I love Miguel loving pigs in a blanket

This Is Us promised fans we’d come to love Miguel in season 2 and, reader, after “A Manny-Splendored Thing,” I do.

Early in episode 2 of This Is Us season 2, Kate and Toby are preparing for the arrival of Rebecca and Miguel in L.A. They are in town — along with Randall, Beth, Tess and Annie — for a taping of Kevin’s one-time-only return to The Manny. The visit is fraught with mother-daughter tension, and there is much to be said, written and read about how the show explores Kate and Rebecca’s complex relationship. But first: Miguel!

I love when a show gets a lil’ meta and Toby’s plea for Miguel is one such delight. Miguel can get stuff too! After Kate calls out her fiance for making pigs in a blanket, Toby explains that he’s making them because Miguel “loves these little cuties” and that “y’all” — presumably both the Pearson children and we the fans — have ignored him too long.

Behold, Toby, a certified Miguel enthusiast: “Y’all been sleeping on my boy Miguel. Miguel gets no love and I feel that pain. Miguel and I, we are simpatico. Two swarthy outsiders with exotic names.”

When Miguel and Rebecca do arrive, Miguel immediately identifies the delicious smell of pigs in a blanket and I am officially Team Miguel. Then, Toby compliments him on his very specific nose and it’s the most I’ve ever liked Toby until later in the episode when Toby gives his Team Kate speech.

"Miguel: Do I smell pigs in a blanket?Toby: Oh, Miguel, do you have a nose on you! You sure as hell do. Come on!Miguel: I love pigs in a blanket."

(Also having just watched this scene again: Toby may or may not also greet Miguel in Spanish?? Which seems like something that was almost definitely ad-libbed.)

Next: 25 This Is Us laughs that made the tears worth it

Anyways, the writers no doubt have real and actual storylines set to woo fans over to Team Miguel — after all, he’s Jack’s best friend and seems like a pretty solid dude? But, I, for one, need nothing more than to know the man loves himself some cute little crescent-roll-wrapped cocktail weiners. Justice for Miguel.