This Is Us Review: The Guitar Man (Season 6 Episode 8)

This Is Us Season 6 Episode 8, “The Guitar Man,” is as exceptional as it is unexpected.

It’s true This Is Us has always handled its approach to mental health with as much sincerity and expertise as it could afford, but this is still a drama, and with drama comes the tendency to lean on explosive explorations.

That is what makes “The Guitar Man” so unanticipated. Instead, it leans entirely on quiet, subtle explorations to give us the Kevin Pearson we know now, piece by piece.

“The Guitar Man” doesn’t carry itself as a trailblazer, and yet the impact of this causal character study can be felt all the way to the deep end.

It takes time to explore Kevin’s shallowness from an honest place. The result is an episode that does away with timeline hopping and grand Pearson gestures in favor of full circle nuances.

These nuances are rich with depth and flaws worthy of the sibling who fought self-sabotaging storylines to stand before us, a fan favorite.

This episode does everything to take the spotlight off Kevin and, in doing so, brings out some of his best character work to date. Kevin may fear he’s not cut out for the deep end, but it’s observing from the edge of the pool that he finds his stride.

Thanks to Milo Ventimiglia’s directing, the episode holds even more sentimental value, solidifying this emotional affair as something with far more depth than the season’s more shallow gimmicks could muster.

The mental health showcased in this episode is dark and murky, lingering in the pain of blank stares and the surprising vessel of Cassidy.

One wouldn’t necessarily expect to get closure for Jennifer Morrison’s veteran, but there isn’t a corner of this episode her struggle does not impact. It draws powerful parallels for Nicky, who has channeled the ugliest mistake of his life into helping younger soldiers cope. 

He’s in her corner from the start, with Griffin Dunne knocking every rant out of the park as Morrison swallows us in her hollow despair. But, more importantly, those dynamics force Kevin’s hand as he wades fearlessly into the deep end for his family.

Returning to the shallowness that lives inside Kevin is imperative to his fulfilled prophecy.

The effect of taking Kevin’s quick judgment and forcing him, through the struggles of others, to realize not only have these veterans built schools in warzones, but they crave a new purpose just as he does.

That final decision by Kevin to start Big Three Homes and carry out his father’s dream because he wants to, not because he has to, is so damn fulfilling. Six years of watching Kevin fight his destiny makes this outcome well worth the wait.

However, the lead-up truly sells us on his grand plan.

“The Guitar Man” takes a risk in having so much of this Kevin-centric study revolve around people who are not Kevin. But, it soon becomes clear the actions of those around him and the maturity Kevin exhibits in retaliation is the character study.

Much of the episode showcases the actor’s pleas for attention when in actuality, he is having a manic break and reaching out for help — which is such a fundamental flaw in his character design to touch on.

When Kevin realizes his parenting woes need to give way to Cassidy’s mental health struggles, this episode shifts into a higher gear.

He sheds the remnants of his shallow ego to be there for her.

This loud, expressive character sits in silence, showcasing a desire to discipline the part of himself that is eager to fill the void. He gives himself over to Cassidy, not with romantic love or pity, allowing her to know he’s listening with his whole heart.

That kind of modest character growth isn’t easily achieved, and there’s no denying this Kevin is a far cry from the child telling the whole pool his father tried to drown him at the first sign of failure.

Kevin is learning to look beyond the shallow presence of those around him and, in turn, take his first fearless step towards being the father Jack would envy.

Past character studies have centered around Kevin’s sobriety and his relationships, barrelling through the subject matter with the same recklessness as the subject.

However, this quieter outing looks to subtly demonstrate how his maturity has reshaped the tone of this final study.

This installment could have benefitted from more growth and Kevin-centric content to put it over the edge. However, I believe this episode does far more for Kevin’s journey than it lets on, with much of its impact yet to be seen.

No doubt, many of us are disappointed this episode did not allude to a Sophie reunion, but for once, I’m glad. The development here is imperative to Kevin’s future. “The Guitar Man” may not mention his great love, but it will be the reason they rekindle their feelings.

And when a perfect song choice nearly eclipses an episode, you know you have a gem. So it’s safe to say this solo act will be a tough one to follow.

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

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