'This Is Us' Season 4 Episode 18 Finale Review: 'Strangers: Part Two' brings hope after a bittersweet end
Spoilers for 'This Is Us' Season 4 Episode 18 'Strangers: Part Two'
Words said in anger are the words that wreck our lives. 'This Is Us' binds anger in a box of past, present and future and leaves no room for love. In its season finale, the heartwarming NBC show turns heartbreaking and there's nothing you can do to save the Pearson family.
The big fight between Randall Pearson (Sterling K Brown) and Kevin Pearson (Justin Hartley) was awaited all through the 18 episodes and when it actually happens, it hits like a ton of bricks. Rebecca Pearson (Mandy Moore) has forcefully said yes to Randall but isn't that just strangulating your wishes for what the other person wants? Kevin realizes it and catches the lie in his mom and brother's tone when they both tell him the same words: "It is an investment for the future."
Whoa! That was a smart move, Kevin. But now, what? Of course, it is wartime. Not just that. Dan Fogelman's 'This Is Us' shows pregnant Lucy Damon (Auden Thornton) giving birth to Jack Damon's (Blake Stadnik) baby but leaves more mystery around Kevin's future fiancée.
Kevin and Randall: A crack in the wall
Kevin, Randall and Rebecca come together at baby Jack's birthday party. After a joyous celebration in the backdrop of the melodious tunes of 'Summer, Highland Falls' by Billy Joel, Rebecca finally blurts out her decision to undergo the clinical trial. Of course, it leaves Kevin heartbroken but he respects his mom's decision.
When he feels something is wrong, he goes to her and asks, "This is what you want?" He is eventually reassured but in another confrontation, she blurts out the same words as Randall. Kevin knows it has been enforced on her and the war begins.
In anger, we say the worst things to each other and that's what breaks Randall and Kevin's bond forever. After blaming how both of them have selfish motives, Kevin says, "This narrative you keep spinning that you saved the man. If I was there, I would have pulled him out of the fire and saved him," and Randall only reminds him how he wasn't even there.
"He died ashamed of you and proud of me. That's what gets to you. The shame, right?" Randall says, forcing Kevin to say, "The worst thing that happened to me other than the day dad died? The worst thing happened was the day they brought you home." That's it. No sooner does Kevin say those words, Randall walks away. In a flashback scene, doctor Nathan Katowsky sings, "Blue skies... smiling at me," as a younger Rebecca and Jack sit in his cabin. All of the happiness turns into dust in no time.
Who is Kevin's future fiancée?
Just as all this mess is spinning around, Madison (Caitlin Thompson) turns up at Kate Pearson's (Chrissy Metz) house to talk to Kevin. Of course, Kevin is in no mood to talk but he has to. No surprises, Madison is pregnant and Kevin is stunned.
She tries to explain, "I know I am a complete stranger to you. I know nothing about you. But I have decided to go through with this. This is a kind of miracle for me." Kevin needs a moment to process this. He has the big fight with Randall and in his classic style, he walks with his calm swagger and owns Madison's baby.
Justin Hartley brings his best performance to the show, unpeeling each layer of complexity with finesse.
Kevin seems to have found his "love of life". He tells her, "I want to be a father. I think I will be great at it. The love of my life will be my child." And right then, Madison tells him, "Children... That's twins, Kevin." In a heartwarming scene in the future, Kevin's twins come to hug him — a little girl and a beautiful boy.
Kate and Toby: A little 'adopted' joy
Things in Kate and Toby's (Chris Sullivan) marital life seem to be much better. They recall how their baby was born. Toby apologizes. "I am sorry but I am still here. The three of us are still here. Today I was watching all of you talking, and I was thinking doesn't Jack deserve that? Jack deserves a sibling."
When Kate tells him she cannot get pregnant again with all the complications and risks, he smirks, "I know, I know, but the Pearsons have a pretty good record with adoption!" So, who is the second child of Kate and Toby in the future?
When Kate tells him she cannot get pregnant again with all the complications and risks, he smirks, "I know, I know, but the Pearsons have a pretty good record with adoption!" In theflash-forward, we find out their second child is Hailey (Adelaide Kane) who works at an art gallery.
Jack and Lucy: What's the newborn's name?
The episode begins with Jack and Lucy... only a few days away from pregnancy. When Lucy says that the baby has a request, Jack strums a new tune on his guitar.
"Jack," Lucy calls out as she is having contractions. Her water breaks and she is taken in for delivery and when the baby girl is born, the two name her Hope.
'This Is Us' leaves us hanging with too many loose ends but fills our hearts with hope, yes quite literally. Mandy Moore, as usual, brings her A-game in both her young and old age. The stark difference between youth and old age is visible as she performs brilliantly and so do Justin Hartley and Sterling K Brown. But it is a set of new faces that leave viewers intrigued. Who's who and what are they going to bring to the 'This Is Us' world in the future?
With a painful but wonderful end juxtaposed with a pinch of suspense, 'This Is Us' leaves our lives at least for a year or so. But it only adds more mystery and marvel along with 'hope' for good times. Once the extended Pearson family comes back, the sun may be shining again.