This is Us 3x03 "Katie Girls" Episode Review
Major spoilers are included in this episode review. Read with Caution!
Three episodes in… things are moving pretty quickly in a good way. Like so much heartache is coming our way, I have no idea how these characters are going to handle the trauma.
Kate undergoes surgery to retrieve her eggs and almost doesn’t make it. It takes the younger versions of herself and her father Jack to get her back to the other side.
Randall hurts Kate’s feelings after he oversteps about what she said about being the only one “who can pass on a piece of dad”. He tries to apologize, but Kate hangs up on him. So, he travels across the country to be there for her during surgery.
The most “Jack Pearson” thing he has ever done according to Kate. They are okay again.
Also, Toby tries to open up to Randall about his depression but is interrupted by the doctor. DAMN IT!
Kevin has the least screentime during this episode, but he is determined to learn more about his dad’s time in Vietnam, which will be the central point of next week’s episode titled “Vietnam”.
Beth is the one character who stood out. This episode sheds light on the problems she has with Randall and how she is always putting her needs aside to help him. This sounds unhealthy, and we get a flashback involving William and Beth. He warns her that she can’t keep doing this—fiddling with her wedding ring—and that she has to put herself first once in awhile.
The “Jack and Rebecca” origin story was really sweet. They took chances on each other despite the risks and this is all due to Alan’s mother. Alan is Rebecca’s high school sweetheart who returned to win her back “based on a feeling”… Rebecca considers him but ultimately does not want to play space and goes after Jack… then they planned a road trip to LA.
There is a lot of symbolism going on with “doing the dishes”. Rebecca’s early childhood shows that she is supposed to do dishes because she’s a woman. Then she fights against the stigma and goes to a wood shop class, where she meets Alan.
The conversation with Alan’s mother also shows them nearby a stack of dishes, but they don’t do them.. they drink and talk instead. Finally, we show the partnership Jack and Rebecca will have when they do the dishes together as a team.
How the show utilized the dishes throughout the episode is quite fascinating. I’m surprised I picked up on that.
How are we all doing? Anxious for next week. I know I am.