'A Million Little Things' Episode 9 sees Rome grow from fighting the dark labyrinth of depression to emerge a survivor

Major spoilers for season 2 episode 9 of 'A Million Little Things' titled 'Time Stands Still' 

If there is one character on 'A Million Little Things' who has seen a beautiful redemption arc, it is Rome (Romany Malco). 

In the first season, Rome's character opened struggling with life, depression, and sadness. Almost on the verge of suicide, Rome was ready to down a bottle of pills to end his life when he receives the life-altering phone call about Jon's (Ron Livingston) suicide. 

After Jon's death, the group of friends was lost, filled with remorse over losing a close friend and regret that they couldn't see through his smiling, all-happy demeanor. The loss of a close dear friend affected everyone, but most of all it affected Rome, who was himself contemplating suicide. 

In season 1, Jon jumps to his death from his office. It is almost a resurrection of the scene in season 2 in 'Time Stands Still' as PJ (Chandler Riggs) stands atop a terrace wanting to jump to his death. Only this time, there is Rome by his side. A visibly devastated PJ wants to just jump and end the misery, but Rome tells him that even though today is not a good day, tomorrow will be a little better, and then the day after that will be a little more better. There is an eagerness in Rome yet there is earnestness to save PJ's life, who is fearful and conceited by the lies he has been told all these years, he feels alone, like he has no family or friends. But Rome calls him family and promises to be by his side. 

In an intensely written scene, Rome doesn't pull PJ back but stands by his side on the railing ready to jump. But he is saved and when they get back inside the home, Maggie (Allison Bloom) helps him with the contact for a trained professional for PJ - he deserves help and will be getting help.

The scene is also a testament to the friendship that is developed between PJ and Rome - one that is not shackled by boundaries of age but bound by pain, by the trials and tribulations of life, by depression and by companionship. PJ trusts Rome completely and even in that very vulnerable state, PJ doesn't push him away. Both of them have supported each other through some of the most crucial points in their lives in their own ways. 

At the end of the episode, Rome's interaction with PJ sparks something in Regina. The couple had gotten married with the plan to not have any kids. Once Rome changes his mind, Regina doesn't exactly catch up and they've had their fair share of differences and arguments surrounding the issue. However, after seeing Rome handle PJ in what could be perhaps the most strenuous situation, she knows that he will be a good father. She tells Rome that she wishes to raise a child with him - they are going to adopt a baby and will be raising it as their own. 

Rome had spent a long time waiting for Regina to say this, and now the couple is finally on the same page. And we are sure he is going to be a great father! Needless to say, the scene between Rome and PJ is exceptionally done. It reflects on the journey that he has been through since the first season. Rome has emerged a survivor, fighting the evils of depression and although not fully recovered, he is no longer lost in a dark labyrinth. You would be lying if you claim that the scene didn't get you emotional or even made you shed a tear or two. 

'A Million Little Things' is scheduled to return to television on January 23, 2020, at a new time slot - shifting from 9 pm to 10 pm.