This Is Us Review: The Club (Season 4 Episode 6)
All is fair in love and golf.
At least that’s what This Is Us Season 4 Episode 6, “The Club,” would lead us to believe with a mediocre storyline that is not quite what it seems.
‘Tis the season for an episode that delivers its fair share of tricks and treats.
An entire episode that revolves around sex and the game of golf is not exactly my idea of a good time, but when has This Is Us ever steered us wrong?
That is the question to ask as we sit through some rather tedious bonding between Jack and Rebecca’s father, and Kevin’s half-hearted dinner date with a random girl he met at the gym.
Both storylines offer us strong dialogue but still lead to an ending we are already anticipating.
Randall’s golf expedition, on the other hand, starts off unbearably slow and uses that lack of momentum to build to two pivotal moments. Two moments that turn out to be the key to pulling this elaborate episode off.
It’s Randall’s world and we’re just living in it.
That much is clear thanks to this episode, which is really just an elaborate showcase of Sterling K. Brown’s astounding talent and charisma.
Young Randall’s talk with his father about race is an emotional gut-punch and an incredibly important teaching moment for people watching at home. Jack not seeing his son as he is because he refuses to acknowledge the colour of Randall’s skin gives this unique father-son relationship another layer of depth.
Back this topical discussion up with a heartfelt tribute to Jack and Randall wins this one, hands down.
For most of the episode, it feels as if This Is Us is struggling just as much to motivate its characters as Randall is struggling to get the hang of golfing. So the clever revelation that Randall does, in fact, know his way around the golf course elevates the story that much more.
It’s commendable to learn many of the turns this episode takes are less of a misguided mistake and more of a deceptive manoeuvre to play down Randall’s grand finale. I can’t blame This Is Us for jumping on the chance to play dumb when they give us an ending as smart as this.
Cassidy and Kevin finally confront the sexual tension between them and things escalate quicker than expected.
I still don’t know if a romantic relationship is a good idea for Kevin and Cassidy to pursue, especially with such a unique friendship to utilize first. But it’s clear This Is Us is not interested in exploring a relationship where these two people fall deeply in love and everything magically falls into place.
When Cassidy kisses Kevin you can see the surprise on her face almost as if she had a moment of happiness and acted on it without thinking. The look Kevin and Cassidy share in the bedroom is not exactly blissful reassurance either.
These two clearly harbour a mutual resentment and guilt towards themselves for this act of passion. Kevin for jeopardizing his friendship with Cassidy and Cassidy for giving up on her family so quick.
Neither are particularly happy that they found themselves falling for each other and that’s going to make for some awkward post-sex conversations down the road.
This departure from Jack and Rebecca’s storybook romance is one I’m glad we get to explore.
Six episodes in and “The Club” confirms the inevitable. This Is Us will have to change things up or risk falling into the impending lull of midseason.
Kevin is losing momentum with this RV thing and while his time with Nicky is good for some banter, it’s not a long term solution for his character. The small-town life might not be the best utilization of Kevin down the road.
Kate and Toby have some stand out scenes and their weight debacle continues to be an intriguing plot device to stir up some trouble. But with more fighting in their distant future, I’m not thrilled to see the couple in such a negative place now that they’ve started their family.
With this latest episode, This Is Us reminds us of what can work incredibly well for this show and what cannot.
Top Lines From “The Club”:
Kevin: “I’m just creeping on my ex.”
Nicky: “What’s that even mean?”
Randall: “This one’s for you pop.”
Jack: “When I see you, I don’t see race. I see my son.”
Randall: “Well then, you don’t see me.”
Kevin: “You’ve made some mistakes, but that doesn’t make you unloveable. It makes you human.”
Jack: “I’m going to marry your daughter. So let me ask you this: do you see yourself there?”
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This Is Us airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on NBC.
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Alicia Gilstorf
Alicia is a Rotten Tomatoes Certified Critic and a Critics Choice Association member. She credits her passion for TV to workplace sitcoms, paranormal dramedies, and coming-of-age stories. In her free time, Alicia loves to curl up with a good book and lose herself in a cozy game. Keep a lookout for her coverage of Ghosts. You can also find her work on Eulalie Magazine and Cool Girl Critiques. Follow Alicia on social media: @aliciagilstorf