So I was a mess this episode from the time William paid his respects to Jack at the tree until the end, especially when William had Randall take out the "Poems for my Son." Seeing the relationship between Randall and him just made my heart so happy, even though they both knew this was the last hurrah. It was nice to chuckle a bit at drunk Randall given the undertone of the episode. I was also intermittently mad throughout the episode at Rebecca for depriving Randall of this relationship for so long. The flashbacks of William's upbringing was a nice way to come full circle in his character. I also really loved that song that him and the band played!
I'm glad that Randall took time off of work to recoop; he definitely needed it. And seeing him take William's advice at the end about rolling the windows down and turning the music up makes me think that something's going to change with his "always has it together" persona, which I think would be for the better.
I think that William's passing is opening up the storyline to tell about Jack's passing, which is kind of indicated in the previews for next week. But of course, they're probably going to drag it out through a few episodes.
I can't handle this episode. I was balling, I've been in denial about William dying. I loved how we got to know everything about William in this episode. My favorite part was when Randall was holding William's face and telling him to breath at the end. I love the relationship that Randall had with William and I think this will allow him to put other parts of his work life into perspective. I'm almost in tears now at work just thinking about it
@szwill86 great point! This is probably open up the storyline about Jack. When they were showing scenes from next week and Jack was in the bar and looked to be flirting with the waitress I was sooooo upset!
I have a feeling I am going to be in the minority but I just felt so bored watching this episode! There were moments I was emotional but I just had no attachment to it. I did enjoy the scene where they visited Jack. I found it interesting that Kate has Jack's ashes. I thought that have a bit more insight as to her relationship with her dad and their closeness. And I enjoyed the scene in the hospital where he was telling William to breathe, just like jack did to help him through his panic attacks.
So I was a mess this episode from the time William paid his respects to Jack at the tree until the end, especially when William had Randall take out the "Poems for my Son."
Darnit! I always get stuck in these quotes!!
But THIS!! Every time I thought my sobbing was over, it started again!!
@sgrant432 I'm in the minority with you. I found myself wondering if they'd show any of the other character's story lines at any point because I was ready for a topic change. I mean, sure, there were parts that I found interesting but overall, it was boring-ish.
I was happy to hear Randall went and got treatment. I liked how Randall was so excited to meet cousins he never knew. I found myself thinking a lot about DH in this episode because he was adopted at birth and knows nothing about his biological parents or family.
I knew Kate had Jack's ashes since she had Toby "meet" him when watching the football game but I figured they'd divided them up between the kids.
Anyway, I'm ready to get back next week to the other storylines.
***TW in Siggy*** Me: 34 / DH: 33 Married: Nov 2011 TTC #1: Jan 2013, BFP Sept 2013, DD: June 2014 TTC #2: Aug 2016, BFP Nov 2016, DS: August 2017
I'm with @sgrant432 and @bumpybump I thought it was just because I've been sick with a cold & have medicine head, but I was also not really into the episode. I didn't even cry, which is unusual for me. We knew this episode was coming, so maybe that dulled the emotions for me.
I am very much looking forward to seeing how William's death will affect Randall's life. I'm also eager to get back to the other storylines.
Yeah I feel like it's a little too close to the season finale to only be focusing on one character storyline. I was disappointed that we didn't get anything to piggyback on last week with the rest of the characters.
I was very emotional about William dying. I'm surprised they didn't wait until the last episode but I guess I'm happy we have some resolution about it. It was sweet that he got to live it his last moments in the place that was his whole life.
Aww, I guess I get to be dirty lurky McLurkerson who really loved it!
I went to school for music and always lurvvvved hanging out at all those divey jazz bars. I got a kick out of seeing the costume changes as the band played William's song, and the crowds getting bigger, too... That was just so cool. I also appreciated seeing how when he met Randall's mom, he was still just that good kid showing up in town to help his mother. Losing a loved one is not an excuse, but it's satisfying to see how that happened, between his gf spending time with the neighbours, getting high, having just lost his momma, ...so that's where he went. So sad. And really, he's lucky to have lived that long to get clean and have a relationship with his son at all! I think he has shown this whole time that he knows it, too, his gratitude for that second chance woth his son. So that whole thing really was cool to see play out, I thought.
