This Is Us Season 2 Episode 18

The One Where We All Needed a Tissue Box (and Maybe a Stiff Drink)

Okay, let's talk about "This Is Us," Season 2, Episode 18. You know, the one that probably emptied every pharmacy of their stock of tissues. Don't lie, you cried. We all did.

But did anyone else feel... slightly underwhelmed? Maybe it's just me. I know, I know, blasphemy! But hear me out.

The Pearson Family: A Rollercoaster of Emotions (as Usual)

The episode was classic This Is Us. Flashbacks galore! We saw Jack being super dad. We also saw Rebecca being super mom. Cue the heart-wrenching music.

Present day had its usual drama. Kate struggling (predictable!). Kevin struggling (also predictable!). Randall, well, Randall was being Randall, bless his heart.

Honestly, it was like they were ticking off boxes. "Okay, gotta make everyone cry at least twice. Check!" Is it wrong that I felt a little manipulated?

Unpopular Opinion Alert!

I'm going to say it. This episode felt a little... forced. Like they were *trying* too hard to make us emotional. I know, I’m probably going to get hate mail for this.

The Jack flashbacks, while sweet, felt a bit recycled. We already know he was a saint! Do we really need another reminder? Give the man some flaws, for goodness sake!

And the constant back-and-forth between past and present? It felt more jarring than usual. My brain was doing gymnastics trying to keep up. Did anyone else feel the same?

Deja Vu All Over Again

Kate's storyline with her IVF journey felt… well, like we've seen it before. She wants a baby. It's hard. She gets sad. Rinse and repeat.

Kevin’s struggles with addiction are important, no doubt. But the episode didn't really add anything new to his character arc. It was just more of the same.

Randall, as always, was the most grounded. But even his storyline felt a little... safe. Where's the drama, Randall! Give us something juicy!

The Big Twist (or Lack Thereof)

The ending, with the flash-forward to the future, was supposed to be a huge shock. But did anyone *actually* gasp? I mostly just squinted at the screen, trying to figure out who everyone was.

Old Randall? Okay. Old Tess? Sure. Was it groundbreaking? Nah. I kind of predicted it.

Maybe I'm just jaded. Or maybe This Is Us needs to shake things up a bit. Anyone with me?

Final Thoughts (Before the Hate Mail Arrives)

Don't get me wrong, This Is Us is still a good show. It has its moments of brilliance. And the actors are all incredibly talented.

But this episode? It felt like they were playing the hits. And sometimes, you just want to hear a new song.

So, yeah, I cried. But I also rolled my eyes. Sue me! What were your thoughts? Am I alone in this unpopular opinion? Let me know!

P.S. Did anyone else think Jack's mustache was a character in itself? Just me? Okay then.

P.P.S. And Rebecca, played by the amazing Mandy Moore, is a national treasure, even when she's making questionable parenting decisions.

P.P.P.S. Seriously, where's the new material? I need something to *really* cry about!