Randall (Sterling K. Brown) is completing the list of reasons on why he's mad at Rebecca (Mandy Moore), William (Ron Cephas Jones) and even his wife. Rebecca is leading with 22 points, leaving Randall's father and Beth (Susan Kelechi Watson) behind. "My mother is the one who betrayed me," says Randall explaining that he'll read this list to Rebecca later.
The Big Three family is shown in their past, shopping for groceries together. Randall (Lonnie Chavis) is actively trying to find his biological parents, talking to strangers. His determination back in those days is consistent with his feelings in the present, as the viewers realize his frustration and feeling of being fooled for all these years. Rebecca refuses to understand that Randall may have questions: "We are his parents… We give him absolutely everything," she says to Jack, and this reasoning is strong enough for Rebecca to hide the truth about meeting William both from Jack (Milo Ventimiglia) and Randall. Later during the conversation with their friend Yvette (Ryan Michelle Bathe), Jack and Rebecca are told that Randall needs blackmail role models to see himself in them. Jack doesn't leave much hope to find Randall's parents, arguing with Rebecca about his idea to hire detective. Jack wants Randall to have an understanding if who he is, with Rebecca against all his ideas. She meets William at his place, surprising him with sudden appearance. Rebecca tells him about Randall's desire to meet his birth parents, making William enthusiastic about seeing his son. When Rebecca realizes she might be abandoned if Randall meets his biological father, she makes a decision to prevent this opportunity. She knows that together with Jack they can be enough for Randall.
Kate (Chrissy Metz) explains to Kevin (Justin Hartley) about her sudden decision to get her stomach operated on, which Kevin doesn't take seriously. Her point is that she wants to live her life now, without counting calories on every step. After she finds out the Rebecca is going to sell their family cabin, she suggests they should take a trip to this place with Randall. While they are driving there, Kevin can't hide this excitement about his relationship with Olivia (Janet Montgomery). Thus, he invites Olivia and her friends to have fun at this place. She leaves no chance for Olivia to catch up with her when it becomes clear that one of the friends is Olivia's ex. The situation gets awkward when Randall starts having visions after drinking a smoothie with special ingredients for imagination. He sees his dad, Jack, and they have a heart-to-heart conversation about his childhood. Randall reveals he feels like a "replacement for [their] dead baby." Jack tells Randall there's no way to change the past, and what Randall wants to do now matters. Jack explains to Randall that Rebecca has always been afraid of losing him, keeping her anxiety inside.
Meanwhile, Olivia tell Kate she shouldn't be afraid of change after her stomach surgery. Kevin seems to back Olivia's point, but after having a conversation with her friend, Sloan (Milana Vayntrub), who reveals that she hates Olivia, he finds out she may not be the person he thinks she is. He later sees Olivia in a romantic scene with her ex, and tells her that she isn't able to handle real feelings. When she and her ex are left, Kevin calls it a "Brexit." Kevin later finds Kate in the woods ruminating on her decision to break up with Toby (Chris Sullivan) and getting rid of her weight. Kevin tells Kate she shouldn't doubt her decision, and that he's there to support her.
In the morning, Kevin appears to spend the night with Sloan, who was left alone after her ex and Olivia hurried away. Randall comes to Rebecca with an understanding of her loneliness and struggle for all these years. He isn't ready to forget about her lie, but there's a chance for reconciliation on Christmas.
Reach Staff Reporter Mariia Kovaleva here.
Annenberg Media