That Was Us - The Truth About Laurel | "Forty: Part Two" (502)

Episode Date: February 10, 2026

On today’s episode of That Was Us, we’re diving into Season 5, Episode 2: Forty: Part Two. Tensions are running high at the cabin, we continue unraveling the events surrounding The Big Three’s birth, and we learn a surprising revelation about Randall’s biological mother. Plus, Mandy, Chris, and Sterling have fun in the studio recalling moments they couldn't stop laughing on set, the moments from this episode that deeply impacted them, and more! That Was Us is produced by Rabbit Grin Productions. Music by Taylor Goldsmith and Griffin Goldsmith. ------------------------- Support Our Sponsors: - Refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Go to https://Quince.com/twu for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. - Try Zip Recruiter for free at https://ZipRecruiter.com/TWU. ZipRecruiter. The smartest way to hire. - Article is offering our listeners $50 off your first purchase of $100 or more, to claim, visit https://www.article.com/twu and the discount will be automatically applied at checkout. ------------------------- 🍋 About the Show: The stars of This Is Us, Mandy Moore, Sterling K. Brown, and Chris Sullivan, dive back into the world of the Pearsons, reliving each episode and all the life lessons that came with it. Together, they dig in and dig deep, have the tough conversations, bring in very special and familiar guests, share never-before-heard behind-the-scenes moments, and feature listeners in highly anticipated fan segments. Join your favorite family back in the living room to examine our past, cherish our present, and look to the future with new episodes of That Was Us every Tuesday. ------------------------- 00:00:00 Intro 00:00:32 Discussion 01:02:32 Fan Segment 01:15:13 Outro Executive Producers: Natalie Holysz and Rob Holysz Creative Producer: Sam Skelton Production Coordinator: Andrew Rowley Video Editor: Todd Hughlett Mix & Master: Jason Richards Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode of That Was Us, we're diving into Season 5 episode 2, 40, part 2. Tensions are running high at the cabin. We continue unraveling the events surrounding the Big Three's birth, and we learn a surprising revelation about Randall's biological mother. Gang, how's it going? We're good. All right, it seems like another episode, but we're really just continuing. Yeah, we're continuing.

The first episode into this episode. And we're excited, right? Had a lovely conversation with Jennifer C. Holmes. And now we're sort of getting into the meat of the back half of the season five premiere. Yes. Right? We ended the episode, like before the next act break or whatever, with Randall. On his way to the cabin.

On his way to the cabin. And then at the very beginning of the episode, we're at the cabin. Kevin opens the door to find Randall standing there. Kate said that she called him when she couldn't reach Kevin. after discovering Rebecca was lost. So it's the first time these two brothers are seeing each other since we've seen what we saw at the end of season four.

Yeah. I remember it feeling that way because we didn't just have a hiatus. Right. An extended hiatus. It was extended because of the pandemic. We normally come back in July, yeah. It felt like, because we haven't seen them together, it felt like they hadn't seen each other in a long time.

Yeah, it really had. Yeah. As I watch, so there's a couple of things that have happened. At the end of season four, we have Randall doing some very Machiavellian sort of things to get his mom to agree to do this clinical trial. A little bit, a little bit. A little bit. It's not his proudest moment.

No. No. For sure. And as I, what I really clocked in this, like, beginning of this episode, this back half of the, of the, of the, the premiere is the judgment or the sort of frustration that he had had with regards to mom's care is sort of like the world happened. Yeah. Do you know what I mean?

Yeah. And like you see Kev sort of being like, you know, look, man, everything was fine with mom. Nothing was going wrong or whatnot. Like, just something that happened. And I said, I know you did the best that you could, bro. Like this kind of thing happens. It's all good, right? Like there's no sort of sense of judgment on kids.

about like what happened to mom. It's just like, I just want to see my mom. Yeah, make sure she's okay. You know what I'm saying? Like, I don't know when was the next time I was going to see my mom, et cetera. And now you told me that she was lost for a second. So I just, I'm here to experience the woman that I love in the best way that I can. And you guys, I know you're doing the best you can.

Great. Right. Right. And the irony of the way the world has unfolded is that for all of the Machiavellian things that he has done, she is now. not going to St. Louis. He's not going to St. Louis. And so there is a kind of a feeling of me watching it being like,

all that. All that. For what? For nothing. Which you actually couldn't have written. They could not have written it that way because that wouldn't have played. It's like you played that card. Now what happened?

And now because of this thing, we detonated something massive. We're right back where Kevin had left it. Right. Yeah. which has got his you can set i could sense a little bit of the unspoken i told you so slash embarrassment of that yeah is in the air too for sure of everything else then and then like as he's going upstairs to see mom like kate saying like she says something about i can only imagine what you're going through right now and like it must be hard for you so thanks for coming he's like

cool cool yeah yeah she in the back she's up here right yeah i'll catch you guys in the moment So at the cabins, present day, Randall's talking to Rebecca in the bedroom. And I love, like, I love that he's just sitting there. He's just waiting. Just sitting there. Like, I don't want to interrupt anything. I don't like, and it, it sort of reminds me of like, there's these times in which I go home and I see mom. And you don't want to wake somebody up.

