'This Is Us' recap: 5 things you might have missed in season 1, episode 3

Have you forgotten the smaller moments of ‘This Is Us’? Let’s rewind to Season 1, Episode 3 and recap five things you might have missed.

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After a brief flash forward to the Big Three as walking and talking pre-tweens, This Is Us travels back to their big day in Episode 3. If you thought delivering the kids was the tough part, bringing them home is even harder, and Jack and Rebecca are in over their heads to say the least. But filling out the nest with dirty diapers isn’t the sole stressor in the Pearson household. Rebecca’s got some secrets!

This Is Us practically ignores the bomb it dropped in the previous episode, that Jack and Rebecca are no longer married in present day. Inquiring minds must wait for answers as we’re presented with another Rebecca-centric mystery. Elsewhere, Kevin struggle with moving forward with learning who they are without each other as Randall fights for William’s health. But do you remember Kate’s first performance as a minor league singer? And who in the world is Kyle again? Let’s rewind and revisit five things you might have missed in Season 1, Episode 3.

1. William and Randall’s mom met on a city bus.

It can’t be overstated how precise This Is Us paints the story of this expansive family. The origin stories don’t stop at Jack, Rebecca, and the Big Three. We also learn more about William’s past, from how he met Randall’s mother to his relationship with his own mother. (But that’s a spoiler from a later episode.) “Kyle” opens with William meeting Randall’s mother on the city bus, wooing her with poetry. However, the couple quickly descends due to drug abuse.

2. Toby books Kate a gig.

If you’ll remember, Kate and Toby got pretty wasted at Kevin’s fancy Hollywood party. Miraculously, they don’t wake up with hangovers, but Toby does overhear Kate singing in the bathroom post-shower. He startles her, she punches him (naturally), and he’s inspired to help her shine. Before long, Toby’s rolling out a literal red carpet for Kate on the way to her first singing gig at a retirement home. Okay, not the best venue, but she slays “Time After Time” nonetheless.

THIS IS US — “Kyle” Episode 103 — Pictured: Mandy Moore as Rebecca — (Photo by: Ron Batzdorff/NBC) /

3. The babies broke Rebecca.

When Jack takes the Big Three to their first check-up with Dr. K, he admits that he’s worried about Rebecca. She’s not acting the same, she’s emotionally wrecked, and she’s not bonding with the babies — Kyle in particular. Who’s Kyle? That would be Randall’s first first name. Rebecca tracked down Randall’s new name from — gasp! — William. When it’s all said and done, the babies didn’t break Rebecca. She’s still grieving and adapting.

4. Kevin fires Kate.

We love to love Kevin, but man could his decision making skills use some direction. Kevin hastily decided to move to New York City to pursue stage acting after telling his former bosses to shove it. Of course, he can’t get his affairs in order for the big move on his own and calls on Kate. She doesn’t immediately answer, which motivates him to call Insane Elaine. When Kate shows up to save the day, he realizes she has been sidelining her life for him, and he finally sets them both free.

Next: 'This Is Us' rewind recap: 5 things you might have missed in 'The Big Three'

5. Rebecca and Shakespeare have some secrets…

As it turns out, William’s whereabouts wouldn’t have been so difficult to locate had Rebecca told the truth. Yes, Rebecca met, knew, and made a deal with William (a.k.a. Shakespeare) that they both held close to the vest for almost four whole decades. She first spotted him waiting around outside the hospital and rode the bus to his place where he gifted her a book of Dudley Randall poems. In present day, Rebecca confronts William to guard their secret, but as we all know, secrets have a way of slithering out.

What were your favorite moments from “Kyle”? 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 3

By Reed Gaudens | Jul 19, 2017