It’s fitting that on 2/22/22, THIS IS US has a PART 2 episode title, and it only works 1/2 of the time. Since this week focuses on two leads, I will split my review into 2.
PART 1: THE MANNY REBOOT 🤮
Kevin (Justin Hartley) is left “on-call” metaphorically in an episode that has him not doing much unless you count him growing to realize he broke Madison’s (Caitlin Thompson) heart. But, of course, audiences have known this for a while now. This makes the slow flashback and present-day Kevin learning moments even more tedious. Heck, even the lovable Rebecca (Mandy Moore) scenes left a bad store-bought pie taste in my mouth. It’s an eventful build-up to whatever the Thanksgiving episode will bring.
PART 2: OUR LITTLE ISLAND GIRL 🤩
I needed this type of cry tonight. As a parent-to-be, watching Randall (Sterling K. Brown) and Beth (Susan Kelechi Watson) support each other is always the perfect marriage inspiration.
Yet, what tonight was really about was Beth, “the little island girl, who danced before she walked,” taking her power back from a man. And whoa, did her story ever come full circle. Watching Beth learn that “there’s power in the wings” was her defining moment in the series. It was also sweet to see Randall’s thoughtful reaction to her moment. Again, if I had a vision board for what type of marriage I aspire to have – these two would be on it.Â
To sum it up:
- PART 1: “Should’ve gone over the cliff,” THELMA AND LOUISE style.
- PART 2: Turned in one of the best Beth episodes yet and proves that Susan Kelechi Watson “cannot disappoint” us.
It’s available on NBC/Peacock.