You don't want to disturb them. But you're just so happy. To be in their presence. To be there. Yeah. You know, he's just really, really, you know, really. happy to be there. And that's the sense. And then mom wakes up. She's like, hey, what are you doing here? Mandy got to do some excellent wake-up acting, which we had talked about. We talked about

wake-up. There's all kinds of ways to wake-up. By the way. Very good wake-up acting. Wow, thank you. I was thinking about wake-up acting as I most recently watched weapons. I didn't tell you guys this because there's a lot of wake-ups. A lot of time. Have you seen weapons? I've seen half of it. And then I was like, I can't watch this before I go to bed. Yeah. Probably not. Probably not. Yeah, it was like there was one thing where someone was on the ceiling and I was like,

ah, turn this off. I can't. Nope, nope, nope. But it's just so I can end on a better note, my man who plays Mark, what's his name again? Oh, Austin Abrams. Austin Abrams is in weapons. It's very good. He's very good.

Completely different character. And then like he lost weight. I was like, because for a second, I was like, is that him? Yeah. Because it looked like he lost like 10 pounds in the face. I was like, man, you go all in. But there's some good wake-up, actually. And so mom gets to wake up and we have this lovely conversation.

She's like, you know, I didn't know if I was going to see or not. Like, our Beth and the girls here, like, no, you'll see him the next time and whatnot. And she just sort of talks through, like, he's like, can you tell me what happened? Right. Like, and it's, there are times in which I see Randall leading a conversation, and there's times in which he's just like, like, it was a color. Like I said before, that like I liked, I actually enjoyed seeing from that character. Because especially at the end of season four, he's always just trying to wringle and guide and just sort of like divert. Yeah, manipulate a little.

And manipulate. And in this moment, there's none of that thing. Which I was like, oh, thank God I don't have to manipulate people. Yeah, he's just kind of like bearing witness, right? Bearing witness, right? And you're telling, like, you know, I'm not sure what happened, you know, I just kind of lost my way and now I got back and everything. So I only have this little poison ivy that's going on or what have you. And you see Randall, what I love about it is like he just clocks everything.

You know what I mean? Like he's that dude. He's a little bit, you know, Encyclopedia Brown is doing his thing all the time, but bearing witness to it. And then at the end of the conversation, mom goes like, are Beth and the girls here? And he's like, no, no, no, but you'll see him next time, right? Doesn't make a big thing of it, but like just like, you asked me the same thing twice in the span of like maybe 90 seconds, right?

Also, when she mentioned the, like, taking medication for her poison ivy, it's like I could see something in Randall like, I remember, let me think back to the conversation I have with the, doctor. There were a couple of medications at the doctor. It's like you know that Randall would be that person who would remember exactly the kinds of, the list of medications that the doctor said would interact with the medication she put Rebecca on. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Anyway, there's also, okay, like there's the whole mentioning of like, you telling me that, you know, she's been thinking about William a lot lately and wonders if this would have happened in St. Louis. So those two

different things, right? So you ask like, you know, do you think this would have happened if I had gone to the clinical trial? And he simply says, I'm not sure. And then you talk about like, I've been thinking a lot about William. And he says, we don't have to talk about that right now. And you're like, well, if not, now, then when? Right. So there's a, there is a part of you that recognizes the importance of engaging with your son about his past. Because at the end of season four, with our therapist played brilliantly by Pamela Adlon, he winds up telling her like, look, you have a point about a lot of this stuff. But the idea of relitigating it right now as she's dealing with what she has to deal with, it's not something I'm really interested in.

I just want her to be okay. And it almost seems as if part of you being okay is actually being like, I actually have, it's not about like necessarily like I have some stuff that I would like to talk about too. Yeah. Before I can't. Because that was part of the thing. you walking around in town and you're like, I saw him. Is that William?

I thought that was him. You didn't reshoot it. It was just like the same footage from last season. Yeah. It was, we did a really nice job of sort of being like, oh yeah, that's right. That's what happened.

Right. In that episode. Right. Because that wasn't the last episode. That was like the Thanksgiving episode. Right, yeah, yeah. Right, right, right. Long time ago.

Kate tells Kevin to fix the, this, you know, this kind of got me. I actually wrote a note about this where Kate is saying like, listen, I know this stuff is going on between you and Randall right now. It's real tense, but I need you to fix this. You know what I'm saying? Like, that's our brother. He's now starting to treat me a little bit strange or whatnot.

