This Is Us Review: Katie Girls (Season 3 Episode 3)

This Is Us Season 3 Episode 3, “Katie Girls,” delivers an unflinching installment that does such a brilliant job of displaying its flaws that the Pearsons’ imperfections make for one perfect hour of television.

This is not the kind of episode that could have been done in Season 1 or even Season 2. This is an episode that is only as good as the audience’s investment in its characters — and as time has shown we are hooked.

There has always been a certain beauty in This Is Us when it hits its rhythm. “Katie Girls,” is just one of these episodes where everything syncs up perfectly and these multiple storylines coincide with such ease. The brilliant pacing of this episode is quick and even quippy at times but doesn’t dare risk rushing through the little moments.

This Is Us makes it look effortless but achieving perfection in an episode like this is hardly an easy feat.

We see the Pearsons’ imperfections on full display every episode, but “Katie Girls,” pushes characters to finally start opening up more about their flaws.

Some of the strongest moments in this episode are during difficult moments where these characters just say what they are thinking regardless. It is refreshing and three seasons in we need refreshing.

Kate and Randall’s debate about choosing IVF over adoption is topical and like no other conversation I’ve seen on television. Then there is Randall and Toby admitting they both struggle with mental illness but have to hide it because they still have to be seen as strong men.

Sure, these are conversations we should be having — but most of the time we don’t.

I’m glad to see that in an episode being pulled in multiple directions these small but significant conversations are still finding their way into the dialog because they are what sets this show apart from its competitors.

Everyone is trying their best to incorporate society’s current issues into their stories but This Is Us just finds a way of bringing a fresh new perspective to the conversation every time.

There are so many new and complicated dynamics to explore this season and thankfully “Katie Girls,” explores a lot of them.

In particular, the focus on Jack’s family is as heartbreaking as it is intriguing. Everyone likes to refer to Jack as a hero but his upbringing would give him the excuse to be anything but.

Last season was very much about how Jack died and this season seems to be about how Jack lived.

We get to see that other side of Jack that struggles to not be like his father even in moments with Kevin and the toy grenade where every fiber of his being is telling him to give in. This Is Us has always portrayed Jack as a father and that’s what he has been for his mother and his brother long before he has the Big Three to take care of.

This episode manages to do the impossible and paint Jack as an even greater father than we once thought him to be — and you can’t help but fall in love with Jack Pearson all over again for it.

While it looks like we’ll be taking a break from Jack and Rebecca’s early years together to make room for Vietnam, this episode doesn’t let their origin story go out with a whimper.

We finally get to see the foundation their relationship is based on. There’s that moment at the end of the episode where Rebecca watches Jack start to clean up the kitchen and you can just see her start to fall in love with the man.

It’s the same foundation of respect for each other we see on the night of the Superbowl when Jack lets Rebecca sleep while he cleans up downstairs.

The development of their separate lives in this newest installment is truly what puts this episode over the top and the comfort of knowing they’ve seen the worst in each other and can still fall in love is a nice way to round everything out.

After three seasons, “Katie Girls,” makes it clear that This Is Us still has a strong grasp on the story they are telling — or rather stories because it is the show’s ability to equally portray multiple storylines at once that really makes this form of storytelling work.

Not once in this episode does it feel like we are being deprived of any one plot. Beth and Toby get their moments in the spotlight, even Randall’s father has time to make an appearance. Somehow pulling the story in a dozen directions works brilliantly for this episode arc.

If there is anything to take away from this episode and This Is Us as a whole, it’s that this show’s dialog and pacing is likely better than anything else on television right now.

But where this show truly strives is in its ability to create emotion in such simple moments and imagery. There’s the empty cradle in Kate’s dream and the shadow of Jack’s body on the hospital bed. The portrayal of tragedy is so loud sometimes its simple moments like these that really speak volumes.

Perfection comes with perspective and there are so many interesting and diverse perspectives on display in this episode that the level of excellence is clear.

This Is Us has delivered some excellent television in past seasons and “Katie Girls,” has set Season 3 on a path to achieve even great things this season.

I get giddy just thinking about all the storylines we have yet to explore.

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

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