This Is Us Review: I’ve Got This (Season 5 Episode 10)

If there are few things This Is Us does not have, it’s this.

This Is Us Season 5 Episode 10, “I’ve Got This,” suggests the series has a handle on its story despite frequent delays cutting this season off at the knees with every turn.

None of this is the show’s fault, of course, but it’s difficult to get pumped for new episodes when each one seems to be slipping further into a complaisant comfort watch.

I know This Is Us and boring isn’t a combination we see often but “I’ve Got This” isn’t exactly keeping us captivated after a long day of work.

This soothing storytelling lulls us with a Pearson parenting montage and attempts to keep hungry fans satisfied with mundane problems of the week, like the uncomfortable money talk and a mother-in-law who outstayed her welcome. It’s amusing and it’s genuine, but it’s not always enough.

It’s rarely enough as the dialogue has no anchor to ground the story; no greater conflict or stranger origin story to elevate the greater Pearson trauma. Right now the Pearsons are just normal people going through normal human things, and it’s somewhat jarring.

There’s always been some fire, sometimes a literal fire, consuming the Pearson’s lives just enough to keep the story simmering. Without death or drama looming over the Big Three, things are unusually quiet — a little too quiet.

While fighting over money is never an ideal storyline for any show, there is a silver lining to Jack’s gamble gone wrong. Rebecca steps up and shuts down any toxic notions that the man of the house will handle the money.

She could have easily trusted Jack Pearson; with those eyes and his track record, she would have no reason not to let him play fast and loose with the Big Three’s college funds. But she recognizes that if there’s one thing that shouldn’t be left to the mercy of grand Pearson gestures, it’s their hard-earned money.

Moore commands the space, a new determination and defiance in Rebecca’s voice as she takes her first days of motherhood in stride.

Toby and Kevin’s passive-aggressive discussion about finances doesn’t highlight this storyline’s finest moments. However, Kate taking a moment to thank Rebecca for keeping the concern of money out of their childhood allows us to warm up to the touchy discussion in its final beats.

Another memorable beat comes out of the most entertaining storyline of the night, a Pearson dinner with a purpose.

It’s refreshing to see This Is Us embrace the more catty of family drama and there’s nothing cattier than a guilt dinner party meant to make your mother feel inferior. Add in several hormonal teens, baby-mama bombshells, a few well-times reactions from Randall and you have the recipe for a perfect blow-up.

This entire sequence of inward fighting is paralleled nicely by a heart-to-heart between Beth and her mother as Carol drops her guard to admit she is lonely in lockdown and in desperate need of noise — something Beth’s life has plenty of right now.

We also get a sweet continuation of Deja and Randall’s day one relationship as they confide in each other over their shared love for Malik, or something like that…

I reprimand this episode for giving us “fine” and thinking that’s enough for a show of this calibre.

That said, “I’ve Got This” slowly but surely begins to break out of the tired storylines it crafts to reap the benefits of the new dynamics these family gatherings reintroduce.

It all leads to a promptly timed cameo from everyone’s favourite Uncle Nicky, who is none too pleased to hear only one twin is named after him. Nicky is certainly a welcoming (and chaotic) addition to Kevin’s new family.

Here’s to hoping he stays a while. This Is Us sure could use some of his unpredictability.

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 airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on NBC.

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