And I got, like, I teared up a lot in this thing. But I was just like seeing our sister being like, this doesn't work, right? Like we haven't even done like the big three chant. It's our birthday. It's our freaking, but we're 40, not just our birthday. Yeah. It's a big milestone birthday. And like, nobody's talking to each other.

Like, fix this shit, bro. Yeah. I was like, all, sis, I appreciate you saying something. You know what I mean? Doodoo do. The world is on fire. This is enough. Fix it.

Toby talks to Miguel. And this is, I, like, this was really lovely. And I'll set it up for you. I love when John gets to have these moments, right? Absolutely. I was so excited. He and I sitting down. Yeah.

Yeah. And you're not just silly Toby. Like you guys are genuinely having a real connection and a real conversation. Yeah. And I mean, he and I got to share the screen only a handful of times. And so I was so excited to come back and get this little scene. What do you think about it? Like, you, you like...

I mean, this is the scene where I, you know, I've come back, I've come back to work as a father. And I just instantly was like, none of this is important. Like, especially everything going on. the world. Yeah. Baby. And I can see it in my performance. I feel so comfortable. And so there's no anxiety in me. And I'm so loose. And John was the same. Like, it would just, we just felt, like, so much had changed in that, in that hiatus. And it was, it was just a nice moment of, like, like, what we're talking about here. With my life, with his, with Miguel and Rebecca's life, with everyone's life.

Yeah. It's one day at a time. Yeah, man. Let's just everybody slow down. Good show. It's a good show. Yeah. You know what I mean?

And it's all applicable. It all applies. Hot take. Is it indeed better than the original? Is the Netflix one? I haven't seen. It was good. It was Justina Machado and Rita Moraine.

or whatnot. Did you watch it or? Yeah. Oh, yeah. It was very good. But also, look, Valerie Bertinale and who's mom? What's her name? Back in the original.

Yeah. Oh, I don't know. My man Schneider. Like, I grew up on that joint. They both pretty sorry. Yeah, the showrunner, the new one was a college classmate. Yeah. Get out of here.

Shout out to Gloria Calderon. Shout out to Gloria. But it was lovely to see you sort of, Well, I think what happens is like you wind up sharing a piece of yourself that very little people know about with regards to your medication that you take every day for, was it for anxiety? For anxiety, right? Not a lot of people know about this except for possibly Kate. But and then the advice that you got from the doctor is like, am I going to have to, like the refill on the prescription is in perpetuity or something? Yeah, you have unlimited refills. Unlimited refills. And it's like, oh, shit. Am I going to.

have to deal with this for the rest of my life. And the dogs are like, man, just one day at a time. You're like, I don't know if that really helps me the way that I need to, but then with perspective, you know what I'm saying? Like, that's really the only way that I can deal with any of this stuff. That's the only way any of us can deal with anything. It's too overwhelming otherwise. It's too overwhelming.

I was saying to a friend of mine that, you know, my anxiety is constantly trying to pull me into the future. Sure. And my resentment is constantly pulling me into the past. Yeah. And then I have these two children who are... Demand present. Now machines.

Mandate. Yeah. Like, not just give it to me now. It's like, no, this is the moment. There is no choice. There is no past. There is no future. There's only this.

Yeah. And it's a hard, it's a hard thing to remember. that one day at a time is a slogan that can feel diminutive or dismissive. But it's stood the test of time for a reason. Totally. Yeah. Totally. More that was us after this short break.

It's so underrated how much easier life gets when your clothes just work. Not flashy, not complicated, just pieces you can throw on in. feel good in without overthinking it. And this episode is sponsored by Quince, which honestly fits that idea perfectly. Quince focuses on elevated essentials that feel effortless, the kind of pieces you reach for again and again because they actually make getting dressed simpler. And they really cover the staples. From 100% organic cotton sweaters to premium denim with stretch, to those soft cotton cashmere blends that feel polished but still comfortable. What stands out to me is the quality, y'all. Look at this jacket.

This chalk, this denim coat. So much you working with big dog. You can feel it in the fabrics, the stitching, the fit. These are pieces that hold up and don't lose their shape or feel after a few wears. What you're loving right now. I'm loving this. I'm telling you guys, I'm a Quinn's Prince. You are a Quinn's Prince.

QP! I have so much quince in my closet. But whenever I come to do the podcast, I'm like, okay, well, what's going to be comfortable while we do this for a few hours? Yeah. But what's going to look good on camera? Come on. And it's all, whatever I reach for, it's always. always a quince piece.

Yes, sir. Quince fits the bell. Quince also works directly with safe ethical factories and cuts out the middlemen. So you really get high quality materials like European linen

and organic cotton without paying luxury brand markups. I have a few quince pieces that have quietly become my go-to options. They look good, they feel good, and they last. I've seen you in those cashmere sweaters.

