Everything that happened on This Is Us Season 5, Episode 12

Beth and Madison learn to open up

While Randall is at the meeting, Beth is at home with the girls preparing for Tess’s study date with her significant other, Alex. Beth is nervous, wanting to make sure everything is perfect, which is why she’s also practicing using Alex’s preferred pronouns in casual conversation.

Upon Alex’s arrival, the introductions seem to go off without a hitch. However, after the kids head upstairs, Beth remains downstairs pacing as her mother reads on the couch.

Later on, when Deja comes downstairs to ask Beth why Tess and Alex are allowed to be in Tess’s room with the door closed, Beth rushes upstairs to check on them.

When she opens the door, she is stunned to find them making out, and when she requests that they finish “studying” downstairs, Tess’s less-than-appropriate response prompts Beth to send Alex home. Once Alex leaves, Beth and Tess have it out, and Tess tells Beth she doesn’t believe she’s learned to accept her yet. Upon heading back downstairs, Beth vents to her mother.

Thankfully, Beth’s mom is there for her, telling her that it’s hard for parents to let go of the fantasy life they believed their children would lead. However, she tells her that she must let go and adapt, otherwise, she’ll be holed up in her child’s home 20 years later trying to make up for lost time.

Following this conversation, Beth heads back upstairs. While she admonishes Tess for her behavior, she lets her know that she loves her all the same and that they will always be close, which Tess is still having a hard time believing.

Back in Los Angeles, Madison and Toby take their kids to the park and have a heart-to-heart conversation of their own. While Kevin and Madison are deep into the wedding planning, Madison tells Toby she doesn’t want to get married in the venue they’ve locked down. However, she doesn’t know how to tell him.

To lighten the burden, Toby tells Madison that he’s having a harder time being a stay-at-home-dad than he’s letting on to Kate. While Madison tells him he should tell Kate, he tells her she should be honest with Kevin. Remarkably, Madison ends up telling Kevin the truth later that night.

Unfortunately, when given the chance to come clean to Kate, Toby is tight-lipped, which suggests that this issue hasn’t been put to bed just yet.

What did you think of This Is Us Season 5, Episode 12? Let us know in the comments.

This Is Us returns next Tuesday at 9/8c on NBC.