Andrew Robinson
Summary
The Pearsons gather together as they await news on Kate.
Analysis
“The Waiting Room” is an improvement over “The Graduates,” which isn’t saying much. However, the acting performances are strong, and the events of the episode are fairly believable. While at times it seems as if creator Dan Fogelman and Co. are simply creating conflicts everywhere in order to try to find some that stick with audiences, at least the episode’s conflicts are somewhat feasible, unlike in last week’s episode.
Kevin is certainly going down quite the path, and this actually seems very believable from a character perspective. He’s never been good at dealing with real-life issues and conflicts, so it makes sense that he reacts to such a tumultuous few weeks the way that he does. Justin Hartley does a good job at portraying this effectively, and even slightly compassionately.
The conflict between Beth and Randall seems very forced. Considering the fact that Randall ran for city council, continued to do so against Beth’s wishes, miraculously won (major eye roll, but whatever), but still has the audacity to complain when Beth wants to do something for herself that can help the family down the road is very unlike Randall, the man who has always told his family to pursue their dreams. Yes, the bills need to be paid somehow. However, it is extremely hypocritical for Randall to complain about this after doing what he’s done all season, and this reviewer just doesn’t see it in Randall’s character to do so. They’ll manage regardless of their money intake. They always do. Sometimes, conflict doesn’t need to occur, and this feels like one of those situations.
Poor Miguel. The man just tries and tries and tries, but he can never be accepted as a true member of the Pearson clan. He seems to be pretty likable, and the show does a good job at presenting him sympathetically, despite a super weird situation with him marrying his dead best friend’s wife, and all that fun stuff. The scenes involving him in “The Waiting Room” actually feel real, and are often funny, especially the one involving Toby. These were some of the best scenes of the episode.
As for the main event – Kate and her health – this reviewer thinks the show handles everything with care, and does a decent job at it. They wrote themselves into a corner with past episodes involving her character arc, but they pivoted and returned admirably. Chrissy Metz and Chris Sullivan are magnificent in limited screen time in “The Waiting Room,” and appear to have a major arc moving forward.
Quick shout-out to Mandy Moore, who once again is fabulous as the matriarch of the Pearson clan. She is clearly very uncomfortable sitting in the waiting room, and the viewer is told exactly why in fairly excruciating detail. Moore is fantastic in delivering this monologue, and otherwise looking extremely uncomfortable throughout the entire episode.
Verdict
“The Waiting Room” is a step up from “The Graduates,” but doesn’t blow this reviewer away, as past episodes have done. The acting performances are stellar and the main storyline of the episode – that involving Kate – is handled very well. Kevin’s storyline also is fairly well-done, and feels very believable. There is even some humor present in a heavy episode, mostly involving Miguel. However, the Randall-Beth conflict feels forced and drawn-out, bringing the episode rating down.
7.5/10
