Thanks.
That’s not what I would have expected after Beth and Randall were arguing over Deja, and Randall accused her of being “detached” (that was the last part I heard).
That wasn’t an episode I cared for much. I did like the tension between Randall and Beth and its (somewhat magical) resolution. And young Kevin’s breakdown because Sophie’s parents were getting divorced. But everything else was a little “eh.” Cliches about bachelor or bachelorette parties don’t interest me, and I really dislike cliches about bachelor or bachelorette parties in Las Vegas. Yuck. I couldn’t figure out why, other than utter obtuseness, Toby would have thought Las Vegas was going to be fun for his future brothers-in-law and help him bond with them.
I wasn’t that excited about last night’s episode either. I also can’t believe there are only 2 more episodes left to the season. I thought I heard earlier, maybe before this season started, that we were going to get more of Beth’s back story this year. That hasn’t really happened.
Agree that last night’s episode was lack-lustre. I was happy that Ron Howard highlighted Kevin’s work. He needed a break. I really want to know where Randall ended up in college. I guess its obvious Kate never made it to Berklee and Kevin went to community college??
I thought we understood that Randall went to Howard? There is someone who even speculates that Beth may have met (or at least seen) Jack when he continued the tour of Howard with the group and Randall went off with friends of his.
I had understood that we would see the less than perfect side of Jack. Though last night’s episode was still following the Jack is perfect path. Was interesting to see Jack and Rebecca on the roof of the house on their anniversary looking at meteors when the decision Jack made on that same roof a few years later made his fateful decision.
Not my favorite episode either. I was expecting a Vegas episode to be more fun. I did like Madison’s nicknames for Toby.
I loved the episode. Loved Beth and Randall fighting. Thought it was interesting how Randall has replicated the relationship with Beth that Jack had with Rebecca. – big-hearted/sometimes unrealistic dad who makes the mom have to be the heavy (that’s a negative take on the dynamic, but you get what I mean).
My bff and I argued about this episode last night. lol
I was just glad the episode did not make me cry. I liked the Randall/Beth conflict. It seemed realistic to me. I agree that Vegas seemed an odd choice for Kate and Toby, especially with Kevin in fresh recovery mode.
I, too, thought it was clear that Randall was going to Howard, and that he (and maybe Jack, too) briefly met Beth when he was visiting there. It’s not at all clear what Kevin or Kate did (except I don’t think Kate made it to Berklee, either).
I realized last night that I have no idea what Beth’s job is supposed to be when she’s not bringing order to Randall’s romantic universe. I know she’s some kind of professional, but I think I missed the show that filled that in.
As for seeing Jack’s negative side – we’ve seen plenty of it this season, from the alcoholism, to the jealousy (I guess that was still last season), to the lack of attention to detail, to undermining Rebecca periodically.
I liked the episode, but not the best. Interesting that both Toby and Kate do not have a strong network of friends and that Kate and Beth are not close. I fell into the manipulation that Kevin was going to slip, but was glad he didn’t and that he did well in the movie.
I also liked how the Deja story illustrates the complexity of foster care vs parental care. What is the right answer for Deja? Should Randall have given her money and should she stay with the mom? The scene with Beth talking about the issue with Kate was one of my favorites in the episode.
I also liked young Kevin as the chef. Nice to see him doing something other than football or being “popular”.
Anyone think they are laying the foundation for a future career change for Kevin?
I’d bet the Foster Care program has rules about not giving kids large amounts of rescue cash; Randall follows rules, that part just didn’t sit well with me. Call the SW.
I thought it was boring. This is what the first season was like for me. A really good show, then a yawner. I liked Kates dress in Vegas and liked the back and forth about the cosmo and Sex and the City ribbing.
Kevin was only interested in preparing the meal when he thought his parents would get a divorce if they didn’t celebrate their anniversary. Once they both confirmed they were not getting a divorce, Kevin was out of there. Seemed very selfish to me. And very consistent with Kevin at that age (and often any age from what we have seen in the show).
I agree they have shown Jack not to be perfect (I said as much several pages back). Just that people often talk about Jack as the perfect father and husband. Nothing in last night’s episode was negative about Jack at all. I am expecting to see more negative on Jack in future episodes.
I think Beth is some sort of urban planner, but I’m not sure why I have that impression. It certainly seemed like she was able to get a job immediately after Randall quit his.
I liked the Sex and the City references, too. I just looked it up and found the first episode premiered on June 6, 1998. Can’t believe it was 20 years ago!
There are only two more episodes left this season. I’m hoping to see at least a little of Jack (and his brother) in Vietnam. I’d like to see more of the Big Three after high school as well to see how Jack’s death affected their paths.
@Barbalot …and I still love cosmos, too!
I thought Beth was a lawyer. No idea why.
I also thought she was a lawyer. Somehow I thought it was mentioned, but could be totally wrong.
I didn’t take Kevin getting out of there after they said they weren’t going to divorce as selfish. I took that is him realizing the big 3 should disappear so Jack and Rebecca would find the next part of the evening that the kids planned - the meteor shower on the roof.
In the episode where Randall decided he wanted to buy the apartment building, there was mention of Beth being involved in real estate development/management.
I don’t think that it’s surprising that Beth and Kate are not close. They apparently have always lived on opposite ends of the country so their interaction would be limited.
I liked Toby in this episode, and also Kate, as I always do.
Yeah, it just always is so mouth dropping for me to read this thread and hear people’s opinions!
Like real life, some episodes are going to be a little more subtle. A little less exciting. Maybe you need to look at the episodes a little more deeply - the relationships, the nuances - don’t just look for the kleenex moments.
I loved seeing Beth WANTING to let loose and enjoy all that Vegas had to offer. Beth, the wonderful wife and mother, drinking straight out of the vodka (or whatever) bottle. I loved that Toby wanted so badly to fit in with the brothers. And so Toby to “buy some friends” to fill out the group.
I loved that Kevin called up the hotel clerk with kind instructions to please clear out the alcohol - and that they made it clear all through the show, that EVERYONE knows about Kevin’s (Manny’s) low point in life.
Very good point about the irony of the moment on the roof knowing what happens in the future.
I think if you’re looking for continual drama your best bet would be to stick with reality tv. To me this is drama at it’s best - to build a story, build moments and NOT have drama at every single turn.