But Rebeccas dreaming a little bigger than the mom life lately. Jack doesnt like it, though he wont tell her that… at least not yet. Who does she think she is, Janis Freaking Joplin? Credit: Ron Batzdorff/NBC Hes got this, he assures her. Dream big and go for it. Yeahhhh, Jack may have been overreacting before tonight, but hes completely justified in his concern now. Instead, he takes off and honors that restaurant reservation solo… well, not completely solo....

Randall and William go on one final road trip. We knew this was coming. We were warned way back in the pilot. Yet, all that preparation hardly dulled the pain. But what a final ride he and his son Randall had. Just drive, Randall. As an only child raised by a single mother, William and his mom are each others worlds. But he perseveres and continues to pursue his music career in his cousins cover band....

Not when were getting such delicious new birthday sprinkles as these. They were just more adept at hiding it. Yep, been there forsure. Credit: Ron Batzdorff/NBC Her anxiety over having yet to properly nest for her forthcoming babies is all-consuming. (PS: Does anyone elsestillfeel like Miguels a traitor and a half for what will happen with Rebecca? Or is it just me? Homemade birthday cake … or about as close to it as she can possibly get right now....

Its absolutely stunning even a fraction of this gets accomplished in a single hour, but here we are. But now we know. Only this time, its supposed to be sweet, you know? Credit: Ron Batzdorff/NBC Its a lot better than door no. Hed be squeamish over a hangnail removal. Hell go through with the surgery for her because he loves her. Yes, just like that. Are we doing a head-tilt-aww thing over this?...

He promised to be an ace husband and father, and he is delivering. But its not all fun and games for all three little ones. I have three really good friends, he says. Credit: on Batzdorff/NBC Thats a lot, and they all came to my party. Maybe theyshouldthink about having more. But now Jacks the one whos not so convinced. Even so, shes clearly grateful for his earnest effort here....

As a weekly watcher ofThis Is Us, youve come to understand that you dont ever really stop crying. And then there are episodes like last weeks. So this is where we pick up the pieces. Credit: Paul Drinkwater/NBC Its a tough road for Randall because this is not the first time hes buried a father. But Beth finds a note under his pillow and tells Randall, you gotta read this....

There is good news, though. Why is Jack staring off into the distance at a restaurant and in his car? What movie is Rebecca seeing with the kids? Ron Batzdorff/NBC (3) Is Randall receiving news about the adoption? Should we give Kate and Toby some privacy? Ron Batzdorff/NBC Ron Batzdorff/NBC Ron Batzdorff/NBC Ron Batzdorff/NBC Ron Batzdorff/NBC Ron Batzdorff/NBC Ron Batzdorff/NBC Ron Batzdorff/NBC Ron Batzdorff/NBC Ron Batzdorff/NBC Ron Batzdorff/NBC Ron Batzdorff/NBC...

When we pick up in season 2, Kates ready to take on her first real audition. Initially, she chickens out when she sees her competition women who are younger and skinnier. But this isThis Is Us, so you know that wasnt the end of the story. I dont care what dress size you wear. Youre not good enough, honey, he says. Kate couldve let this setback discourage her, but she doesnt....

Now that the nations tissue reserves are piling up, its time to start depleting them. And theres probably no better way to do that than to tune in to theThis Is Usseason 2 premiere. So when does season 2 ofThis Is Usstart? The hourlong episode will unspool on Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. (You did know that it was on NBC, right?) If youre too lazy to check local listings, maybe switch to channel 4 and hope for the best....

And probably in a lot of different kinds of ways. He envisions different kinds of scenes with the Jones-era William, some as dream-like, others in flashback form. There might be a conversation that a character might have with him, imagining hes there, says Fogelman. Ron Batzdorff/NBC But hes not only going to exist as a ghost. I have all the scenarios that all the fans have, or you might imagine....

What emotionally charged adventures await the Pearsons in the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s, and beyond? Are they together together this year to mark the occasion? They are not,Fogelman told EW. Justin Lubin/NBC The past story in the season premiere takes place the day after Jack and Rebeccas brutal fight. Its intense and its all inthe first five minutes of the show. Each of the teenage Big Three will process the news of Jack and Rebeccas (temporary?...

Especially when it came to Randall. The idea of adopting and paying it forward was something that was very appealing to them. The story line took his onscreen wife by pleasant surprise. Credit: Ron Batzdorff/NBC I just did not see that coming, Watson tells EW. I know that Beth and Randall dont feel exactly the same way about adoption, hints Brown. They are not on the same page, I can say that much....

This isThis Is Us. Let the mysteries build! The next clue was dropped here in Nine Bucks. NBC Randall dialed… Old Toby, who was… in bed, looking depressed. Randall asked Toby (Chris Sullivan). I dont know if I should, he responded. She wants you to be there, said Randall. Is he still married to Kate? Why wouldnt Tess want to see Kate? Whats the connection between Tess and Toby, besides tangential familial?...