This Is Us Review: One Giant Leap (Season 6 Episode 2)
This Is Us Season 6 Episode 2, “One Giant Leap,” takes the road less traveled with an installment as offbeat as the romantic relationships it chooses to follow.
There’s nothing wrong with this episode’s eccentric storylines and unusual pacing. Given that This Is Us clung close to its winning formula during the season premiere, breaking new ground with the Pearsons has proven difficult.
For better or worse, “One Giant Leap” goes for it, and new ground is undoubtedly broken. But that does not necessarily make Nicky and Deja’s romantic voyages groundbreaking.
Deja and Nicky share beautiful themes of love and time passing, but these two labor-intensive romances clash far more than they meld together in execution.
There is melancholy pacing that connects the storylines, and it is easily disrupted by Nicky’s bonkers reunion with Sally, causing the transition from Deja’s situation to his to feel disjointed.
There are not enough emotional tethers or overlap for these new additions to share the spotlight.
Ultimately, the choice to showcase both take away from Deja and Malik’s experience. Sure the two young lovers are having sex for the first time, but Nicky also describes how Sally “deflowered him under the moon” in front of the women’s husband.
One storyline is so clearly the louder frontrunner of this episode, and because of that, the equally important story of Deja and Malik is drowned out in the aftermath of Sally and Nicky.
That’s not to say Nicky’s loud and unusual outing is terrible because it makes for unfortunate company. Personally, this hellscape of awkward dinners and petty conversations is some of This Is Us‘ best work.
The slow progression of the dialogue as polite conversation tumbles into something much more flawed and profound as Rebecca forces everyone to face their morality is harrowing.
Everyone confessing their small worries is enough to have us shifting uncomfortably in our seats as Moore once again brings Rebecca’s failing memory into sharp focus. It sets the stage beautifully for Sally to lay into her husband, stating, “Worrying about the big things leaves me no room to worry about the small things!”
What a perfectly crafted line, set up by a group of skilled actors that showcase the expertise all network dramas should strive towards.
The fact is that TV dinner parties are always weird, and this open discussion is the weirdest.
It is also blissfully chaotic, pushing Nicky unknowingly into the home-wrecker territory, a role made even more uncomfortable when he describes Jack’s death and his own alcoholism with such a deadpan charm.
Don’t ever say this man doesn’t understand fine dining etiquette.
It helps to have trusted travel companions who will stand by your side even when you call them idiots to their faces. Rebecca, Miguel, and Nicky are an unusual pairing, but their bizarre backstory makes for such a lovely and genuine companionship.
“One Giant Leap,” also gives us top-tier Rebecca and Miguel content. Rebecca’s moments with Jack in the car are glorious, but there’s something so soft and warm about her interactions with Miguel.
She really did strike gold twice and this episode subtly showcases that with a roundtable of sweet, soul-melting Jack and Miguel scenes. Seriously, every time Jack opens his mouth, sonnets pour out.
Miquel, however, rivals his best friend with a beautiful declaration to Rebecca that he will stay by her side until the very end. It’s a promise made all the more heartbreaking by speculation Miquel may not make it to that moment.
We will need a lot more of Rebecca and Miguel dancing to justify offing this kind man in the coming episodes!
This latest installment isn’t the strongest it could be in its pursuit of a mediocre flash-forward reveal, and the highs don’t entirely make up for the lows this slower pacing creates.
However, love does prevail, and that’s all we can ask of a romantic road trip.
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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