This Is Us: Kevin’s DUI and what happens next for him

Kevin Pearson was recently arrested for DUI and this is going to turn his life upside down.

In the most recent episode of This Is Us, “Number Three,” the episode wraps up with Kevin speeding down the road, looking unstable and reckless after hurriedly leaving Randall’s house. Much to our surprise and without a doubt Kevin’s as well, Tess Pearson, Randall’s oldest daughter pops up from the backseat. Right as she announces her presence, Kevin is pulled over by the police. We realize that he did, in fact, get arrested and charged with a DUI when Beth answers the phone and tells Randall she knows where Tess is, that she’s safe but was in the car with Kevin.

Kevin Pearson, I think you’ve got a problem

Getting arrested and charged with a DUI is a huge deal for anyone. In Kevin’s case, however, with his celebrity status and his life seemingly falling apart, the DUI will likely have an enormous impact on the direction Kevin goes next. If we examine the factors that led up to the arrest, we gather that Kevin has serious unresolved feelings of anger, remorse, guilt, and grief surrounding his father’s death and his relationship with him just before his passing. Kevin also potentially has the addict gene that Jack clearly had, passed down from his own alcoholic father. Kevin injuring his leg on the movie set and reliving the same frustration and loss of opportunity that he did in high school is another straw to add to the camel’s back. Not to mention the painkillers that are a direct result of the second injury. Despair, loss, and painkillers are always the perfect recipe for a disaster cocktail, straight up. And Sophie . . . Kevin, why did you have to screw things up with Sophie again? The Kevin/Sophie doorstep scene had audiences literally screaming at their televisions.

What’s next for Kevin Pearson after his arrest

Okay, so we can see how and why Kevin found himself in this self-destructive tornado of chaos, but what will happen next? My theory is that Kevin will get a ton of embarrassing publicity and maybe feel a serious threat to his career. Moreover, I believe he will face a judge that orders court-mandated rehabilitation or twelve step meetings. Both rehab and twelve-step meetings will give Kevin the opportunity to finally deal with all of his unresolved issues surrounding the loss of his dad and everything else that’s been wearing him down over the years. I predict Kevin will have to go through the steps himself. Working each step, attending meetings, making amends – many of the exact things that Kevin witnessed Jack doing. The things that Kevin’s teenage self felt confused, saddened and even embarrassment over. I think Kevin’s journey toward redemption has to come about one way or another and what better way to initiate recovery than hitting rock bottom by getting arrested for drugs and alcohol while on display to the whole world. I hope this gives Kevin the chance to begin opening up, allowing him to feel the things he’s shut off for so long, and to begin to heal. We’re rooting for you, Kev!