This Is Us Season 3 Episode 15 Review: The Waiting Room
Brandon Vieira
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Hospital waiting rooms; they seem like a perfect place to hash out all the family drama you thought you put to rest, right?
Most people would know the answer should be a big fat NO! Yet, the Pearsons aren't a normal family. Instead of coming together in solidarity to support their sister, tensions mounted between those in the waiting room and fights erupted.
After watching and investing in Kate's journey and her many attempts to have a baby, you would think she would be a major focus of This Is Us Season 3 Episode 15.
Yet, we didn't get to see Kate until the very end of "The Waiting Room." It was disappointing that we didn't get to witness the warrior woman Toby described.
Instead, we were stuck with the rest of the Pearson siblings and their melodrama.
Rebecca: How is Kate?
Toby: Amazing, through the whole thing.
Rebecca: When can we go see her?
Toby: I don't know as soon possible, hopefully. She asked to see Miguel first.
Miguel: Really?
Toby: No, not really. Sorry, that was my poor attempt at some humor. I'm really tired.
While Kate was dealing with her pregnancy, her twin brother was dealing with his dip in sobriety. After he took a sip of that drink on This Is Us Season 3 Episode 12, it was obvious Kevin's life was going to change, but I didn't realize it was going to be so drastic and sudden.
Sure, he had a hangover, and we're all a little grumpy when we have hangovers. Kevin wasn't just grumpy, he was downright mean, especially to his brother.
Related: This Is Us Season 3 Episode 14 Review: The Graduates
It was a little confusing that Kevin snapped at Randall so much considering their relationship was in a pretty solid place. They grew up so much and recently became the brothers they should've always been, supportive and loving.
All the progress they made in their relationship got thrown thrown out the window on "The Waiting Room," and it's disheartening.
Miguel, why don't you just relax and understand that Randall gets the final say in our family. He's the moral center over here. He's de facto hero dad. In fact, I'm surprised he's not back there trying to deliver Kate's baby with his bare hands right now.
Kevin
Kevin and Randall bonding during This Is Us Season 3 has been a significant highlight, but Kevin seems to have forgotten about all the progress they've made as brothers and throughout "The Waiting Room" continued to treat Randall terribly.
The only upside of this potential downward spiral for Kevin is that he has Zoe by his side. Let's face it, despite not being together nearly as long as he and Sophie, Kevin and Zoe are a much better match.
Sophie wasn't able to save Kevin from himself when they were together, but Zoe may be strong enough to do that. She comes from a rough upbringing and has dealt with much worse.
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The only thing Kevin has to worry about with Zoe is her putting her walls back up if he doesn't return to being the same man with whom she fell in love.
Kevin's struggle with sobriety will be the ultimate test for these two as a pairing, and if they manage to get past it, their relationship can survive anything.
Kevin and Zoe aren't the only romantic pairing facing quite a test moving forward. Randall and Kevin's tension may have been the most palpable, but Randall and his wife also dealt with some extreme tension.
Their situation has become repetitive. It seems like every time they get over a fight about their careers and how it will balance out with their family, another one erupts.
Related: This Is Us Season 3 Episode 13 Review: Our Little Island Girl
Frankly, their marriage woes are becoming kind of stale, mainly because it seems neverending. Randall and Beth either need to move on from the issue or take some time for themselves and figure out what they both want.
While it seems like their issues may never be solved, one thing is for sure; Beth loves the Pearson family. Although she and Randall were attempting to discuss their marital woes, that didn't stop Beth from taking care of Rebecca.
Rebecca and Beth's relationship is one that has never gotten explored, but whether it was her motherly instincts kicking in or just a genuine love for her mother-in-law, Beth jumped in when Rebecca was feeling light-headed.
It was a small moment that reminded Randall why Beth is amazing, and even if she has to work nights and weekends to be a dance teacher, that won't stop her from being a loving mother and wife.
It would nice if that particular moment signified the end of Randall and Beth's dispute, but they've shared so many low and high moments recently that it's doubtful that is the end of their relationship drama.
Randall: I know I'm all up in your business. I was just wondering if Dr. Monre is with my sister, Kate Pearson.
Nurse: The doctor will talk to you once he's out of surgery.
Randall: Cool, cool, cool, cool. I'm sorry, what does that mean? Does the doctor have something to say?
Nurse: The doctor will come and update you with any news.
Randall: Sorry, I just need some clarity.
Nurse: If the doctor has an update, he will share it with you.
Randall: You realize you just said the same thing three times just with different words.
Nurse: Just as you've been asking me the same question.
Randall: Copy that.
While all this Pearson drama was going on in the waiting room, Madison's attempt at being the best friend ever didn't go according to plan.
Seriously though, thank goodness for the Pearsons that they are all physically attractive because they can be pretty unwelcoming and downright awful to people who aren't in their inner circle.
Related: This Is Us Season 3 Episode 12 Review: Songbird Road Pt. 2
Fortunately, Madison managed to #RiseAbove all the hatred she was served and proved why she was Kate's bestie. This Is Us should consider doing an episode dedicated entirely to Madison because she deserves it.
Oh, and NBC should consider selling those Ruth Bader-Ginsburg dolls because, really, who wouldn't want one? Jack Jr. is in good hands with that doll sleeping next to him every night.
Now let's discuss the woman the hour should've focused on, Kate Pearson. Even though we didn't get to see her face the trauma of her early delivery, we got to see her and Toby visit the baby for the first time, and it was as magical as you could imagine.
We've been waiting for Kate and Toby to have their baby for what feels like forever, and I'm grateful the show didn't go with the easy "she loses another baby" route because that would've been way too cruel.
Oh my god, I already love him so much this is insane. I would murder someone for him, Toby. Like a full-on dragon.
Kate
Kate and Toby as parents will be a fun and interesting enough journey that will hopefully bring some light and laughter to the Pearson family, especially since it looks like things are only going to get darker for her siblings.
So come on This Is Us, just let Kate and Toby be happy for the rest of the season, okay?
What did you think of "The Waiting Room"?
Were you disappointed that we didn't see Kate until the end of the episode?
Was Kevin's sudden change in character a shock to you or were you expecting it?
Is it time for Beth and Randall to put their marital woes to bed?
Kate and Toby's baby was premature but seemed to be in good health. What do you think of this shockingly happy outcome?
Let us know in the comments below and if you need to catch up, make sure to watch This Is Us online right here on TV Fanatic.
Brandon Viera was a staff writer for TV Fanatic. He retired in May 2019..