Yeah. I've been killing cashmere sweaters. I've seen you in those cashmere sweat. Come on now. Quince, it's just it's one of those brands that makes you appreciate the basics again.

Yeah. The kind of wardrobe that just supports your day instead of distracting from it. Refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Go to quince.com slash TWU for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada 2. That's Q-U-N-C-E.com slash T-WU to get free shipping and 365-day returns. Quince.com slash T-WU.U. I've been looking ahead of my calendar and realizing how much spring travel sneaks up on you,

especially because February is a short month. Sneaky, sneaky. It's not always a big vacation. Sometimes it's work, family visits, or just getting out of town for a few days. I know I've got to do some traveling for the season two premiere of Paradise. Lots of travel there for promotion, et cetera, et cetera. We are getting ready for spring break. It's going to be here before you know it.

And you better bet that I am going to be coming. on Airbnb to help us find the best place with a washer and dryer and a kitchen and bathrooms and bathtubs and all the things that you need when you're traveling with three children. Yeah, we're trying to get up to the mountains with the kids with all this fresh snow, go up to Lake Arrowhead, and we have been delaying our booking. But luckily, Airbnb has plenty of options for us to investigate. And while you're off on those trips, your home is usually just sitting empty. That's where hosting your home on Airbnb can be a smart, practical way to make the most of your space.

And now hosting is easier than ever with Airbnb's co-host network, where you can hire a local co-host who already has hosting experience to help handle things while you're away. A co-host can help manage reservations, message guests, and be there in person so everything runs smoothly. And when you're traveling as a family, the last thing you want is to be distracted by what's happening back home. Having a trusted co-host means you can actually be. present on your trip, focused on your family, knowing your home and your guests are in good hands. With a co-host, you have peace of mind knowing someone local has eyes on your home and your guests, so you can relax, unplug, and enjoy being away. If you've considered hosting, but maybe

need some help, find a co-host at Airbnb.com slash host. There's also things, and we'll probably come to a little bit, but like, I like the nature of the love that we see between Rebecca and Miguel, like, you know, as we move through this back half of the show, the series or whatnot, like, it feels like settled and grounded. And there's times in which you guys kiss each other, and it's not, like, passionate, but it is present. And just sort of like, oh, I like seeing this version of mom with this guy. Yeah. It's quite lovely. Yeah, it's romantic and it's, like, comfort.

Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Okay. So Miguel gets a call back from Rebecca's doctor, right? And he's trying to figure out, you know, like, is there anything that he should be doing or whatever it tells about? Rebecca's relapse. And then Randall barges into the conversation she writes, our producer.

Oh, yeah, he does insert himself, but he has a question. Ask her about, blah, blah, blah. This medication that she may have been taken for a poison ivy and how it could have interacted with her regular medication. The histamine. Yes. And the doctor basically says, like, yes. That was on the list. That could be a cause of the-activating an episode, essentially.

Of activating an episode, right? and everybody sort of is like, that's nice to know. Because like the whole thing that he's saying to you in the conversation, like she was doing so well. Right. Like everything seemed like the air, just the environment, everything seemed to be going so well. And then, you know, something happened. And like, and Randall comes in and he's like, you know, can I talk to her? He's like, Randall, he's always just trying to be like, will you please leave me?

And I was like, listen, man, I try. I need to know about this medication and what happened. And then he was right. And then for a second, you're like, oh, no, is this going to be reason for him to have a bit of an I told you so attitude? And he doesn't? But he doesn't. He and Miguel are like, good job.

You too. All right. Figured it out. We got it. Cool, cool. And the episode sort of ends, not the actual episode, but her episode ends when the medication sort of wears off. So it was just sort of like, okay.

Yeah. She rested. everything seems to be kind of coming back to normal. Right. Yeah. Now, this is when things start to, like, get, like, I feel like. Well, yeah, because Randall's like, all right, my job is done here. I'm out of here.

I'm going to go home with my girls and celebrate my birthday. And we'll get into the heavy, the heaviness is about to come, but do you remember me trying to deliver the line but cake to you with a straight face? No, but it just saw. It came back to me when I heard the delivery. everyone's going and I couldn't get this line I couldn't get the line out but I was like but cake and then I'd look up at you I couldn't I'm like what is Toby such an idiot like no you brother and says like please get saved and Toby's like but there's cake you're really going to leave without

cake I couldn't I couldn't on the day I remember like look like in the shot you my back is to the camera Because she just couldn't say it without laughing. My eyes are watering because I thought it was so funny. It is really funny. Like, that his response is... You can't leave. There are reasons to be it. It's a strong argument.

Yeah, and the way that the writers wrote it, just butt cake. Yeah. But cake. That's a whole other. There's a sort of matter-of-factness to random. all right, she's good. I promised my wife and girls that I was going to be there. You know, you can't even really like hug each other.

