'This Is Us' recap: 5 things you might have missed in season 1, episode 2

Have you forgotten the smaller moments of ‘This Is Us’? Let’s rewind to Season 1, Episode 2 and recap five things you might have missed.

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Since we have braved a revisiting of the emotional rollercoaster that is the pilot episode of This Is Us, we’re going to keep this rollercoaster on the tear-slicked tracks for the next sobfest. “The Big Three,” which not only introduces Jack’s too cute for words Big Three chant, drops yet another episode-ending bomb. From the get-go This Is Us fans learned to never get comfortable — it’s all fair game.

Jumping off from the revelation that each of the 36-year-old characters aren’t just connected by birth date but by family name, This Is Us delved further into the lives of each Pearson. Short of a decade into the future, Jack and Rebecca endure a severe itch in their marriage, fueled by the demands of raising three children and Jack’s heavy drinking. Meanwhile, Kevin fights for his future, Kate worries about losing the weight, and Beth notices the warning signs of Randall’s anxiety. Of course, you couldn’t forget these touching moments of Pearson pride, but do you remember Mandy Moore’s first homerun monologue as fierce mama bear Rebecca Pearson? And do you remember Miguel low key having the hots for his best friend’s wife? Let’s rewind and revisit five things you might have missed in Season 1, Episode 2.

1. Be a man and fix it, Jack.

Oh, Jack Pearson. We love him in spite of his flaws and vices. Rather than spending time at home helping Rebecca with individualized lunches and separate tuck-ins, Jack passes his post-work hours at the bar with Miguel. He ambles in late at night smelling of alcohol and looking a mess. Finally, Rebecca has had enough, and she’s not here for Jack lowering their parenting score. With one stern talk, Rebecca helps him see the light in a performance that should have earned Mandy Moore an Emmy nod. But we’re still crying over Rebecca and Jack’s moon necklace ceasefire.

2. Randall is too perfect.

As early as Episode 2, the warning signs that Randall could crumble in the face of anxiety and stress begin to appear, and Beth takes note. Randall carries the weight of the world on his shoulders, and navigating William’s health adds that much more pressure. Beth sits down with William to tell him the truth: Randall once went temporarily blind from putting too much work on his plate. He’s too perfect, and she fears having William around will barrel him toward blindness again. This right here is why we need to know how Beth and Randall met.

THIS IS US — “The Big Three” Episode 102 — Pictured: Justin Hartley as Kevin — (Photo by: Ron Batzdorff/NBC) /

3. Let Kevin go with god.

Have we met a character as oblivious to his own try-hard efforts as Kevin Pearson? The man will do whatever it takes to look the part, including wearing a beanie in the 80-degree Los Angeles heat. After walking out on his starring role on The Manny, Kevin discovers he’ll have to grovel at the feet of the network head for his job back. But he doesn’t want it back; he wants to “go with god.” Okay, Kevin. When push comes to shove, he’s let out of his contract and he’s off to New York to take the theatre world by storm. Well, light afternoon shower.

4. Kate’s body image issues began at home.

When the Big Three were just kids, Rebecca was hyper-aware of Kate’s weight struggles, which made Kate hyper-aware of her weight struggles. While Kevin and Randall ate whatever they wanted, Kate had to eat fruit and bland cereals for breakfast. Rebecca wanted her daughter to be healthy, of course, but the restrictions imparted Kate with negative thought processes. In present day, she’s not shedding the weight despite her tireless efforts, and Kevin dragging her to a Hollywood party, where she’s laughed at on the dancefloor, doesn’t boost her self-esteem.

Next: 'This Is Us' rewind recap: 5 things you might have missed in the pilot

5. Miguel low key had the hots for Rebecca.

Episode 2’s big jaw-dropper came courtesy of none other than Jack’s best friend Miguel. In the final seconds of the episode, the doorbell rings at Randall’s house. It’s grandma and grandpa, but grandpa isn’t Jack — it’s Miguel. What?! Present-day Rebecca is married to Miguel, but at this point, we’re still in the dark as to how, why, or what happened to Jack. However, what we do know is that back in the ’80s, Miguel made some startling comments about Rebecca. We should have seen this snake in the grass coming for his best friend’s wife.

What were your favorite moments from “The Big Three”? Let us know in the comments, and keep the conversation going on Twitter!

This Is Us returns for Season 2 on Tuesday, September 26 at 9/8c on NBC. Season 1 is currently available to stream online.

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‘This Is Us’ rewind recap: 5 things you might have missed in season 1, episode 2

By Reed Gaudens | Jul 17, 2017