totally get it.

Ryan (@rynolin): I think everything was just coming to a halt for Beth. She is obviously going through some serious William withdrawal and doesn’t seem like she’s had a break with taking on the working parent position while Randall gushes on about a new baby.

2) Kate’s birthday and she’s decided to go on at audition but she chickens out at the end. Why do you think she consistently bails on herself? And at what point does it get old?

Andee (@andeesings): At first I thought that it was possible that Kate had always just used her weight as an excuse not to do the things that she dreamed because that way if she wasn’t good enough she could just blame that. Nowhere to hide now that, and actually she seems way more confident! I’m definitely the kind of person who uses weight as a crutch so when she walked out I did definitely feel where she was coming from, even though at some point you just have to open yourself up to comments that you’re in fact terrible.

Danielle (@dani_pitter): It’s already gotten old haha! Ever since she dropped out of fat camp last season, her constant bailing on herself has gotten so old. It’s so disappointing to see; everytime I want to root for her and lift her up, she finds a way to pull herself back again. It’s sooo frustrating!!! At least it’s not like last season where she was constantly worrying about losing weight, but never really for the right reasons. I wish Jack was around when Kate was an adult so he could show her how to believe in herself.

Jenni (@freckledjenni): Kate has zero self esteem. She’s only just started to find love & a little happiness, but she’s still super insecure about her body image.

Meredith (@bklynMeredith): I think Kate talks herself out of her own strengths. It’s difficult to turn off decades of negative self-talk. While the body-positive movement is in full force, for those of us who are a bit older, self-acceptance takes time. Kate needs a win, she needs to find out where she really GLOWS and go after it!.

Carole (@cbraunnj): Kate has the biggest case of insecurity I’ve ever seen. But it has gotten a bit old because as she put it, I’m 37 years old. So she needs to woman up

Ryan (@rynolin): She bails on herself because she is the odd man out unfortunately. You would think they made Randall out to be the odd man out because of him being adopted. But he was very smart and obviously Kevin has the looks and the actor thing going for him. (Wow! Ron Howard!) so Kate is trying to find her place in the world at something she is good at. I’m so very glad that she gave in and auditioned and that the manager judged her talent. Not her looks.

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3) That scene between Beth and Randall was absolutely brutal. That’s the first time we’ve

seen either of them like that! What do you think is behind this behavior, and does it hint at things to come?

Andee (@andeesings): Everyone gets to a breaking point. I think it was really wrong of Beth to do that in front of the adoption counselor. How did she let it get that far? Take care of yourself Beth, for crying out loud!!!

Danielle (@dani_pitter): I think it was repressed emotion from the past season. Randall had been wondering for so long about William’s existence, then he found him, and lost him again. So all of that has got to hurt a lot. When he wanted to adopt, he’d wanted to have that feeling of “father meet son” again; which is why he’d spent so much time holding their Asian neighbor’s baby haha. But I think his excitement for another baby was Beth’s undoing because she never seemed excited for the whole thing. She just wanted her husband to be happy. But what Beth had said in the doctor’s office was uncalled for. She didn’t need to air out Randall’s dirty laundry like that.

Jenni (@freckledjenni): Randall needs to drink a cup of chamomile tea and chill out. He’s so amped up on positivity he’s not thinking about Beth’s feelings.

Meredith (@bklynMeredith): Loved the fake cig scene. This is marriage though. It is hard and sometimes there are the brutal conversations that hurt. Their strength is that they always come back. I think it is important to show that marriage is not perfect and NOT easy. It takes so much work. I like seeing a couple on TV grapple with a partnership in this way.

Carole (@cbraunnj): It was honest. I really think if you want your marriage to work it must be that honest. Otherwise it’s not going to make it into multiple decades

Ryan (@rynolin): Every couple has their rough spots. I think that Randall kind of pushed Beth to the side for most of Walter’s time in the show. They are obviously crazy about each other but I don’t think they have had many problems up to here.

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4) When Kate lies to Toby about going to the audition and then he finds out the truth and that she had told Kevin, what did you think about his reaction and subsequent fight with Kevin? And when Kate finally gets to the audition and is told she just isn’t good enough, was anyone else surprised by her reaction?

Andee (@andeesings): They’re part of triplets Toby. Triplets. I think he’s being completely unrealistic. Find another girlfriend if you don’t want a triplet. I feel like all bets are off when it comes to twins. Get over yourself, Toby. I don’t know he always seemed so thirsty to me. I was never a big Toby fan. And yes I was completely shocked, I thought Kate was going to throw in the towel especially because of her fragile self-esteem. I was impressed by her!