It's almost like the world provided a convenient sort of opportunity for like, I'm not here to get super close. And I probably wouldn't have been here to get super close. I just was here to make sure my mama was okay. Yeah. Right. And now that she is? I'll see you guys later.

He's sort of like elbows. And I think, does he say happy birthday or something? Yeah. But cake. Then he's on his way out the door. Yeah. And then outside now. Here comes Kate.

Here comes Kate. And we have this conversation. And this is, I don't know how Randall finds himself in the middle of these thing, Mjiggas, but this one was special for a multitude of reasons. As we were saying in the last episode, like, you have a lot of people reaching out to you during this time. your non-black friends, mostly white, and just checking in like, what can I do to help? How can I be a service, et cetera?

And internally, you're trying to figure out for yourself, I'm not sure. Like, I need to figure out, like, how can I be okay in this moment? Recognizing also that they don't know that you're probably getting these calls and texts from several people. And we're just burdening you with more questions and can you help us help you? Yeah, yeah.

It certainly didn't help that everyone would just sit. at home not knowing totally what to do it was a moment when the world had stopped yeah and we all everybody saw it all at the same time and they're like to be in action i know what i can do i know sterile i know randall you know what i'm saying and it's and i think for me i because other friends of mine reacted in different ways with like real waves of anger and frustration and that's never been my uh i am slow to ophphousy because I assume the best of people in life, regardless of color, creed, sex, et cetera.

I assume that people mean well, for the most part. And like every once in a while, it'll bite you, but I choose to face the world that way because I like that version of myself. Yeah. It makes your life more enjoyable. You know what I'm saying? I like that version of myself.

So I was never sort of like, Kurt or dismissive. I'd be like, and sometimes I would be short, I'd be like, thanks, bud. I was like, I'll let you know. You know, something like that just so you, you know, kind of keep it moving, by the way. You know what I'm saying?

I appreciate that. Right. But so this conversation is about this thing, right? Kate is asking me, like, you know, is like, everything okay between us? Like you've been a little short or whatnot. Like I just, I know things must be really difficult for you and I'm really sorry for what you're going through, et cetera. And he ultimately is sort of like, okay, like, what are you?

apologizing about. And she's like, well, like, what specifically you're talking about, you know? And he says, this isn't the first time a black man has been killed on camera. So why now, right? And she's like, ah, I don't know what to say. You know what I'm saying?

I'm afraid of saying the wrong thing. And he's like, okay. So this is interesting because, like, these sort of things have been happening throughout my life, and we never got a chance to talk about them when I was a boy. And one of the things that kept me from talking about them is that I was always sort of concerned

about how my feelings might affect you all and not making you feel uncomfortable. Right, right? And so we're all sort of like, sister understandably is like, bro, I don't know what to do. And I know you don't know what to do. And I don't know exactly what to do too. But I kind of just need to go and be

with these people that I love, my daughters and my wife. And the idea that you're uncomfortable is okay. Because there's a time in which, like, your tears would have mandated for me that I have to come and hug you to make you feel better. And I say, like, you know, Kate, and if I do that, then where does that leave me? Right. And I got to say, like I remember some of the chatter on the app formerly known as Twitter

and how people responded to it. Because some people were like, well, she didn't do anything wrong. And I was like, I don't think he said she did anything wrong. No. In fact, he said she didn't do anything. You know what I mean? Like there's a complicated, difficult situation that's happening between two people who love each other, who are doing what they need to do best for themselves.

Right? Yes. Good. What are you going to say? Please. My watching of it this time, I understood it differently than I did even the first time. Really? I was like, so what is the balance between acknowledgement and burden?

Right? The takeaway from this scene is not that you shouldn't have this conversation. The takeaway is you should have this conversation. And you should feel uncomfortable. Right. Yeah, without placing the burden or the other person to do something about it, to make you feel less comfortable or less uncomfortable. Does this make you feel uncomfortable?

Good. Yeah. Yeah. That's what you can do. Totally. You can be uncomfortable. Right. And you can sit in your discomfort.

Yes. And figure out what that means to you. Yeah. And go from there. Yeah. Because Randall has been sitting with this. his whole life. Right.

And on a macro scale, the black community has been sitting with this for their entire existence. Yeah, man. Excellent. We are glad to hear that everyone is uncomfortable. Yeah. That's okay. That's a good start to acknowledgement. Again, undergirding this conversation is this care for each other because it ends

with, I love you. I love you too. and they're both. Like nobody feels great, but the love doesn't go away. You know what I'm saying? Like this acknowledgement of awkwardness, of discomfort or whatever,

it doesn't mean that I stop loving you. Right. Which is the point. Which is the point. And I think it's unavoidable. Like you said, like sometimes it's not supposed to feel good. It's not like,

this is not a conversation where you should come out, like patting yourself on the back, like, okay, that's solved. It's not solved. It's like this repair is continuous work. Yeah. It's, it accumulates over time. It's not one and none by any means.

