This Is Us recap: Season 2 Episode 16, “Vegas, Baby,” Aired Feb. 27, 2018
Two weeks after we learned what happened to Jack Pearson and the night he died, we had a brand new episode of This Is Us In the episode “Vegas, Baby,” Kate and Toby had their Bachelor/Bachelorette parties in Las Vegas. Meanwhile, we got to see the young Big Three plan a big dinner for their parents’ wedding anniversary.
Anniversary
During the entirety of their marriage, Jack has been known to do big, grand gestures for their anniversary. However, this particular year, Rebecca just wants to celebrate the day quietly. Of course, their children have other ideas when they decide they can still do something special for their parents. This includes making Cornish hens with Chef Kevin at the forefront while Randall and Kate do their own planning.
Vegas, Baby
Kate and Toby prepare for their respective parties. Toby is excited to be able to spend time with Kate’s brothers while Kate is unsure of how things will go with Beth. It turns out the two are not very close, but Beth is very excited about Vegas and getting away from responsibilities.
Who isn’t completely prepared? Randall. After we discover why Deja came to the Pearson home, needing money to pay the gas bill, he has been worried about her. When he suggests Beth isn’t as attached to the situation as he is, she is upset with him. Randall should be celebrating and having fun with his brother and soon-to-be brother-in-law, but he is still very much in dad mode.
Temptation
Randall is not the only one immune to tough feelings. Kevin is battling with himself still and trying to be better about not drinking, even offering the maid a tip to make sure she holds him accountable by counting the liquor in the cabinet. While this was an amusing scene, I feel for the maid since it isn’t her job to keep Kevin in check. But she was a good sport about it.
When Kevin and Randall join Toby and his friends for dinner, it begins to go fine, but both brothers become distracted. Randall with a call from Deja and Kevin seeing a co-star of his from the Ron Howard film. Kevin learns his co-star, who played his love interest, was cut from the film. This leads to him assuming he has been cut as well. Oh, Kevin, this is why they invented cell phones.
Randall talks to Deja, but he gets the feeling that things are not as well as they should be. He ends up leaving the party and so does Kevin, leaving Toby feeling hurt. Randall and Kevin were both very selfish tonight and I felt for Toby when they abandoned him.
Siblings
Beth is enjoying her night very well, especially when she is chosen to receive a dance from a dancer named Anton. Randall arrives to tell her about Deja and she is frustrated he is interrupting the evening. They end up arguing in front of Kate, who tries to defuse the situation but ends up blurting out hurt feelings about not being as close to Randall anymore.
Randall goes to find Kate and we learn the two grew close after losing their father. This makes sense since the two of them went through a horrific experience together and were together the entire night until Kate went to inform Kevin. Seeing how Randall sat through a television show he didn’t like was touching since he did it for his sister. Now can we please have more scenes between present Kate and Randall?
It is then Kate’s turn to school her brother, telling him that Toby’s main goal in the party was to spend time with Randall and Kevin. This was likely the moment in which Randall felt like a huge jerk and went to get Kevin, who was eyeing the liquor cabinet in his room. From Kevin’s appearance, we can see he didn’t give in, which made me proud.
A new Big Three
Kevin and Randall arrive to find Toby and explain the issues they are facing. After giving them both advice on what to do, the three have a great time in Vegas. Taking Toby’s advice to call Ron, Kevin learns the romance in the film wasn’t as important as the father/son relationship was and he is still in. Phew!
I’m looking forward to seeing more of Kevin and Randall bonding with Toby. This is a new man in their sister’s life who has lifted her up and helped her come to terms with many things in her life. Seeing all three men get along was amazing to see.
Attachment
Kate goes to make amends with Beth, admitting that she had always been intimidated by strong women. When Randall met Beth, she saw Beth as someone incredibly successful and strong. Beth then admits that she has her moments where she doesn’t feel strong and tells Kate she hasn’t been able to let Deja go as easily as Randall assumes she did.
This scene with Kate and Beth was clearly needed between the two and we got to see an aspect of their relationship that had been missing for years. Hopefully Kate and Beth can become closer now that Kate has been able to open up to her.
Meteor Shower
After dinner is inadvertently ruined when Jack forgets to turn the oven on, Kevin begins to get upset about them possibly divorcing. However, he suspiciously calms down once they reassure him before he leaves quickly. He really was born to be an actor, wasn’t he?
It turns out the kids had planned a special night for their parents on the roof of their home so they could watch the meteor shower. The romantic moment between Jack and Rebecca solidified their love for one another and only made us miss them more in the present than ever before.
Revelation
On their way home, Randall and Beth make up before Beth decides to follow her heart instead of her head. They go to check on Deja, but learn Shauna no longer lives at the apartment they had been in before. After checking the streets, Randall spots Deja sleeping in a car with her mother.
We only have two episodes to go before the season ends. What do you think will happen with Deja and her mother? Will Kevin continue being successful in his rehab? What else will they throw our way? Tune in next week for a brand new episode.
Tell us your thoughts in the comments below or find us on Twitter!
This Is Us airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on NBC.
(Featured image via Ron Batzdorff/NBC)
