This Is Us Review: What Now? (Season 1 Episode 17)

We celebrate William’s life, and the mark he has left on the show within the short period of time, on This Is Us Season 1 Episode 17, “What Now?”

Losing William was pretty painful, but the show manages to keep the tone uplifting in the aftermath of his death.

We can thank sweet darlings Tess and Annie, whom William tasked with planning his memorial service because adults make it too sad (this man!).

Instead of sitting through an unbearably depressing hour, we are treated to a “fun-eral,” and a beautiful tribute to William from the people who loved him and were touched by his presence in life.

One of my favorite parts of the episode is the mailman randomly sobbing after about hearing William passing.

I like it because I buy it.

I believe that William had the impact to make anyone feel genuine sadness over his death, because he was unquestionably a beautiful soul, and the show captured his spirit in a truthful light.

Beth had the perfect words to describe him: He was endearing as hell.

The specific focus on Beth’s grief was really well done and earned. Beth and William had forged a really cool and understand relationship. They were friends. And when she thought he didn’t leave her a special goodbye, or closure like he did with his son and granddaughters, it hurt.

It was a great choice to have Beth deliver the eulogy.

It was heartfelt and sweet, and demonstrates how William graced the whole family. By the end of the episode, Beth found that William didn’t forget to say goodbye to her, as he sent her a postcard from Memphis. “You’re the daughter I never had,” he says.

Ah, this show really knows how to get you.

And Randall, who has taken William’s death as an opportunity to shape his life after what William has taught him, quits his job and decides to take it slow.

Having Randall leave his overly-demanding job to focus on his family is a good idea, and I’m interested in seeing how it will drive the story forwards next season.

Other loose ends are tied within the hour.

Randall finally forgives Rebecca for keeping William a secret all his life. It was the appropriate time, and I’m glad they were finally able to mend the relationship somewhat. However, I wish Rebecca was able to apologize to William before he died.

I don’t think she ever did, and it would have been nice.

Meanwhile, Kevin gets a second chance at his play despite ditching everyone in the last minute, and he crushes it.

In terms of my interest, the play has honestly become secondary to his relationship with Sophie, who he is officially dating. I feel we’re not exploring that angle as much as we should. I’m eager to see Sophie interact with Kate and the rest of the family, and see what those dynamics are like.

And then finally, we have Kate’s devastating admission to Toby that she struggles with the circumstances of Jack’s death because it was her fault that he died.

We are back in the mid-90s, and Rebecca is about to go on tour. The air is thin, the house is quiet,  and Jack is being distant right before Rebecca says goodbye to the family and leaves.

I never really think so much about how Jack died. I’m more interested in knowing where Jack and Rebecca were with each other when he died.

It was clear from the start that the story – Jack’s death would be gutting and hard to stomach.

I thought maybe they were separated. Maybe someone cheated and they were on the outs. Or maybe they were still together and madly in love, and Jack tragically died in the midst of their marital bliss.

What ends up becoming true is far more devastating than what I had imagined.

To think that the cold, un-Jack like, encounter with Rebecca was their very last interaction ever before he gets in a car drunk, on his way to her to make amends (on Kate’s insistence), and gets killed in an accident is just numbing.

For it to end like that is really hard to cope with.

All I can think of is Rebecca living with the memory of her and Jack having a bad moment, and that being the last moment they ever share.

I have a feeling next week’s season finale is going to be filled with promise, and will deliver an effective episode that honors Jack the way he deserves. I’m really looking forward to it.

Other final thoughts:

• Jesse also makes a brief appearance to offer Randall his condolences. Maybe it’s just the actor, but meeting Jesse made me really wish William wasn’t dying. This relationship is so odd and interesting, and I wish we could have seen more of it.
• Jack belly laughing with William in Randall’s dream was the end of me.

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

Reviewer Rating:

User Rating:

 

This Is Us airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on NBC.

Follow us on Twitter @telltaleTV_

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!