So it's like, I just don't think this is a conversation where anybody, any party should come out of it being like, okay, well, that's that. This is not about. This is the start. Yeah. And this dude, Ken Olin, I can remember, I remember there were times I think in certain takes where I was like, I gave myself a negative. direction. And that negative direction is like, I'm not going to cry. And it wasn't helpful, right? Because it sort of, it sort of created this wall. And he said, all right, Sterell, like, I need you to, he said, I don't know if it was loosened up. I said, I need you to be fully present for whatever's

going to happen and just be in a state of allowance. And I was like, I was like, all right, man. Because then there was something that transpired that was, and it comes naturally when you're dealing with sister. Because everything sister does is just like, Sister's a big bundle of raw nerd. And not to speak too far out of school, but she's never been less excited to do a scene in her life.

Really? Yeah. She hated everything about this. Like, yeah. Yeah, it was, yeah. Yeah, and everybody, we all know, this about sister. Like it's like it's no secret. Like she's been on the podcast. She'll tell you like to herself. She's like, I just, I don't know how to be any other way other than that. Right. So she's an easy person to love. And once he gave me that, like, I surprised myself. I was like, oh man, why am I?

I didn't mean to do that. All right. And then sort of, but that was, that's what would have probably happen. Yeah. Sure. I love this trick, right? Okay. So then she goes back into the house. And is there anything that happens between this, between Kevin comes out? There's some other scenes, but there's a jump cut essentially to- Yeah. So we'll jump to that one. To Kevin coming out. Randall's walking to the car, Kev comes out and he's like, hey, Randall. And he goes, you know, I'm having a boy and a girl, right? It's twins. And I say congratulations. This scene is played expertly. Yeah, so masterfully by the two of you. The

the josting or the fencing. It's more precise than jousting. Yeah. Of like trying to, and somebody ducking and dodging the emotional, like, hey, what about that? Yeah. Yeah, no, thanks.

Right. Yeah, you know, it's just. It's so intentional. It's so intentional. Intentional is a great word. Yeah. And it's so uncomfortable. Dude.

Yeah, like who's going to be the first to allow any sort of like real emotion or acknowledgement of like, holy shit, you're having, you're having a boy in a good. Like, you're waiting for Randall because that's like his natural state. Yeah. Is he loves his family and Kevin loves his brother and it's, you just want to be like, you guys. Yeah. I know you have some shit, but like.

Yeah. But both of them. It's like, it's your birth. You know, it's you as an audience member, you're like, God, I want them to put this aside so bad. But I get it. And I appreciate it and I respect it. But yeah, it's interesting to see both of you guys like muted. He says to me, he goes like, you know, I think you're actually the first person that I told, right?

He says, I've been a boy. You know, I know what that's like, but like little girl. Like I can't really wrap my mind around it. And I got three of them in the house, right? And I tell them, I say, you know what? The mom will probably be better at it than you. like she'll probably be better at most of the stuff, right? Yeah.

And so then it sort of helps us sort of like reframe Madison, like in a new way and being like, is this going to happen? Like are these people going to spend their lives together, et cetera? And what is it, how does that end with, Kev says something else and Randall says I got to go? Yeah, I got to get home. There's a lot of just happy birthday, happy birthday. It's very.

Yeah. Yeah. But there's that linger, right? Because you think like maybe Randall's going to say something else. Because in the midst of everything still, what's happening in the background is like we still said what we said. Yep. When last we saw each other. That bell is still ringing. And it's interesting because I've had moments like this with my brother.

I'm not even going to put Sullivan on the spot. He doesn't like to talk about this type of stuff. But one day off camera, I'll get into it. Me and my brother said some things to each other, over mom even, or over just like how we conduct our lives. And it takes a minute for one or both of us to be like, hey, man, you're still my brother. Right? Like, and I don't even know, to be honest with you, if sorry necessarily transpires in life. but there is sort of like a deciding to like be in communication, be in relationship with

one another regardless. Yeah. That probably happens a lot. Like there's people saying some wild-ass stuff. It's like, I can't get rid of you. You know what I'm saying? We still got to deal with all the stuff that we got to deal with. So da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da.

Yeah. Randall goes home. On his way home. Is there anything else in the cabin before we go? Yes. Let's finish the car. Well, there's the last scene with Rebecca and Miguel. Well, she basically says she's not worried about forgetting about the big stuff.

It's the little things that she's not ready to let go up. This got me a lot. Yeah. And it's also a huge foreshadow. Correct. Another thing that I had forgotten about. Yes. She says it's the little things.

It's the regular Saturday with the kids. And nothing to do. With nothing to do. Yeah. And it is the last episode of our show. And it's footage from the last episode. It's footage from the last episode of our show. I was like, okay.