Danielle (@dani_pitter): Ok let’s be honest: Toby is salty! About everything! Who would get jealous about their fiancée spending her birthday with her twin brother? Only Toby. Like if he’s not mansplaining to her, he’s always trying to pull her away from her family for selfish reasons. I want to like him, but when he does selfish stuff like fight with Kevin, it turns me off. I was sad when he’d had that heart attack last season, but now he’s just back to the same petty BS. Also, I totally rooted for Kate and her late audition. I wasn’t really that surprised that the casting director basically shunned her away. Most casting directors are like that, I’ve heard. It was interesting how she’d assumed that he turned her away because of her weight, but it was actually for her lack of singing ability. It made sense because while he was harsh in his delivery, it made Kate push herself and finally not back down on a challenge.

Jenni (@freckledjenni): Toby has a completely valid reaction to not being told about Kate skipping the audition. He’ll never understand the bond Kate and Kevin have and its natural to be jealous of that bond. BUT Kevin needs to let Toby be Kate’s main squeeze and step off. I wasn’t surprised at all! She’s finally finding her confidence and pushing herself more. I like angry Kate.

Meredith (@bklynMeredith): Being the partner to someone who is a twin is tricky. Kevin’s point that they have always been together walked together is valid. Toby is forever going to be trying to carve his own place in Kate’s life that looks different than Kevin’s role thus far. Kate needs to learn to let Toby be her person first. Hopefully, it will come with time. I was not surprised by his reaction and his feedback was honest and upfront. Hopefully, it pushes Kate to get on it and work!

Carole (@cbraunnj): Toby doesn’t totally get the twin thing. It’s not just Kevin and Kate being cute, there’s a real, deep in the bone connection. If Toby wants to marry Kate, he really needs to understand that. Kate was glad she wasn’t dismissed because of size, it was refreshing to her. She understands she needs to train her voice, which she thinks is easier than being a size 6.

Ryan (@rynolin): I think Toby is right to have been defensive to Kevin but I think he should have talked to Kate first. I wasn’t surprised by her reaction at all because like she said, he didn’t say anything about her looks or weight. He talked about her talent and it is something she can work on.

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5) Honestly did Jack really think paying for a gig for Rebecca was going to work? And what about when he admitted his alcoholism and said he was going to go it alone- was that a part of it? What was he thinking?

Andee (@andeesings): I thought this was ridiculous. He was so against her having the career, then he was going to pay someone to give her a gig to get her back and then he tells her he doesn’t want to go back until he can kick his problems with alcohol? It just all felt wrong. It’s nice to see Rebecca realized Jack actually does have a problem though. I didn’t like it last season when Jack just miraculously kicked his alcohol dependency.

Danielle (@dani_pitter): I honestly didn’t even notice that he did pay. But since he did, it wasn’t the right thing to do. It made Rebecca feel like she wasn’t enough to do it on her own. I felt like if this situation were in the future and if Rebecca discovered YouTube, she could make it as a cover artist lol. But anyway, it was heartbreaking seeing Jack admit his alcoholism to Rebecca. Even though they were fighting, he still trusted her to tell her the truth. But that he was going at it alone hurt me too because when you’re dealing with a suffering disease like that, you can’t do it alone. It’s too hard.

Jenni (@freckledjenni): Jack was trying to apologize by buying her a place on the stage. I think it was his last effort and realized he was at rock bottom. He told Rebecca about the drinking because he couldn’t hide anymore. He felt like he lost everything so it was time for honesty. Jack looked so sad I wanted to reach through time and give him a hug.

Meredith (@bklynMeredith): No. That was just silly. Yes, it was part of his alcoholism. He was grasping at straws, depressed and maybe he thought this was a way to win her back.

Carole (@cbraunnj): That’s it, Jack wasn’t thinking. It’s the booze talking. I think the bit with him going into the bar to arrange a gig for Rebecca was so forced, really didn’t think it needed to be part of the show.

Ryan (@rynolin): I think he thought he could get her a gig and she would go back to him and be happy? I actually think Rebecca should have left him alone when he said he wanted to do it by himself. At least give him the night to think about it.

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6) Is it just me or is Beth the best wife ever? What ultimately do you think makes her change her mind, and what do you think about her adoption preference?

