‘This Is Us’ Season 4, Episode 16 ‘New York, New York, New York’ Review: Next Times

Before anything else, can we just appreciate how fitting are the Home Alone 2 references in this week’s episode of This Is Us? It’s freaking precious! And I can definitely imagine 12-year-old Kevin (Parker Bates) getting lost in NYC and following the film scene by scene. Other than that, tonight’s episode titled “New York, New York, New York” is about Rebecca (Mandy Moore), Randall (Sterling K. Brown), and Kevin (Justin Hartley).

When Kevin and Randall really show up for each other, it’s like nothing else. But, when their disagreements get the better of them, it’s just the worst. And this week’s episode is where they really break off. Now, I kind of understand why they weren’t in speaking terms once Rebecca’s condition starts going downhill. So far though, it was Rebecca that really carried this episode. Her brightness really shined through despite the heartbreaking future of her condition. And it’s just one of her best. So, without further ado, let’s jump into what happened in this week’s episode of This Is Us. 

Jack’s New York

“New York, New York, New York” is told through three visits of the Pearsons to the city. The first was when the big three were in middle school. Being that it’s their first visit to the city, their parents allow them to pick one must-see destination each. Inspired by Home Alone 2, Kevin picks a toy store. Randall (Lonnie Chavis) picks a gallery. And Kate (Mackenzie Hansciscak) picks tea at a fancy hotel. Meanwhile, Rebecca picks the Met while Jack (Milo Ventimiglia) couldn’t figure out his.

Ron Batzdorff/ NBC

In the city though, Jack gets the family lost in his insistence to take the lead while ignoring Rebecca’s experienced advice. Finally, she pulls him aside and asks what the deal was. As it turns out, Jack was intimidated by Rebecca’s ramblings about her trips to New York as a child with her dad. And he wanted it to be just like it. But, Rebecca wanted to make it their own.

That right there is a perfect summary of Jack and Rebecca’s marriage. When he gets too wound up trying to meet expectations, Rebecca swoops in and gives him the logical side of things. That’s why they work so well together. In the end, they do find their way back and they get to see their must-see destinations except for Rebecca’s. Feeling bad, Jack finally figures out what he wants to do. The next thing you know, the Pearsons are in a carriage in Central Park. Jack admits he got the idea from Home Alone 2 as well. And cheesy as it may be, it’s one of the sweetest moments in This Is Us.

Date Set-Up

The second New York trip was in the big three’s college. This was post-Marc so Kate opted to stay home while Rebecca and Randall (Niles Fitch) went to NYC to attend Kevin’s (Logan Shroyer) acting showcase.

After the showcase, everyone showers Kevin with praise except Randall. He only gives a lackluster response. And throughout the night, he makes it obvious that he isn’t taking Kevin’s passion seriously. It’s in these moments that you can really see Kevin building up his walls against Randall.

NBC

Then, Kevin introduces Rebecca to his acting teacher Kirby (Dave Annable). The two adults play into the obvious trap and soon they’re flirting even at the celebratory dinner. Finally noticing, Rebecca excuses herself and decides to head to the Met. Kirby soon follows. With the adults gone, Randall chastises his brother. He insists that he knows that Rebecca isn’t ready to start dating yet. But, Kevin chastises him back insisting that Rebecca is a grown woman who can make her own decisions.

Meanwhile, Kirby runs into Rebecca again outside after the latter has failed to hail a cab for the past 20 minutes. Soon enough, they’re enjoying each other’s company. Kirby was nice enough and Rebecca was brave to try it out even though she admitted that it was uncomfortable at first. While strolling through Central Park though, Kirby calls the carriage rides lame. And that’s when Rebecca leaves him. I can’t blame her. That carriage ride was her most precious memory of Jack in New York. At the same time though, Rebecca trying out this little set up made me wonder how she and Miguel got together. Is there hope we can see their own love story on This Is Us?

Betrayal

The last leg of this trip is in Kevin’s NYC movie premiere. Beforehand, he, Randall, and Kate discussed Randall’s proposal of a clinical trial for Rebecca. The only problem is that the trial will take Rebecca far away from them for 9 months. Kate agreed and Kevin only begrudgingly so. The other part of their agreement is to tell Rebecca on the night of Kevin’s premiere.

Ron Batzdorff/ NBC

When Kevin and Randall finally meet though, Kevin manages to convince Randall to hold off the talk until the next morning and just let Rebecca enjoy the night. True to her new carpe diem rule, Rebecca walks the red carpet with Kevin. But, at the party, Randall betrays his brother. He tells Rebecca about the treatment while Kevin was talking to others. Unable to decide, Rebecca steps out to get some fresh air. This leaves Kevin and Randall free to have a go at each other.

Randall once again insists that he’s the only one who can take care of Rebecca. And he rubs in Kevin’s irresponsibility to his face. Fed up, Kevin reminds Randall that his salary is the one paying Rebecca’s treatments making Randall feel inadequate all over again. Of all their turfs in This Is Us, this is the most spiteful they’ve gotten. It’s also sad how up until then, Randall couldn’t really celebrate Kevin’s success for what it was. He was only there to talk to Rebecca.

The Met

After their venomous exchange, the boys try to find their mom only to receive a text that she went to the Met. This was the connecting vein of all three visits. After all those years of trying and “next times,” Rebecca finally got to go to the Met. The moment also made her realize that she’s been putting off all these next times but, she’s now running out of time. With that, she rejects the clinical trial treatment. And she decides to spend whatever time she has left as best as she could with her loved ones.

Unfortunately, Randall couldn’t accept his mother’s decision. Much like the date set-up scene, he still thinks he knows what’s better for her even more than Rebecca herself. He has it drilled in his mind that the clinical trial was the only way to save her. And he makes it clear to Kevin that “this could’ve saved her life.”

Ron Batzdorff/ NBC

His anger at Rebecca’s rejection was also just sad. Randall hasn’t even asked what Rebecca really wanted. And he only succeeded at adding fuel to the burning resentment between him and Kevin. But, as it seems, this stems from his desperation to save his mom.

Randall admits to Kevin that he always thought of what would happen if Jack lived. He sincerely thinks he could’ve said something to prevent Jack from running back into the house. Oh, poor dear. I think everyone wonders the exact same thing and it hurts to think about it. Just imagine what Randall feels. Interestingly, Kevin claims he never has. Sadly, things are just about to get worse from here.

This Is Us continues Tuesday, March 17th, with “After The Fire” at 9/8c on NBC.