This is part of the relationship, though. Also, you spoke about it briefly with Miguel and Rebecca that I really admire the way you both played it, but also the way it's written, is that like, there is no hesitation in Rebecca to talk about her life before Miguel. Yeah. special it was. Sure. And there's no resentment in Miguel to talk about it. Totally. You know what I mean?

Like there's no like stiffening. Some grown folk stuff, man. It really is. Yeah, yeah, yeah. You don't want to talk about a handbook. Yeah. Like, it really is. Some adult, I know who I am and what I bring to the table and I'm comfortable enough to acknowledge that what you experienced and I know firsthand because that was my best friend. Yeah. She says the things that mean the most to me he wasn't even in, I mean, he wasn't even in your life at that time. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I mean, he wasn't. You know what I mean? Exactly.

In that way, it's like a real. Also, it's like, it just shows the love. Sure. That she feels comfortable enough to admit that. But it is, you know, it is true. It's like, as parents now, it's like the things we, you know, the, what is it, the, the days are long, but the years are short. Like, it's the idea of, of, you know, the, the things.

That part of her life, piecemeal, like, disappearing is like, and it is. It's those quiet moments. It's those little moments where nothing big in particular happened. It's the, you know, innocuous game of pin the tail on the donkey on a lazy Saturday morning with the kids, like, or we didn't have big plans. Like that, like, those are the things I want to remember, too. Yeah, totally. And it's back to what you were talking about earlier about, about the age that we live in, this digital age. of distraction.

Where it's very hard to have nothing to do. Come on. Like, I was trying to think about, like, how I'm going to apply that to my life. And it's like, my kids don't ever have nothing to do. Yeah. That's not possible anymore. Right. We're going to have to get to the mountains.

We're going to have to get out of Wi-Fi. You know, this can have to be in the Wi-Fi. It is. It is why they say it's so important for kids to know what boredom is. Yes. We know what boredom was. Creativity takes place in the void of boredom. Yeah.

You know what I mean? Man, I remember some summer, some of those summer days, summer. That were interminable that you were like, this is never going to end. When do I go back to school? Yeah. All your friends have gone for some reason. And you and your brother have been kicked out of the house. Your mom is like, I don't care what you do.

Just go outside. It's like, it's Sacramento. It's 95 degrees. And you're both laying on the front lawn, staring up into a tree, being like, what now? Sure. What are we going to, and it's actually, it's actually, painful. Yeah. Like, we gotta, I gotta come up with something to do. Yeah. Yeah. It's good. I mean, it's gone. The days of looking into the sky and seeing shapes out of clouds. Do kids even know what that is? Bear, Bear loves to do that.

He does. We need to hold on to that and keep doing it. Keep doing it. Well, and Miguel and Rebecca sort of talk about he brings her outside. He shows her some apple seeds. And he's just, basically echoes this one day at a time. Like I'm betting on us and the good years that we have ahead of us. It's going to take six to ten years. Yeah. It's like, I'm okay. We got time.

Yeah. Yeah, she sort of like starts to protest and he's like, no. Like, we're in it together. I'm here for you. The payoff. It's beautiful. I forgot that that was a payoff in the end. Yep.

That's the thing. It's like, whoa, we have the last episode, the like second to last episode, third to last episode, like all of that is sort of, those seeds, proverbial seeds are planted right now and 501. It's pretty good. Damn those writers. We got to finish. In the cabin, there's a little Cotoby action.

There's news trying to tell her about these children. Tell them what you was telling. Toby comes in all excited and is trying to talk about how, you know, wants to acknowledge the current stressful situation that his wife is going through. through, but says that we will get it right with our children. Why is he using that word? Our children. Our children.

More than one child. She's like, are you trying to tell me something? The multiple. One child. So, yeah, he came back, or he... He heard from the adoption agency. He came back to his phone for some reason. There were six messages from the adoption agency that we have a match.

That we have a match. We're getting a baby. Here's a photo of the mother. Yeah. Yeah. Sister's reaction, too, is like the joy, the anticipation or whatever. Like, again, this is what happens on this is us. Once something opens you up, then everything...

It's your... Yeah. You were just an exposed raw nerve. Well, there goes the afternoon. Yeah. More that was us after these words from our sponsors. You know, I was just thinking, It's funny how much hiring and dating actually have in common.

No, hear me out. When you first meet someone, you're genuinely interested. You don't just jump in blind. You ask real questions. What are you looking for? What actually matters to you? What's a deal breaker? Because the answers tell you pretty quickly

whether this is something worth pursuing or not. And if you skip that part, you usually end up wasting a lot of time. Well, the same goes for hiring. You definitely want to address key questions first to see if somebody could be the right fit for your role. That's why you need ZipRecruiter. When you post your job, ZipRecruiter suggests screening questions to help you hone in on your top candidates faster. And today you can try it for free at ZipRecruiter.com slash TWU. Their matching technology gets to work right away finding qualified candidates who check the boxes you care about most.

