This Is Us Season 3 Episode 1 Review: Nine Bucks
Brandon Vieira
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Raise your hand if you think Jack and Rebecca Pearson's relationship is a little too perfect.
Well, that wasn't always the case. In fact, This Is Us Season 3 Episode 1 reveals that the first date of everyone's favorite OTP was quite abysmal.
When Jack first laid his eyes on Rebecca, he knew that she was "the girl." After two seasons of epic Jack and Rebecca moments, it would have been easy to assume that once again Jack swept Rebecca off her feet. Their first date was super awkward. Didn't think Jack and Rebecca were relatable?
Think again!
For the first time since meeting him, This Is Us fans learned from Jack what not to do. For example, don't only bring nine dollars on a first date when you are trying to impress a girl. Also, don't shut down every conversation topic the girl tries to bring up. Deafening silence does not equal romance.
Rebecca: I'm sorry, I feel like I'm talking too much. Am I talking too much? Because I feel like I'm talking too much. Please tell me something about you.
Jack: Well, my name's Jack.
Luckily for Jack Pearson, Rebecca was able to look past the awkwardness of it all because of the way Jack looked at her the entire night. Swoon. After Rebecca kissed him, it seemed like this was the exact moment Jack won her heart.
Again that was not the case. Jack actually had some competition. He sees Rebecca with another suitor on her doorstep.
What grandiose romantic Jack Pearson gesture are we in store for next?
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This first date was an ideal situation for Jack and Rebecca. After last season, Jack and Rebecca came off as a little too perfect. Anymore perfection in their romance would start getting a lot more eye rolls.
Now that we know Jack and Rebecca didn't hit it off right away, it makes their relationship even more believable. I mean who has actually had a good first date? If you say me, stop lying.
The whole first date took place on the same day as a Pittsburgh Steelers game which saw Franco Harris make a massive comeback for the team.
As someone who only recently started watching football, I was super confused as to what the whole point of all this was, but then they talked about Harris's comeback when Jack saw Rebecca with another suitor and then it finally clicked.
Jack's going to make a comeback and get his girl! This Is Us' symbolism is always on point.
Someone else who was on point throughout "Nine Bucks," Beth! Susan Kelechi Watson absolutely slayed in her performance. Beth may perhaps be the most underrated character on this show.
The one thing I love so much about Beth is her relationship with Randall. Their banter together is so adorable that I sometimes find myself questioning whether Jack and Rebecca are the OTP or if Beth and Randall have taken that mantle.
Randall just wanted to have a non-confrontational 38th birthday, but he knew that the chances of that happening are slim when Beth has something on her mind.
Randall: It is my birthday and I need you to swear it on Oprah.
Beth: I'm not doing that.
Randall: Beth!
Beth: Fine. I will swear on Oprah.
Randall: Thank you.
Beth: Even Gayle let Oprah down sometimes.
Not only are Beth and Randall the cutest but Beth is also super badass which has never been more evident until "Nine Bucks." Her confrontation with Zoe and Kevin in which she accused them of "knocking boots" had me laughing so hard.
Watch This Is Us Season 3 Episode 1 NOW On Amazon Instant Video
However, we all already know that this show loves to make us laugh one second and then cry the next. Luckily, the tears this time were happy ones. Beth expressed her love to Kevin in a way only a sister-in-law could.
I adore you, bro-in-law. Okay, I know I don't always say it out loud because it kind of ruins my schtick but I do. You're the only person who talks to my kids like their people and not just kids. You're kind, you're funny and everything about the way you look says people should hate but everybody loves you. I love you.
Beth
Even though this is only the first episode, this scene between Beth and Kevin may be my favorite scene of the season. If Susan Kelechi Watson doesn't get an Emmy nomination next year, I am boycotting.
Despite Beth's misgivings, Kevin may have found a suitable love interest for once. Unlike everyone else on this show, poor Kevin hasn't been able to find a good match. I can't even remember the names of his love interests from This Is Us Season 1 and, he and Sophie were doomed from the start.
Zoe seems like someone who can challenge Kevin in a way he's never been before. There is a lot of potential between these two. Hopefully, she can get past his physical attractiveness and see the wonderful person Kevin is on the inside.
That's right people, even men as beautiful as Kevin deserve love too.
Beth: Zoe, you could be with any other guy. You're going to be with Kevin?
Zoe: Yes, I'm going to be with Kevin!
Beth: What in the holy hell are you think?
Zoe: What am I thinking? I'm thinking he looks like Batman and he is built like a truck.
While Beth was dealing with the Kevin and Zoe situation, Randall took Deja to William's old apartment where he asked her if she would be okay with he and Beth adopting her. The recently abandoned by her mother Deja, took exception to Randall claiming to have a similar life to here.
I'll admit I wasn't a huge fan of Deja during This Is Us Season 2, but we did get to see a softer side to her in this episode, which I enjoyed. Also, praise to her for finally realizing that she is special after talking to her birth father. She gives Randall the best birthday present ever when she agrees to the adoption!
It'll be great to see Beth, Randall and the kids embrace this new family of there's but I can't help but feel like something bad is going to happen soon. Sterling K. Brown is too good of a dramatic actor for the show just to let him be happy all the time.
While Randall and Kate had pretty good birthdays, for the most part, Kate had a pretty dismal birthday up until the very end. Kate wants to have a baby, but science and the universe just aren't on her side.
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Kate brings the mood way down at the birthday part Madison throws her. After being rejected by a doctor who refuses to perform IVF treatments on her, Kate has an understandable albeit uncomfortable meltdown when she blows out her candles.
It was a sad scene because I do so desperately want Kate to be happy but I also couldn't help but think about how underappreciated Madison is as a best friend. The girl made an actual carrot cake for her dieting friend. Kate needs to show Madison some appreciation every once in a while!
Fortunately, the IVF doctor changed her mind and is willing to move forward with Kate's treatments. After hearing that Kate's chances stand at about 10 percent, Toby decides to flush his anti-depressants which are affecting his sperm count.
This reckless decision by Toby is obviously going to cause more harm than good and, based on the flashforward we saw in season two, Kate's chances of having a baby this season don't seem great, especially since she is going to have to take care of Toby.
Speaking of flashforwards, it's revealed that the "she" old man Randall and adult Tess are referring to has a connection to Toby. Color me intrigued...
This was such a solid premiere, and it looks like This Is Us will go back to being a bit lighter at times like it was in season one, which makes me very happy.
What did you think of the This Is Us Season 3 Premiere?
Who do you think "she" is?
What are you hoping to see this season moving forward?
Let us know in the comments and if you need to catch up, make sure to watch This Is Us online!
Brandon Viera was a staff writer for TV Fanatic. He retired in May 2019..