I am apparently in the minority too where when Randall held his face and breathed with him at the end, I struggled not so see it as super corny and on the nose, but whatever. :p
***total loser-face pity-party in spoiler***
<div class=" Spoiler">What was really hard for me this episode honestly, was not being ku and seeing William's mom with baby William. Ughh, just pulled right at my heartstrings. My mom always sang that song to me, too. And then seeing her pass on with her son there, seeing William pass on with his son there, that was all I could think about is how depressing if we never get to have kids. :'(</div><p>But yeah, it will be cool to see how maybe his father's passing could actually impact Randall's character in a <i>positive</i> way, instead of a negative one, like it did William. That should be cool.</p>
I think need to rewatch it again. It didn't keep my attention. Maybe it was me knowing William was going to die and wanting to avoid seeing it? I do feel like something was missing without the other characters. I watched it On Demand, so I couldn't fast forward through commercials and it lost my attention. I think the best (and saddest part) was watching William's life flash before his eyes. I wish he and Randall had more time together.
It's funny how it's the little things in life that mean the most...not where you live, or what you drive, or the price tag on your clothes... There's no dollar sign on a piece of mind, this I've come to know! *ZBB*
I really liked the episode. I feel like the other siblings have gotten their individual episodes where they got to be the focus, so I was glad Randall got his. I cried off and on the whole episode because it was so sweet that Randall got some closure with his dad.
I'll also be honest that I was glad to have a break from Mandy Moore's character because she stresses me out. Maybe it's because they've made Jack into some sort of a saint, but could they make the mom more likeable? Please?
<blockquote class="Quote"> <div><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank">SpotConlon</a> said:</div> <div>I really liked the episode. I feel like the other siblings have gotten their individual episodes where they got to be the focus, so I was glad Randall got his. I cried off and on the whole episode because it was so sweet that Randall got some closure with his dad.
<b>I'll also be honest that I was glad to have a break from Mandy Moore's character because she stresses me out.</b> Maybe it's because they've made Jack into some sort of a saint, but could they make the mom more likeable? Please?</div> </blockquote> Lol This. I don't think I had put my finger on it before but omg totally. Also, wasnt she like some little Dinsey-esque teeny-bopper starlette? When did she get OLD? It's throwing me off, and I feel like that must mean <i>I'm</i> old. Plus I just said "teeny-bopper" wth!?@?
ETA but I'm also mad at Jack right now for flipping out on her and going to their booth by himself so.... :/ she shouldn't have kept it from him, and the band guy's a total douche, but still.
Even though I cried like a baby at the end of the episode, I'm blaming it on hormones, haha. The episode was really touching, especially the flashbacks to William's mother. I'm really hoping that Randall will use what he just went through to live his life the best he can. And part of me wonders if Randall and Beth talking to their daughters about William's death will bring up details about Jack's death.
Jumping on the Jack/Rebecca bandwagon, I'm getting a little irritated with how Rebecca is being portrayed. She's a stay-at-home mom of three kiddos and trying to figure out who she is outside of being a mom, so why make her out to be the bad guy in the marriage? I get that Jack works hard and supports the family fully, but I'm sure he's not the saint that everyone thinks he is... All couples have arguments that blow up but most people don't ditch their spouse to eat alone on a special day.
@BusinessWife I'm with you. It made me bawl like a little baby.
I had a grandmother that I took care of at the end of her life and she died from cancer and it just hit me in that spot that brought up many memories.
I enjoyed the story line and that it took the time to show Randall and his father having these special moments before he passed. I think I would have disliked it if it didn't go through everything and just showed William dying. I thought it was emotional and on point.
I'm super emotional too though, so who knows, haha!
@BusinessWife - Mandy Moore is actually only 32! I was like "she may be pushing 40, but I' not buying her as a 60+ grandmother in this show" and needed to look further into it. Did you know she's actually younger than Randall, Kate and Kevin in present-day?!
Anyway, I did like the episode, and I liked getting to know William's upbringing, but I was a little disappointed we didn't get more story-line from the previous episode. I was sad William died, but we all knew it was coming eventually. I'm glad Randall got to know some family ... Randall is probably my favourite character.
@SpotConlon I agree. I don't think she's that believable as an older parent at all. Just making her hair short and giving her glasses with some different clothes doesn't do it for me. I'm older than her!!
