This week’s episode of This Is Us, “Clouds”, deals with the aftermath of the Big Three’s trip to the family cabin. There’s a lot for them to work through individually but they start dealing with their issues for themselves, and for the other people in their lives.

Kate and Toby

In the past, the episode begins with the Big Three receiving their report cards. Kate’s report card is fine but she’s not. She’s going through her first break-up and is feeling down. After some time to wallow, Jack tells her that first boyfriends are like waffles and sometimes you have to throw out the first one before they turn out any good. 

In the present, in true Toby big romantic gesture fashion, he turns the garage into a music studio while Kate is away. Kate appreciates the gesture but remains a little bit cold towards him. Kate agrees to see Madison for brunch so she can explain why she slept with Kevin. Madison justifies sleeping with Kevin because he is more authentic than other guys and admits that she wants the kind of intimacy that Kate and Toby have. Madison begs Kate for forgiveness so they can go back to being friends. Kate reluctantly accepts her apology and puts her on probation.

Back at home, Kate and Toby take the first steps towards making amends. Kate asks to see the music studio again and Toby reveals a small studio with play instruments for Jack as well. Kate thinks this is perfect. We see Jack grow up with the music studio, singing and playing various instruments, and his disability almost disappears.

Randall

Randall receives an excellent report card—all A’s and one A-. But that A- is enough to send young Randall spiralling and insists on talking to his teacher. Rebecca notices that Randall’s anxiety is getting worse. Jack’s solution is to take Randall running around the track, igniting Randall’s future reliance on running as a coping mechanism. 

In the present, Randall starts therapy. The first session doesn’t seem to be going well as Randall is irritated by a painting, the lack of cups at the water cooler, and a hissing noise from the coffee maker. However, he openly admits that he has always struggled with anxiety and panic attacks. His therapist admits that she knows him and has seen his speeches, which annoys Randall. The two discuss Randall’s relationship with his siblings and parents but when asked about his relationship with his mother, Randall says it’s great and leaves it at that. But the therapist keeps pressing. Randall says his family would have fallen apart without him, understanding that he feels responsible for them. When the therapist questions that, Randall gets mad and leaves. 

When he gets home, Randall tells Beth therapy isn’t for him. But Beth says she needs this as much as he does. It appears that the break-in affected Beth more than we thought. Beth empties her purse, revealing pepper spray, sleeping pills, and an iPhone for Annie so Beth always knows where she is. Beth says she couldn’t tell Randall because she was afraid he’d crack. Randall accepts this and agrees to return to therapy. 

Kevin and Rebecca

Kevin’s report card is not great. He gets all C’s and two A’s, which apparently equates to $10 (Rebecca promised him $5 for every A). Kevin plans on buying baseball cards with his $10. He asks Rebecca to take him to the store after school, but Rebecca says she has too many errands to run. Kevin insists on coming with her and talks her into stopping at the store on their way home. Kevin buys fourteen packs of cards hoping to find the last player he needs to complete one set. The two of them end up having fun blowing the bubble gum and going though the packs of cards. 

In the present, it’s the day of Rebecca’s MRI results. Kevin takes Rebecca out for the day to distract her before her doctor’s appointment later that afternoon. Rebecca tells Kevin the story about Joni Mitchell writing “Our House” and how when she and Jack first came to L.A. they tried to find Joni Mitchell’s house but they never found it. Kevin decides to take Rebecca to try and find the house again and this time they succeed. This brings Rebecca so much joy and she wanders around the property singing “Our House”. Rebecca tells Kevin that she is scared about her diagnosis and thanks him for his fun, lighthearted personality that makes people forget their worries for a little while. 

Rebecca doesn’t want to go to the doctor but Kevin insists because he doesn’t want to reinforce the narrative that he’s unreliable. Miguel joins them at the doctor’s office, where the diagnosis is that Rebecca has a mild cognitive impairment, which is likely linked to Alzheimer’s. 

Rebecca clearly had a big influence on her kids, in good ways and maybe not so good ways. It was nice to see the Big Three working to repair some of the more strained relationships in their lives, even if they don’t seem too strained on screen most of the time.