It's time for Rebecca (Mandy Moore) and Jack (Milo Ventimiglia) to decorate a Christmas tree, with the help from little Kate (Mackenzie Hancsicsak), whom Rebecca blames for eating cookies made for Santa. The boys have an argument about money, while Jack encourages them to think about Christmas deeply, but they say "It's about Jesus stuff." Kate complains about her stomach pain, which appears to be a problem with her appendix. It seems like the Big Three Family will spend Christmas at the hospital. Rebecca runs into Dr. K (Gerald McRaney), the doctor who delivered Kevin and Kate. He thinks that he's dying, while his family is far away. Rebecca and Jack stay with him recalling some memorable moments in his life. Randall (Lonnie Chavis) buys a snow globe, while Kevin (Parker Bates) is going to pray for Kate's wellbeing (and yes, earlier he was ironically calling Christmas "Jesus stuff"). It appears that Randall's snow globe is for the Dr. K, who also inspired Randall's adoption. "It lights up," says Randall to the doctor, and shows him the magic of this light.
Meanwhile, in the present, Olivia's disappearance after the conflict in the cabin makes Kevin (Justin Hartley) and Sloane (Milana Vayntrub), the author of the play, devastated about the performance cancelation. Sloan blames Kevin for this, and suggests he should join her on the family dinner on Christmas Eve, saying "You owe me" to him. "I told my mom I'm dating the Manny," she says, revealing the reason for her plea. Now Sloane's image is a woman who always needs to convince her mother of her success in career and love. To heat things up, the viewers are reminded that Sloane and Kevin spent a night together, so there's little hope for the beginning of a romance. At the family dinner, when Sloane is telling a traditional Christmas story for the kids, Kevin comes up with an idea to produce their play, with Sloane as a lead actress. Interestingly, Sloane's mother seems to be excited, even asking Sloane to show Kevin the tape with her acting in high school. "I believe in us. Do you?" Kevin asks Sloane, and she seems to share his mood.
In the meantime, Kate (Chrissy Metz) is at a doctor's appointment, planning her gastric bypass surgery. Rebecca is also there, frightened by possible consequences of the surgery. Kate reveals that she was on Prosac earlier, making Rebecca realize that she knows a little about her daughter's hardships with food. She drives Kate home and asks her whether it's her fault that Kate has problems. "Did I do this to you?" she asks, and Kate isn't sure about the right answer. The tension goes away, as they remember that "Nothing bad ever happens on Christmas Eve."
William (Ron Cephas Jones) gives a speech at a meeting with people who gave up drugs, as he did. He knows that this Christmas Eve is his last one, and he's grateful for a chance to be with his son when the night will turn to Christmas day. The next person to speak appears to be his past lover, Jessie (Denis O'Hare), whom he left alone when Randall entered his house and welcomed William to his family. Later, they talk and William admits he shouldn't have run off back then, but he wanted to spare his partner. His partner suggests they should spend the remaining time together, and William doesn't mind.
Meanwhile, Randall (Sterling K. Brown) is at corporate party with his wife, Beth (Susan Kelechi Watson), on Christmas Eve, wondering what made almost everyone cancel their family dinner. Later, Randall has a tough conversation with his friend, Andy (Jimmi Simpson), who was going to commit suicide before Randall found him on the rooftop. He explains to Randall that his life is falling apart: he cheated on his wife repeatedly during the year, ruined his marriage, his career is gone and now he has no idea how to deal with it alone. Randall has a hard task to talk Andy out of killing himself, and succeeds. There's a chance for every viewer to get something from their conversation, whether it's about love, forgiveness or bravery to fight through life's hardships.
In the end, the family comes together at Randall's house. Randall sees Rebecca for the first time since their conflict. Toby (Chris Sullivan) makes an appearance to tell Kate he's going to get back to dieting, if it's the only way to be with her. Kevin comes with Sloane, and the two seems happy with each other. William brings Jessie to celebrate Christmas Eve at his son's house, confusing Randall, whose daughter, Eris (Tess Pearson), makes things clear, saying "Grandpa's gay. Or at least bi." The pictures of family celebration are intertwined with intercuts from the past, showing the Big Three Family spending Christmas Eve in a hospital. Surprisingly, these flashbacks appear to be connected closely to the present, as the celebration at Randall's house ends up with Toby being operated in a hospital. We still hope that nothing bad happens on Christmas Eve.
Reach Staff Reporter Mariia Kovaleva here.
Annenberg Media