‘This Is Us’ Season 4, Episode 7 ‘The Dinner and the Date’ Review: Middle Ground

This Is Us has been laying it on thick with the parallel stories in the past couple of episodes. But, honestly, I’m not complaining. This Is Us has crafted this style to perfection. And this week, it delivered another fine episode from the amazing script of Kay Oyegun. I was cringing, laughing, and almost crying the whole time. Lyric Ross and Asante Blackk were absolutely heartwarming to watch. And by the end of the episode, they have got everybody fully rooting for Dejick/ Maleja. It’s also amazing how the episode tackled the different kinds of subtle prejudices so out in the open. It has a refreshing quality of boldness that isn’t too in your face but, still urges you to reevaluate your whole life.

This week on This Is Us, Deja (Lyrics Ross) and Malik (Asante Blackk) decide to skip school to explore Philadelphia. This causes Randall (Sterling K. Brown) and Beth (Susan Kelechi Watson) to set up a dinner with the Hodges to finally get to the bottom of the issue. Meanwhile, back in the big three’s middle school days, Jack (Milo Ventimiglia) invites Randall’s teacher Cory Lawrence (Brandon Scott) to dinner in an act of good faith. But, Jack remains to be plagued by his insecurity all throughout.

Deja’s Date

Malik discovers that Deja hasn’t really been around the not-touristy-Philly yet. So, he makes it his mission to show it to her. However, that would mean skipping school. And though hesitant at first, Deja gives in to Malik’s offer.

The first stop on their date is Max’s Steaks where Malik gives Deja a taste of his all-time favorite cheesesteak. There, he formally introduces Deja to everyone and makes her an honorary regular at Max’s. After that, Malik takes Deja all around the city introducing his world to her where it becomes obvious that the two are having the time of their lives.

Ron Batzdorff/NBC

After that, they end up in Malik’s favorite park. As the two settle down on the grass, Malik tentatively reaches over and gently takes Deja’s hand in his (one of the cutest things in This Is Us). However, after having a little moment staring into each other’s eyes, something seems to snap in Deja’s mind and she abruptly stands to leave.

Malik catches up and Deja confesses that she’s not sure if she could trust him. She hasn’t had any relationships before and her past has been riddled with dishonest men. On the contrary, Malik seems to go about relationships confidently. I mean, he has a freaking baby. But, as Malik explains, his baby’s mother was his only ex. And he sincerely does like Deja. After assuring her that everything he’s been telling her has been nothing but the truth, Deja allows him to take her to one last place.

Ron Batzdorff/NBC

The last stop to their date is a view deck overlooking a row of charming homes lit up by twinkling lights beside a lake. Deja is awestruck by the view and memories of her trips with her mom and grandmother come flooding back. Realizing that they all make her feel like home, she turns to Malik and kisses him.

Destination Splitsville Dejick

After Deja and Malik’s little day out, the Pearsons invite the Hodges over to dinner. As Randall refers to it, it’s an operation to recruit enforcements for destination splitsville Dejick. However, Beth reminds him to keep an open mind. But, as first meetings go, each family forms presumptions about each of the kids even before dinner could begin. For Randall and Beth, Malik is a bad influence on Deja. For Kelly (Marsha Stephanie Blake) and Darnell (Omar Epps), Deja is their son’s fast girlfriend.

Mitchell Haddad/NBC

The Hodges’ arrival immediately spells AWKWARD. But, while the baby distracts the kids, the dads get talking. Darnell apologizes for his son and as soon as he and Randall get to fondly talking about their kids, everything seems cool between them. One tiny detail Randall takes note of, however, is Darnell’s tattoos.

Meanwhile, Beth takes Kelly on a house tour. But, in the middle of it, Kelly very subtly pins the blame on Deja. And Beth’s not having that so she snaps back. Then, to avoid starting a match right then and there, Beth drags Randall to the pantry and guzzles the bottle of wine she stashed in there. Now, unlike earlier, it’s Randall who reminds Beth to keep an open mind.

This Is Us: Pearson vs Hodges

As most fans already know, dinners in This Is Us end up in the extreme ends of the spectrum. And this time around, the tension finally comes to head. After sending the kids upstairs, the mothers start going at each other. To Kelly, Deja’s a problematic girl carrying a lot of baggage. To Beth, Malik is a bad influence and a walking early pregnancy risk. Both women get up to each other’s faces but, before things could escalate, the husbands step in. Instead of dissipating the situation though, Randall slips admitting that he’s afraid that if Deja spends time with Malik, she’ll end up in the “tough situation” she came from. The Hodges take offense thinking that Randall’s referring to their social standing. So, Darnell takes off his shirt and reveals his whole set of tattoos.

Mitchell Haddad/NBC

Darnell owns up to his mistakes in front of the Pearsons. Then, he reminds them that they can choose what they want to see, mistakes or something different. And this applies to Malik as well. Suddenly, Deja speaks up from where she’s been watching the exchange all along. She apologizes for disappointing her parents. But, she refuses to apologize for liking Malik and having the best day of her life with him.

Although the dinner was less than pleasant, it turned out quite better than expected. Beth and Randall allow Deja to continue seeing Malik but, only under supervision. And they finally try to get to know Malik a little bit better through their daughter’s eyes.

A Father’s Insecurities

In the last episode, Jack took Randall golfing. Now, he invites Randall’s favorite teacher Mr. Cory Lawrence over for dinner. Just as soon as Cory steps into the house and greets Randall warmly, it becomes apparent that the two are really close and Jack’s jealousy grows painstakingly obvious. Funnily enough, Kevin notes that Mr. Lawrence seems like a grown-up Randall.

Mitchell Haddad/NBC

At dinner, Randall and Cory get absorbed into their own little world much to Jack’s irritation. Thankfully, the general conversation soon circles a festival featuring black artists. And within minutes, Randall’s asking to come with the Lawrences the next time the festival rolls around. Cory would’ve been glad to say yes but sensing Jack’s apprehension, Mrs. Lawrence signals her husband to drop it. Seeing his chance, Jack immediately swoops in and promises Randall that they’d go as a family.

Later on, while preparing dessert, Rebecca tells Jack to stop trying to upstage Cory. She assures him that no matter how close Randall and Cory may seem, Jack’s son will always choose him. But, if he forces the kid to choose, he’d be forcing Randall to miss out on something he needs.

Mitchell Haddad/NBC

After dinner, Jack apologizes to Cory. He finally admits that with Randall’s growing complicated questions about his race and identity, he started feeling more and more out of his depth. And when he saw how close Randall and Cory were, his insecurity started rearing its ugly head. Jack even exclaims, “I can’t teach my son how to be black!” To which Cory bursts out laughing and says “Oh no, don’t do that.”

To help Jack, Cory gives him Langston Hughes’ book “The Weary Blues.” He was supposed to give it to Randall but, he lets Jack do it instead. Upon giving it to his son, Jack and Randall have a little heart to heart. Randall even recites his favorite of Hughes’ work titled “I, Too” for his dad. And in the end, the two promise to read the book together.

This Is Us continues Tuesday, November 12th, with “Sorry” at 9/8c on NBC.