It's funny how it's the little things in life that mean the most...not where you live, or what you drive, or the price tag on your clothes... There's no dollar sign on a piece of mind, this I've come to know! *ZBB*
Well I'm way behind and just finished watching this episode. I was hysterical. I knew from when it started that this was THE episode. I've felt really connected to the whole Randall/William storyline. I, too, was adopted and found my biological mother when she had stage 4 cancer and was given 6 months. She lived 2.5 years after that, and we had one hell of a rocky relationship, especially compared to Randall and William. My bio mom just passed in October, and seeing this episode just brought back all those feelings. I'm really really going to miss William. I loved him, and I really hope we see lasting change in Randall frkm their relationship! @bumpybump as much as I liked this episode, I did kinda miss the going back and forth between all the characters. @SpotConlon yesss!!! I love Mandy Moore (walk to remember addict), but I just don't like her character. I don't know if it's because she seems like a terrible person compared to jack, or bc we don't have Jack's full story yet, idk!
Re: This is Us Discussion - "Memphis" 2/21
I'm glad that Randall took time off of work to recoop; he definitely needed it. And seeing him take William's advice at the end about rolling the windows down and turning the music up makes me think that something's going to change with his "always has it together" persona, which I think would be for the better.
I think that William's passing is opening up the storyline to tell about Jack's passing, which is kind of indicated in the previews for next week. But of course, they're probably going to drag it out through a few episodes.
@szwill86 great point! This is probably open up the storyline about Jack. When they were showing scenes from next week and Jack was in the bar and looked to be flirting with the waitress I was sooooo upset!
I did enjoy the scene where they visited Jack. I found it interesting that Kate has Jack's ashes. I thought that have a bit more insight as to her relationship with her dad and their closeness.
And I enjoyed the scene in the hospital where he was telling William to breathe, just like jack did to help him through his panic attacks.
I was happy to hear Randall went and got treatment. I liked how Randall was so excited to meet cousins he never knew. I found myself thinking a lot about DH in this episode because he was adopted at birth and knows nothing about his biological parents or family.
I knew Kate had Jack's ashes since she had Toby "meet" him when watching the football game but I figured they'd divided them up between the kids.
Anyway, I'm ready to get back next week to the other storylines.
***TW in Siggy***
Me: 34 / DH: 33
Married: Nov 2011
TTC #1: Jan 2013, BFP Sept 2013, DD: June 2014
TTC #2: Aug 2016, BFP Nov 2016, DS: August 2017
I am very much looking forward to seeing how William's death will affect Randall's life. I'm also eager to get back to the other storylines.
I was very emotional about William dying. I'm surprised they didn't wait until the last episode but I guess I'm happy we have some resolution about it. It was sweet that he got to live it his last moments in the place that was his whole life.
Drunk Randall was awesome.
5.5.16 | 8.14.17 | 1.30.19
@PinkPrincessPiper I didn't even cry either and I usually am a mess with this show.
I went to school for music and always lurvvvved hanging out at all those divey jazz bars. I got a kick out of seeing the costume changes as the band played William's song, and the crowds getting bigger, too... That was just so cool. I also appreciated seeing how when he met Randall's mom, he was still just that good kid showing up in town to help his mother. Losing a loved one is not an excuse, but it's satisfying to see how that happened, between his gf spending time with the neighbours, getting high, having just lost his momma, ...so that's where he went. So sad. And really, he's lucky to have lived that long to get clean and have a relationship with his son at all! I think he has shown this whole time that he knows it, too, his gratitude for that second chance woth his son. So that whole thing really was cool to see play out, I thought.
I am apparently in the minority too where when Randall held his face and breathed with him at the end, I struggled not so see it as super corny and on the nose, but whatever. :p
***total loser-face pity-party in spoiler***
<div class=" Spoiler">What was really hard for me this episode honestly, was not being ku and seeing William's mom with baby William. Ughh, just pulled right at my heartstrings. My mom always sang that song to me, too. And then seeing her pass on with her son there, seeing William pass on with his son there, that was all I could think about is how depressing if we never get to have kids. :'(</div><p>But yeah, it will be cool to see how maybe his father's passing could actually impact Randall's character in a <i>positive</i> way, instead of a negative one, like it did William. That should be cool.</p>
@BusinessWife I feel you, lady.
