This Is Us Review: Last Christmas (Season 1 Episode 10)

Nothing ever bad happens on Christmas Eve.

On This Is Us Season 1 Episode 10, “Last Christmas,” this adage serves as a promise, a prayer, and another sentiment passed on by the Pearsons.

In the fall finale, the past timeline is mostly a backdrop for the present-day scenes. In the ’80s, it is Christmas Eve, and young Kate is taken to the hospital to have her appendix taken out.

When Kate is wheeled out to surgery, the Pearsons later find Dr. K, the obstetrician who delivered Kevin and Kate, as a patient awaiting surgery himself.

Rebecca and Jack, happy to see him, sit by his bedside. Then, Randall comes in and gifts Dr. K with a snow globe. It’s a really lovely scene, mainly because I think Dr. K is a great paternal figure for both Rebecca and Jack, and they credit him as being responsible for their family.

As expected, both Kate and Dr. K are fine after their respective surgeries (because nothing bad happens on Christmas Eve).

In the present-day, there is another great scene, this time between Kate and Rebecca. It has been implied numerous times things are difficult between the mother and daughter because of the ever-looming elephant in the room: Kate’s weight.

Food plays a particularly significant role in the shaping of their relationship.

I don’t think we’ve seen Rebecca so out-of-touch with one of her kids before. Yes, she’ll neglect to remember the name of the play Kevin is doing, but that doesn’t compare to the things Kate reveals in this episode.

Rebecca was completely unaware that Kate was taking Prozac and that she still has binge-eating episodes. What makes it even more heartbreaking is that in the ’80s, Rebecca is the caring mother that Kate needs.

Their scene in the car is hopeful. Rebecca wonders if she is the cause for Kate’s emotional problems and detrimental eating habits, to which Kate admits she doesn’t know.

This could potentially be a well-told story if done right. I would love to see this relationship explored in-depth.

Meanwhile, we find William at a support group, talking about how grateful he is for having found his son, and for having a real family that cares about him. Also at the support group is Jesse, William’s ex-lover. William being gay (or bi, as Tess astutely points out later) is a revelation that totally comes out of left field but is welcomed all the same.

The more we learn about William and his life, the harder it gets to think about his impending death. It makes me wonder why spend so much time giving this man a colored past if he’s going to die soon.

If we could miraculously keep William in the fold by having him cured somehow, I’d be willing to suspend disbelief, because this character has really become an integral part of the show.

Kevin and Sloane’s scenes at the Hanukkah dinner verge on sweet and endearing, but at the same time are sort of bizarre. Is that it for Olivia? Are we going this way now, with Kevin and the mousey playwright? She’s more likable them Olivia, I’ll give her that.

Something else that’s kind of bizarre: Randall’s encounter with a suicidal colleague during a holiday work party.

The scene is pretty strange, and its purpose feels too on the nose. As Randall talks the colleague down, he predictably gains a new appreciation for his family, despite his mother’s lies.

Afterwards, Randall and Beth get back home with the girls, and soon, the whole gang begins to arrive, even Toby, who declares his love for Kate in front of the whole family.

In a love-filled montage, we see the family celebrate and enjoy each other’s company, and it’s great — except Jack’s not there.

I’m starting to think that maybe killing Jack off wasn’t the best idea.

The one thing that is glaringly missing during the Christmas gathering is Jack, whose absence is deeply felt.

It hurt to see him omitted from the family bonding session, and to have Miguel, who doesn’t actually bother me anymore, in his place (that snowman scene was kind of sweet and funny).

So something has to go wrong on Christmas Eve, right? And just like that, the happy night is disrupted when Toby collapses to the floor.

I find it cheap when finales end with a character’s life in jeopardy, especially when you are all but certain they will be completely fine when the show returns.

Toby most likely is fine, but what this means for Kate and for the rest of the show will be interesting to see.

Other final thoughts:

• It was cute how young Kevin was holding on to his right side as though he was feeling his sister’s pain. A drop of twintuition there.
• I love the symmetry of Jack looking at the sea of gifts under the tree and wondering to Rebecca if they bought too many gifts, with Randall asking the same thing to Beth towards the end of the episode.
• Randall’s reaction to finding out William is gay is priceless.

What did you think of this episode of This Is Us? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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This Is Us returns January 10, 2017 on NBC.

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