We open on what else?
a sweeping, earnest montage.
Were introduced to each Pearson getting ecstatic over dreams potentially coming to fruition.
They tell the kids, who are angry and confused.
(This is insane!
a distraught Kate yells.)
Randall, as an adult, is hoping never to ask that question.
We only ever talk about what you want, Randall, she tries explaining.
This is becoming a weird pattern.
The past lingers over Kate, too, as she prepares for her audition.
The memory cuts deep, and Kate walks out of the room, too afraid of the potential humiliation.
(He buys out an entire restaurant.
She doesnt need to be coddled, Toby says.
She needs to be pushed.
(TV can be convenient that way.)
It recalls her performance of Time After Time last season until, abruptly, its cut short.
Shes curtly thanked and asked to leave, but Kate doesnt stand for it.
I wont do it anymore.
The casting agent gets a little more blunt in response: Youre not good enough, honey.
Were perfectly imperfect, he tells Beth with enough sincerity to cut through the mawkishness of it all.
Yes, yes, enough build-up: the jaw-dropping episode-ending revelation.
(We learn in the episode that Kate will be the one to tell Kevin what happened.)
This of course only opens up more questions: Who was the girl with Randall on the couch?
Why wasnt Kevin there and why is that detail of his broken leg relevant?
(Headherefor more from the series creator and stars.)
In this season premiere, at least, the show doesnt overplay its hand.
But try not to lose it at all.
