The first season of This Is Us premiered September 20, 2016 and ended on March 14, 2017 on NBC. The season consists of 18 episodes.
Summary[]
The series follows fraternal twins Kate and Kevin along with their adopted brother Randall as their lives intertwine. Kate and Kevin were originally part of a triplet pregnancy, conceived in a bar bathroom during Super Bowl XIV; however, their biological brother was stillborn. Their parents, Jack and Rebecca, intent on bringing home three babies, decide to adopt another newborn (Randall), a black child who was born on the same day, and brought to the same hospital after his biological father abandoned him at a fire station.
Episodes weave through the stories of the past and present of the characters. The flashback episodes take place in Pittsburgh, while the current time episodes are split between Los Angeles, New Jersey, and New York City.
Plots[]
Cast[]
Main Cast[]
- Milo Ventimiglia as Jack Pearson (18/18)
- Mandy Moore as Rebecca Pearson (17/18)
- Sterling K. Brown as Randall Pearson (17/18)
- Chrissy Metz as Kate Pearson (16/18)
- Justin Hartley as Kevin Pearson (16/18)
- Susan Kelechi Watson as Beth Pearson (17/18)
- Chris Sullivan as Toby Damon (15/18)
- Ron Cephas Jones as William Hill (16/18)
Recurring Guest Stars[]
- Niles Fitch as Teen Randall
- Lonnie Chavis as Young Randall
- Hannah Zeile as Teen Kate
- Mackenzie Hancsicsak as Young Kate
- Logan Shroyer as Teen Kevin
- Parker Bates as Young Kevin
- Eris Baker as Tess Pearson
- Faithe Herman as Annie Pearson
- Jon Huertas as Miguel Rivas
- Gerald McRaney as Dr. Nathan Katowsky
- Jermel Nakia as Young Adult William Hill
- Janet Montgomery as Olivia Maine
- Milana Vayntrub as Sloane Sandburg
- Ryan Michelle Bathe as Yvette
- Denis O'Hare as Jessie
- Adam Bartley as Duke
- Alexandra Breckenridge as Sophie
- Amanda Leighton as Teen Sophie
- Sophia Coto as Young Sophie
- Jill Johnson as Laurie
- Caitlin Thompson as Madison Simons
Recurring Co-Stars[]
Notes and Trivia[]
- In 2015, Mandy Moore, Milo Ventimiglia, Justin Hartley, Sterling K. Brown, and Ron Cephas Jones were the first to be cast in Dan Fogelman’s pilot. Chrissy Metz was later cast in the pilot, followed by Susan Kelechi Watson. Jon Huertas joined the cast in 2016.
Episodes[]
| No. in series | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "Pilot" | John Requa & Glenn Ficarra | Dan Fogelman | September 20, 2016 |
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| Several people whose lives are mysteriously intertwined begin to notice peculiar coincidences about each other in the series premiere of this dramedy. | |||||
| 2 | 2 | "The Big Three" | Ken Olin | Dan Fogelman | September 27, 2016 |
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| Toby helps Kate relax in the midst of her fervent quest to lose weight; and Beth questions the motives of Randall's biological father, as Randall adjusts to having his dad in his life. Meanwhile, Rebecca and Jack begin to feel distant from one another; and Kevin faces the consequences of quitting his job. | |||||
| 3 | 3 | "Kyle" | John Requa & Glenn Ficarra | Dan Fogelman | October 11, 2016 |
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| Rebecca encounters Randall's biological father when she makes a surprise visit to her son's home; Kevin decides to move to NYC to pursue a job on Broadway; and Toby plans a special day for Kate. In the past, Rebecca and Jack take their new babies home from the hospital and struggle to cope with the loss of a child. | |||||
| 4 | 4 | "The Pool" | John Requa & Glenn Ficarra | Dan Fogelman & Donald Todd | October 18, 2016 |
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| Rebecca and Jake take the kids to a community pool, where they realize each child's unique struggles. In the future, Kevin auditions for a Broadway play; Toby runs into his ex-wife while on a date with Kate; and William's reported as a loiterer in Randall's predominantly white neighborhood, exposing deep-seated racial tensions. | |||||
| 5 | 5 | "The Game Plan" | George Tillman | Joe Lawson | October 25, 2016 |
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| Rebecca and Jack get into an argument about starting a family. The family backstory behind the long line of love for the Pittsburg Steelers is revealed. After accepting his part in the play, Kevin realizes his script is relevant to his own life. Randall and Beth encounter an unexpected turn of events. | |||||
| 6 | 6 | "Career Days" | Craig Zisk | Bekah Brunstetter | November 1, 2016 |
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| Kate interviews for a new job that seems perfect, but there's a catch; Randall has doubts about his career choice; and Kevin and Olivia's relationship takes a turn. In the past, Rebecca and Jack feel conflicted after Randall tests as a gifted child. | |||||
| 7 | 7 | "The Best Washing Machine in the World" | Silas Howard | K.J. Steinberg | November 15, 2016 |
