Don't Let Me Keep You

The final season of This Is Us got off to a sort of boring start, re-hashing the same old plot lines, and Sterling K. Brown hamming it up more than ever. This episode is an example of the best that this series has ever had to offer to its viewers. Extremely well-written and directed, it explores Jack's relationship with his mother, who he rescued from an abusive life with his unyielding father. Beautifully acted by Milo Ventimiglia, with excellent support from the wonderful Camryn Manheim as his cousin, Jim Cody Williams as his mother's friend, and, finally, Laura Niemi in a moving performance as Marilyn, Jack's mother. Not to be missed by the fans of this series, and not easily forgotten. It may haunt you long after you see it.

Me neither Jack :(

It's been 16 years since my mom died and it's still hurt like it was yesterday. I had a great relationship with my mom, even though I was only 9 when she passed away. She was so loving, caring, thoughtful, and generous. She would cry if she saw us hurt. Although my dad did an amazing job of being a single father, no one will ever be able to fill this hole in our life. I love you mom, thinking of you always :( Please if you still have a mother, call her or go to her and tell her how much you love her before it's too late.

This episode sits outside the main arch of this season, which could be problematic as the clock is ticking to tie loose ends and finish plot threads before finale time, and yet - this episode belongs.

These writers somehow hit homers consistently on "side quests" that should feel like a time waste but ultimately do not. Nothing will ever top the first several seasons of this show - we know this. No show hits their peak in season six; but, Jack's story with his mom is in the conversation for best episode the last two-three seasons. These writers and the main cast are still on their game this deep in the series run and it is commendable.

Brilliant acting from Milo. One of the best written network shows of all time in my opinion. I shall be very sad to see it end although I'm not sure I can withstand the emotional turmoil it puts me through an weekly basis. The standard of the episodes has never dopped at all for me, one or two right in the middle of the pandemic where I imagine it was borderline impossible to film but other than that the consistency is great. Let's hope we all get an ending befitting this brilliant show.

Jack has always seemed like the perfect family man esp when it comes to Rebecca and the kids BUT at his core he wasn't. He failed two of his family members: His mother & Nicky. He sorta abandoned them and never looked back. I guess that makes him more of a grey character but till I hate that side of him. At least he found a way to make amends to his mother and find a way to move on from the pain of the past himself. Great acting by Milo V this ep.