TTC 9/2016 BFP 12/9/16 EDD 8/21/17 NMC 1/8/16 at 7w6d
TTC 2/2017 BFP 3/6/17 EDD 11/17/17 DS born 11/25/17 via ECS
TTC 12/2018 BFP 6/2/19 EDD 2/12/20 NMC / BO at 7 weeks, low progesterone
TTC 7/2019 BFP 8/21/19 EDD 4/22/20 CP at 5 weeks
TTC 8/19 IUI #1 w/ Clomid + Ovidrel + progesterone BFN, IUI 2 and 3 w/ Letrozole + Ovidrel + progesterone,
IUI 4 Follistim + Ovidrel + progesterone BFP 1/9/20 EDD 9/18/20
AMA, ITP in pregnancy, vWD type II - low Factor VIII, unexplained RPL and secondary infertility
I'll also be honest that I was glad to have a break from Mandy Moore's character because she stresses me out. Maybe it's because they've made Jack into some sort of a saint, but could they make the mom more likeable? Please?
<div><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank">SpotConlon</a> said:</div>
<div>I really liked the episode. I feel like the other siblings have gotten their individual episodes where they got to be the focus, so I was glad Randall got his. I cried off and on the whole episode because it was so sweet that Randall got some closure with his dad.
<b>I'll also be honest that I was glad to have a break from Mandy Moore's character because she stresses me out.</b> Maybe it's because they've made Jack into some sort of a saint, but could they make the mom more likeable? Please?</div>
</blockquote>
Lol This. I don't think I had put my finger on it before but omg totally. Also, wasnt she like some little Dinsey-esque teeny-bopper starlette? When did she get OLD? It's throwing me off, and I feel like that must mean <i>I'm</i> old. Plus I just said "teeny-bopper" wth!?@?
ETA but I'm also mad at Jack right now for flipping out on her and going to their booth by himself so.... :/ she shouldn't have kept it from him, and the band guy's a total douche, but still.
@NYTino24. ((((Hugs)))) you'll get there... ❤
Jumping on the Jack/Rebecca bandwagon, I'm getting a little irritated with how Rebecca is being portrayed. She's a stay-at-home mom of three kiddos and trying to figure out who she is outside of being a mom, so why make her out to be the bad guy in the marriage? I get that Jack works hard and supports the family fully, but I'm sure he's not the saint that everyone thinks he is... All couples have arguments that blow up but most people don't ditch their spouse to eat alone on a special day.
I had a grandmother that I took care of at the end of her life and she died from cancer and it just hit me in that spot that brought up many memories.
I enjoyed the story line and that it took the time to show Randall and his father having these special moments before he passed. I think I would have disliked it if it didn't go through everything and just showed William dying. I thought it was emotional and on point.
I'm super emotional too though, so who knows, haha!
#1 - DD: 7/5/12
#2 - DS: 5/21/14
#3 - EDD: 8/25/17
Anyway, I did like the episode, and I liked getting to know William's upbringing, but I was a little disappointed we didn't get more story-line from the previous episode. I was sad William died, but we all knew it was coming eventually. I'm glad Randall got to know some family ... Randall is probably my favourite character.
I didn't cry during the episode until those little ducks crossed the street when Randall was driving home! Ahhh the tears.
TTC 9/2016 BFP 12/9/16 EDD 8/21/17 NMC 1/8/16 at 7w6d
TTC 2/2017 BFP 3/6/17 EDD 11/17/17 DS born 11/25/17 via ECS
TTC 12/2018 BFP 6/2/19 EDD 2/12/20 NMC / BO at 7 weeks, low progesterone
TTC 7/2019 BFP 8/21/19 EDD 4/22/20 CP at 5 weeks
TTC 8/19 IUI #1 w/ Clomid + Ovidrel + progesterone BFN, IUI 2 and 3 w/ Letrozole + Ovidrel + progesterone,
IUI 4 Follistim + Ovidrel + progesterone BFP 1/9/20 EDD 9/18/20
AMA, ITP in pregnancy, vWD type II - low Factor VIII, unexplained RPL and secondary infertility
@bumpybump as much as I liked this episode, I did kinda miss the going back and forth between all the characters.
@SpotConlon yesss!!! I love Mandy Moore (walk to remember addict), but I just don't like her character. I don't know if it's because she seems like a terrible person compared to jack, or bc we don't have Jack's full story yet, idk!