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| The dynamic of Randall and Kevin's rocky relationship is explained. Beth and William spend time together, which unexpectedly brings to light a secret William has been keeping. As Rebecca gets back to work for the first time in years, both she and Jack acknowledge that there is distance between them. Toby is caught straying from his diet regimen, throwing Kate into crisis. | |||||
| 8 | 8 | "Pilgrim Rick" | Sarah Pia Anderson | Isaac Aptaker & Elizabeth Berger | November 22, 2016 |
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| As Jack, Rebecca and the three kids make their way to Rebecca's parents' house for their traditional Thanksgiving holiday, an unforeseen detour occurs. Kate makes two drastic life-changing decisions. Kevin brings Olivia to Randall's house for Thanksgiving. Randall's heart is broken when he learns about a lifelong secret his mother has kept from him. | |||||
| 9 | 9 | "The Trip" | Uta Briesewitz | Vera Herbert | November 29, 2016 |
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| Kate, Kevin and Randall head to their family's cabin to get away after their chaotic family Thanksgiving. A very angry Randall finds comfort and explanation from his father, Jack. Olivia speaks a harsh truth to Kate, which drives a wedge between Kate and Kevin. Rebecca and Jack struggle with what to do when 9-year-old Randall tells them that he's been looking for his birth parents. | |||||
| 10 | 10 | "Last Christmas" | Helen Hunt | Donald Todd | December 6, 2016 |
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| The Pearsons discover Dr. K alone at the hospital on Christmas Eve after Kate's afflicted with appendicitis. In the present, Kevin celebrates Hanukkah with Sloane; Kate pursues her big surgery; and someone from William's past resurfaces. | |||||
| 11 | 11 | "The Right Thing to Do" | Timothy Busfield | Aurin Squire | January 10, 2017 |
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| Kate struggles with her feelings in the aftermath of Toby's heart attack. As William begins to spend more time with Jesse, Randall has to get used to his father's new relationship. After receiving the news they're expecting triplets, Jack and Rebecca must find a way to afford a home that can accommodate three babies. Olivia unexpectedly resurfaces, throwing both Kevin and Sloane for a loop. | |||||
| 12 | 12 | "The Big Day" | Ken Olin | Dan Fogelman & Laura Kenar | January 17, 2017 |
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| As the triplets birth approaches, Rebecca forgets Jack's birthday; Dr. K tries to carry on without his wife; The firefighter who delivered Randall to the hospital, fights to save his marriage. | |||||
| 13 | 13 | "Three Sentences" | Chris Koch | Joe Lawson & Bekah Brunstetter | January 24, 2017 |
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| Jack and Rebecca get in over their heads when they decide to throw Kate, Kevin and Randall three separate parties for their 10th birthday. Randall struggles to make time for William as things intensify at the office. Kevin makes a major decision in his romantic life. Kate's gastric bypass journey takes an unexpected turn. | |||||
| 14 | 14 | "I Call Marriage" | George Tillman | Kay Oyegun | February 7, 2017 |
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| Toby throws a wrench in Kate's weight loss journey. Randall struggles to accept his father's deteriorating health. Miguel and Shelly break some devastating news to Jack and Rebecca, which makes them worry about their own relationship. Rebecca receives an amazing work opportunity. Kevin examines his romantic past. | |||||
| 15 | 15 | "Jack Pearson's Son" | Ken Olin | Isaac Aptaker & Elizabeth Berger | February 14, 2017 |
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| Kevin stresses about the premiere of his play and receives support from an unexpected source; Randall struggles under the pressure of both his work and ailing father; Rebecca and Jack's Valentine's Day doesn't go as planned; and Toby and Kate learn each other's secrets. | |||||
| 16 | 16 | "Memphis" | John Requa & Glenn Ficarra | Dan Fogelman | February 21, 2017 |
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| Randall and William take a road trip to Memphis, where Randall learns about his biological father's past. | |||||
| 17 | 17 | "What Now?" | Wendey Stanzler | K.J. Steinberg & Vera Herbert | March 7, 2017 |
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| The entire Pearson family gather at Randall's for an unusual party; Kevin and Sophie's relationship deepens on the night of his play's premiere; Kate struggles to open up to Toby about her father's death; and tensions are high between Jack and Rebecca as she leaves on tour with her band. | |||||
| 18 | 18 | "Moonshadow" | Ken Olin | Dan Fogelman & Isaac Aptaker & Elizabeth Berger | March 14, 2017 |
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| In the first-season finale, Jack heads to Cleveland to make things right with Rebecca on the night of her first big gig with the band. Then, Randall, Kate and Kevin make big decisions about their futures. | |||||
Reception[]
Gallery[]
Posters[]
