Andrew Robinson
This Is Us aired its much-anticipated season three finale on Tuesday night. What comes of it is a lot of unanswered questions (in typical TIU form), and many emotions.
Summary
Randall and Beth continue to try to work through their issues. Kevin and Zoe watch Annie and Tess, while Deja takes Randall on a mini road trip. Kevin feels fatherly. Kate and Toby look after Jack (their son), and Rebecca tries to help. In the past, Rebecca gets in a car accident. In the future, “Her” is revealed.
Analysis
“Her” is a bit disappointing. While the identity of “Her” was never in doubt due to it being revealed as “Randall’s mother” in a past episode, the reasoning for everyone visiting her – including one surprise character that is revealed in the season finale – was previously unknown. However, all is revealed in “Her.” Unfortunately, the reasoning behind the visit couldn’t be more predictable. This isn’t a huge issue, though – not everything in life is a surprise. The bigger issue to this reviewer is that the show decided to drag out the “Her” storyline for an entire season, only to end it (well, partially end it) in a reveal that just feels underwhelming and predictable. A few more questions are opened by the final moments of “Her,” but the big reveal was always going to be centered around why everyone is going to see Rebecca. This reveal is underwhelming, unworthy of an entire season of buildup.
Deja hasn’t been too present in episodes recently, but she makes the most of her opportunity for screen-time in “Her.” The speech that she gives to Randall is brilliant and, unlike several speeches in the show’s recent history, actually feels like something that a 15-year-old Deja would say. Lyric Ross deserves to be in TIU more. Here’s to hoping she is in season four.
The Randall-Beth anger storyline seems to be nearly wrapped up, and that is a relief. The storyline never made too much sense in the first place, though the show did a good job at making it more believable in last week’s “R&B.” However, it concluded (for now, at least) perfectly. This conclusion of the anger arc is the best part of the episode.
“Blockbuster isn’t going anywhere.” Oh, our naive, innocent Jack.
Kevin’s storyline makes absolutely zero sense. Zero. This man has never shown any interest in anyone besides himself and what is in his own best interest, and he hasn’t done anything to indicate that he wants anything more in life than himself, money, and possibly a wife. Spending two hours with his preteen/teenage nieces should not change his mind on such a huge issue that, need us be reminded, was only made an issue a few episodes ago because the show didn’t know what to do with Kevin’s arc after letting him get sober. He’s a 40-year-old man who is easily the most selfish, self-centered, flawed character in the show. Not much about him screams “role model.” And he’s pretty old to be having an awakening in this regard. Zoe made the right choice because this man is crazy. Well, the writers are, really. This arc couldn’t be worse.
Mandy Moore continues to impress as Rebecca, both past and present. It’s amazing how much she has grown as an actress from season one to three. In a show with many fantastic actors and actresses, Moore has entrenched herself as one of the more prominent ones, despite being tasked with, arguably, the hardest job(s). She portrays Rebecca trying to help Kate in any way possible – arguably to a fault – authentically; a lot of people can likely see their parents in Rebecca. She also does a fantastic job in the scenes that take place in the past, portraying a worried, hurt, drugged-up mother. Moore is the MVP of the episode.
Verdict
“Her” has its issues. Kevin’s storyline is brutal (and doesn’t seem to be going away any time soon), and the reveal taking place in the future is extremely underwhelming. However, it also has its successes, namely from Lyric Ross as Deja, Mandy Moore, and the Randall-Beth storyline. Being that its the season finale and it was hugely hyped, the grade scale is going to be a bit tougher. Hopefully season four can build off the successes of season three, and limit the many mistakes.
5.5/10
Check back on April 15th for my weekly reviews of the final season of Game of Thrones, which makes its heavily-anticipated return on Sunday, April 14th. If you think the writers of This Is Us have it hard, just remember that that GoT writers are tasked with ending what is perhaps the most-watched and beloved show of all-time, and have surpassed the source novels because author George R.R. Martin has yet to finish his series. I wouldn’t want that job.