Andee (@andeesings): I knew Beth ultimately wouldn’t let me down. I think like Randall changed his mind not wanting to push her, she just realized she needed to be what Randall needed but on her terms. I think it definitely will provide more drama for the show moving forward. I think the show has a lot to say about interracial adoption and I really hope they continue that trend with Randall and Beth’s adoption.

Danielle (@dani_pitter): Beth is the sassiest wife ever!! I think that flashback with William made her change her mind. Remembering that conversation must have made her realize how precious life is, and how she wanted to make Randall happy. It made sense for her to decide to adopt an older kid. But older adopted kids ain’t easy. I mean, has she seen The Fosters?!

Jenni (@freckledjenni): Beth may get frustrated and angry with her husband, but she still loves him. She found a balance so she and Randall are able to jump into adoption on the same page.

Meredith (@bklynMeredith): She is great. Almost as great as I am! 🙂 The think I love about Beth is that she really listens when they talk. She hears what he is saying, takes it in and reflects. They make choices and the ebb and flow of their marriage, while challenging at times, is what makes them so fantastic.

Carole (@cbraunnj): But what really made her change her mind was sitting in the same park that the “Old Man” loved to go. There’s a connection for Beth there. Maybe bringing home a kid that might just hang out there will make her feel like he’s still with them.

Ryan (@rynolin): Beth is my favorite character on the show. I love everything that comes out of her mouth. I think what makes her change her mind is that she is starting to see this through Randall’s eyes and how much he really wants it. I LOVE that she suggested an older child.

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7)There were a LOT of time jumps in this episode- was anyone else a little confused with the timeline of where we were?

Andee (@andeesings): Yes I absolutely felt that the jumps in time were strange here. It’s like they were around the same year but not really? The last one especially threw me for a loop.

Danielle (@dani_pitter): I wasn’t any more confused with the time jumps than usual. There was more backstory to the past than present, but that’s normal for a show like this.

Jenni (@freckledjenni): I don’t mind the jumps. It puts the mood of the characters into perspective for me. I also like seeing as much Milo as possible. They could show Jack doing dishes and I’d still watch with anticipation.

Meredith (@bklynMeredith): Yes. How much time to the moment at the end when we see Rebecca driving in the car solo?

Carole (@cbraunnj): Not really, helps when they are younger to follow which jump they are in.

Ryan (@rynolin): I was confused on what was going on when they were teens. Kevin had a hickey then he had a broken leg? Does he have an abusive HS girlfriend? Who was the redhead with Randall?

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8) We have GOT to talk about that ending. The burnt house, the crying, the dog, Kevin in a cast?? What are your theories?

Andee (@andeesings): Well Kate has maintained she was responsible, so maybe she started the fire? I’m dying to know what the deal with the dog is. I don’t actually really care about Kevin in his cast. I’m sorry! I can’t be on board for all of it!

Danielle (@dani_pitter): It was all TOO MUCH!!!! Why was the house burnt? Where was Kevin; why did he break his foot?! Maybe Jack fell asleep cooking? But where were Kate and Randall? Were they with their dad before he died? So many questions!! When’s episode two?!

Jenni (@freckledjenni): OMG I have NO clue. Kate always says it was her fault he died. Did they try to have a seance with candles all over? Did the dog hit one of the candles? Was Jack drunk and try to cook a TV dinner and passed out? Did Kevin and his lady watch the stars from the roof and when they went in for one of their epic make out sessions he fell off the roof? Did he take up skateboarding and fail epically? The questions are endless!!!

Meredith (@bklynMeredith): It felt so abrupt. Disappointing in a way. I would have rather waited until the next episode for a deeper dive/reveal of what the story was. I don’t remember the red head on the couch with Randall at the end either- who was that? I hope it was not a house fife! Ahhh, what a horrible death. Weren’t the kids at Miguel’s house at the end??? Is it next week yet?

Carole (@cbraunnj): My theory, Jack fell asleep while drinking and had the stove on. But the cast on Kevin baffles me.

Ryan (@rynolin : See above. And the dog??

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Final Verdict: The This is Us cry fest is back for some and holding off for others- and was Jack’s death revealed?

It was a decent premiere for season 2 of This is Us. Big things are happening for the big three! Will Randall go along with Beth’s idea of adopting an older child, or is the adoption discussion tabled for now? Will Kate continue to have the motivation to work on her song stylings? Is that really how Jack died?? And how will he and Rebecca work it out before he does?

This is Us returns next Tuesday, October 3rd at 9/8c on NBC!