This Is Us season 1, episode 4, “The Pool,” showed us that despite our best efforts sometimes you need help from people even if you don’t want it.
Poolside manners
This wasn’t just a glimpse of how Jack and Rebecca were doing at raising three kids at once. This was a deep insight into Randall’s story which, in my opinion, tied heavily into his arc as an adult this episode.
Last week we learned Rebecca had trouble bonding and caring for Randall because he was so foreign to her, this week that was juxtaposed with her unconditional love for him at the pool. Although naive about Randall’s needs, Rebecca has grown leaps and bound since trying to get him to breastfeed as a baby. It’s clear that this is a mother who loves her child, she just needs to be educated on his needs.
When given the opportunity to learn how to take care of her son Rebecca declined and retaliated, taking the opinion of the woman by the pool as a sort of attack or judgement. I don’t blame her, as I assume this is not the first time she’s faced derogatory comments for Randall’s adoption (and it will not be the last), but I am happy to see her open up to the help the woman gave her.
The fact that Randall wanted to go to this pool so he could interact with other African-American kids says a ton about how he feels growing up in a white family in a white neighborhood. I don’t think Rebecca or Jack ever realized before this moment how out of place Randall has felt, and I’m so happy to see them learn.
Additionally, these scenes helped us provide insight into Kevin’s inner turmoil, which is something we need because on the outside he is this attractive, successful actor. Without knowing his inner demons it’d be hard to sympathize with him compared to his brother and sister, who honestly do have bigger problems than quitting from a TV show and being a household name.
It’s not surprising that Kate’s weight or Randall’s position in the family are concerns that started when they were kids, and I guess in turn it shouldn’t be surprising that Kevin feels like the ignored, middle child.
Some people would say that Kevin has no right to feel left out because unlike his siblings he isn’t dealing with insecurities about what he looks like. Some people would say that Kevin should shut up and let his parents help his siblings because they need it and he doesn’t. I wouldn’t say that.
I think this episode has done a great thing with everyone’s story lines. It’s shown us that just because you don’t have concerns about your appearance or how the public sees you, doesn’t mean your concerns are any less valid. We all have a need to be seen. We have a need to be loved, and noticed and cared about. That is Kevin’s fight, and it started from childhood so it’s no wonder that as an adult he still clings to his sister for validation that he matters.
Broadway bound
Speaking of Kevin, let’s just talk about his terrible audition for a minute. From the moment he walked into that room and opened his mouth I was talking to myself telling him to shut up, as if he could hear me. He insulted the playwright and gave them the first impression that he was actually trying to avoid, and it was so, so awkward.
Then he runs into the main actress of the show who auditioned with him and they have a conversation that ends in him actually getting the job. If it wasn’t for the line “Plus I think The Manny would sell tickets” I would have just not believed this arc at all.
I would understand the personal connection but based off his audition it’s a shocker they were even considering him. I was honestly expecting him to fail at Broadway and move back to LA. But hey, it’s show business — it’s not about what you know, it’s about who you know.
Kate, Kate, Kate
In which we are Kate, and Kate is us.
I don’t blame Kate for being insecure after finding out the type of woman that Toby was previously married to. I have my own relationship insecurities, I think we all do, so it’s normal that Kate would be jealous and feel like she can’t meet the expectations his previous wife set, in terms of body type at least.
But the great thing about Toby is that he doesn’t want Kate to meet those expectations. He’s not expecting her to look like his ex-wife nor does he want her to. He told Kate how terrible of a woman his ex-wife was and how she was the reason for him gaining so much weight. Suddenly Kate’s insecurities don’t matter because we all know Kate is not that kind of woman, and that she has things to offer Toby that his ex-wife never did.
Stranger in the neighborhood
Randall’s present day story tied in to the episode’s flashback perfectly. I’ve already talked about Randall’s growth as a child but I would be remiss to ignore the developments he and William made tonight.
I really, truly wanted to slap the racist neighbors in the neighborhood who called security on William. He was going through an innocent walk to smell the roses (which is the cutest thing ever) and he gets called out for loitering.
This is such a great commentary for how prominent racism still is in our society, and hearing about how Randall had to live through what William went through every day of his life was truly touching. This episode proved that sometimes you can never get away from the concerns you had as a kid about self-perception and belonging somewhere, but you can fight back against them.