I am still a fan. Just a bit worried that it is going to “jump the shark” if Randall easily wins the City council seat. I like how realistically they are portraying Toby’s depression, even if it is not that interesting to watch, it is real. Usually I am find with ignoring holes in the story, but for whatever reason this council run while leaving more than 2 hours away is bugging me.
I really loved that Kate and Rebecca seem to have gotten through the misfiring of their relationship. That happened with my daughter and me, pretty much on the day she graduated from college, and I am still surprised and delighted with every encounter.
This was an ok episode. I do love Randall’s character. And I would be ok with him on the city council. I think it would be more interesting if he just spent more time at the apartment building making it better. I was disappointed Beth joined the campaign. Maybe there is a story there. But she is interesting and I think the writers can do better by her. I am anxious to learn more about Jack in Vietnam and to see how Kevin uncovers the story.
I thought the Girl Scout cookie scene was completely believable. I was that mom that forgot things and always said ‘I am doing my best.’ And yes, sometimes my kids got frustrated with me since I was not a perfect parent and they were not perfect children.
Weird coincidence- Randall and Beth’s building is at 3rd and Olney. He has mentioned the intersection 3 times. I grew up exactly 1.4 miles from there. Though it’s pronounced ‘Ahlney’, not ‘Ole-ney’. Maybe someone in the neighborhood will help Randall with the pronunciation. Interesting that the writers knew enough to pick a believable location within the city. The Olney neighborhood was one of the the first neighborhoods in Philly to have a large Korean population (Koreatown).
Ah, that address is in far north Philly. Shave 5 minutes off that drive from Alpine. 
Well, this week tore me up.
I really liked how the episode had three parallel journeys. And I liked them listening to Joni Mitchell’s California. She turned 75 last week and had a big tribute show (she can no longer perform) in LA, so I wonder if including the song and a talking about her was a nod to that.
Good episode. I really like young Jack and Rebecca.
Interesting about the necklace.
I was so grateful to that soldiers parents for setting Jack straight.
I’m still not buying Kevin’s GF - I mean, I believe what she is saying but she’s just very evasive it seems about so much.
I’m also dreading finding out what happens to Jack’s brother. 
No one else watched this week? I’m surprised there aren’t more comments - I’m usually one of the last to comment!!!
Just started watching it now…
I liked the episode. Found myself choking up even more than usual! DH has sworn off watching it, but I noticed that if he comes through the room while the show is on, he sticks around for a few minutes. 
I haven’t commented because I felt like I was ticking off the people who just wanted to gush about the show. I liked young Jack and Rebecca, too – especially young Rebecca, so completely smitten and yet the warning lights flashing red all the time. We’ve known for a long time that Mandy Moore was a really good actress, but this show constantly reminds me of that. I also liked the “Pittsburgh good” cruelty of the record company A&R guy.
In my house, it’s my wife who has sworn it off, but still lingers for a few minutes if it’s on. She came in halfway this week, but then left again when the show switched back to Kevin and the new girlfriend in Vietnam. And the old Vietnam stuff was trying hard, but not convincing me.
Really enjoy the juxtaposition between present and past and the parallels between them (Kevin and Rebecca attracted to people with troubled pasts that keep things bottled up (and Kevin having a troubled past of his own. I suppose they all do.)
I think that the Vietnam stuff is going to get more interesting over time in both timeframes.
I’m finding that the show is doing a lot less “psyching the viewer out,” setting up assumptions and then doing a complete 180, keeping the viewer in suspense over time. It’s a bit less compelling in that respect.
Loved the shout-out to Joni Mitchell!
I liked this week’s episode, but as so many have speculated, I think they are just laying a foundation for revealing all of the VIetnam story with Jack & his brother. As for Kevin and the girlfriend, I have Beth in my head talking about how damaged she is and I just don’t see that relationship going the distance. All of that mess should be an interesting reveal for them.
Regarding Kevin’s new girlfriend. I really like that he is caring towards her and takes care of her. I didn’t see that side of him with Sophie or any other women he dated.
Am I the only one who thinks Zoe is pregnant?
@Chedva I guess it’s possible, but I think she was sick from the bad bat soup she ate that Kevin wouldn’t try.
I wondered that too, but then thought that the writers may be trying to play with us again.
I really liked it this week. I teared up when Jack started to cry. Mandy’s singing was great as usual. But I want to see the whole gang. I missed not seeing Toby and Kate and Randall. I like seeing the characters played by their child characters. I definitely like seeing young Jack and Rebecca together.
Maybe I’m the only one, but Jack gets on my nerves sometimes. I find the character overly earnest and a bit of a martyr - or perhaps it is the way the actor portays it. Just seems too heavy handed to me at times.