'This Is Us' Season 4 Episode 15: Who is Randall's therapist and what was that 'hissing noise'?
As 'This Is Us' came with a new heartwarming episode titled 'Clouds', the focus was on Randall Pearson's (Sterling K Brown) therapy. The scene is shot from the therapist's point of view and she is hidden until the hour's closing moments.
Who is the mysterious therapist and why was all that suspense created around her identity? Eventually, a glimpse of Dr Leigh is shown and viewers can see actress Pamela Adlon playing the character. However, that does not stop minds from wondering: why was the big reveal held until the end? It seems like it was a conscious attempt by the showrunners to put the spotlight on Brown's long takes.
"A lot of that had to do with what Sterling (K Brown) can do as a performer," co-showrunner Elizabeth Berger told EW.com. She added, "As we were talking about this, we started realizing that it would just be absolutely incredible to stay in these long takes with Sterling where you’re getting into his psychology and you’re watching him turn her words over and over again in his mind. And because Sterling is the type of actor that can do that and to live in those minutes-long takes, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to do it that way."
The mystery left fans quite intrigued. "The fact that the therapist was not visible to viewers until Randall decided to actually be open to therapy was brilliant," one fan posted and another said, "Sometimes going to therapy is just as much for those you love as it is about you." One viewer wrote, "Randall finally went to therapy and made a Sopranos joke I am too lucky."
"I’m so glad that Randall sought therapy. So refreshing that this show brings real-life issues such as mental illness to light. Please know that there is nothing to be ashamed of about receiving therapy. Send me a message too if you want to talk. You’re not alone," one viewer wrote and another said, "I love the choice to not show the therapist and the center frame close up of Randall. I feel like it gives the audience a tense uncomfortable feeling along with him."
Meanwhile, others were not too amused. "I'm not a fan of this therapist & I don’t even see her face. How incredibly judgy. This gives therapy a bad name. Not feeling it at all," one fan posted.
Another posted, "Was that necessary and/ or professional for the therapist to cut off Randle and disclose that she already was familiar with his work? I didn't like that. He immediately put up a wall. That's why it's important to try a few therapists." One was left wondering, "What is that hissing noise during Randall's therapy away? #ThisIsUs."
Many others shed light on the same. "What the hell is that noise during Randall's therapy session? It sounds like hissing or something," one tweet read and another said, "What is that hissing noise in the therapy room? #ThisIsUs." While there is no clear clue about it, it might be soon revealed in the forthcoming episodes.
As 'This Is Us' comes back with a new episode on March 3, it might show whether therapy means well for Randall or not.