And the suggested screening questions make it easy to get clear answers up front. What makes ZipRecruiter so helpful is how fast it works. Their matching technology finds top talent quickly, so you're not wasting time or money. You can even filter to see who's been active recently, which feels huge when you're trying to move quickly and not chase dead ends. There's a reason ZipRecruiter is the number one rated hiring site based on G2. It helps you get to the right people faster without over-complicating the process. Ask key questions and hire faster with ZipRecruiter.

Four out of five employers who post on ZipRecruiter get a quality candidate within the first day. Try it for free at ZipRecruiter.com slash TWU. That's ZipRecruiter.com slash TWU. Meet your match on ZipRecruiter. If you've watched this podcast on video or came to our live show, you've probably noticed how intentional the space feels. That's because the furniture we're using, both in the studio, and on stage is from Article.

And once you actually live with it, you get why. Article makes it really effortless to create a home that looks pulled together without feeling precious. The pieces are stylish, but they're clearly made for real life. That's what I'm talking about. Stylish. Yeah. But more than that, comfortable.

Oh, yeah. Made... I don't like to sacrifice comfort. For life to sit on. Yes. To enjoy yourself. If you're watching this podcast, you know what we're talking about. You're just watching people enjoy themselves.

And what I noticed right away was the quality. The packaging alone was thoughtful. Most of the pieces came already assembled, which is a big deal. And everything felt substantial. You can feel the weight, the sturdiness, the craftsmanship. And the style is so easy to work with. Article has these curated collections, mid-century, modern, coastal, Scandy-inspired, that mix and match seamlessly.

You don't have to be a designer to make everything feel cohesive. Yeah, man, it just all works together. That consistency matters. These are pieces we've had for a while now, and they've just held their shape, comfort, and function. No sagging, no wobbling, no weird wear, just solid furniture that lasts. Delivery was also smooth.

Fast shipping, clear communication, and if you want to be totally hands-off, they even offer professional assembly. And if you ever need any help deciding what works in your space, articles customer care team is available seven days a week. They even offer free interior design. design services, which is such a nice bonus. Plus, with Articles' 30-day satisfaction guarantee, you can shop confidently.

If something isn't right, it's easy to return, which takes a lot of pressure out of furnishing your home. Article is offering our listeners $50 off your first purchase of $100 or more to claim, visit article.com slash TWU, and the discount will automatically be applied at checkout. That's article.com slash TWU for $50. off your first purchase of $100 or more. Whether it's with your besties or date night, get to all the hottest concerts with GoTransit.

Go connects to all the biggest entertainment venues and makes it affordable with special e-ticket fares. A weekend pass offers unlimited travel across the network on any weekend day or holiday for just $10. A weekday group pass offers the same weekday travel flexibility, from $30 for two people, up to $60 for five. So no matter what day of the week, GoS got you covered. Find out more at gotransit.com slash tickets.

Okay, so that concludes the cabin. Yep. We see Randall in the car on the way back to his family, and he's having a conversation with his therapist. And he's talking about how you pointed out that not a lot of black men come to see you. I think you said like a surprisingly small amount. Something like that was your exact words. And there are things, because she says it before, in 501 at the beginning, she's like, I want you to feel comfortable talking about anything with me

because she knows that the world is on fire and that George Floyd has just transpired, but that he's not even speaking to her about it. And he winds up saying that like, you know what, I think I need to find somebody else that I can talk to about these things. And I don't think that it's you. And he says it very respectfully, and I just wanted to tell you that upfront. She says your mental health is the most important thing.

Whatever you need to do for you is a good thing, right? And it is my own personal experience, like Ryan and I have a couples therapist that I will also sometimes see by myself. She is white, and she is lovely. And I realize I've never really talked to her about anything of this nature. Like most of the stuff that we talk to

is about interpersonal relationships. relationships, et cetera. And I, you know, who knows what I need or don't need? But what I will tell you, there's a very interesting thing. And I don't know if you guys echo this, because we all have our own experiences with therapy and they're all positive. But I bet you we'd need a lot more if we didn't do this job. Like there's something about this job that allows you to deal with a lot of stuff, like,

oftentimes in real time and be like, hey, was somebody in my bedroom? Because now I got a script. And the script seems a lot like what I was just thinking about in my bedroom. Yeah. So, yeah, I just was putting that out there. This show in particular looks at that stuff. Yeah. So it all, a lot of processing.

A lot of processing. Which is why the show's hard for some people. Yeah. Randall gets home. His wife, like, she looks at him with such love. And she knows what he just went throughout. you know, with his mom and she knows what's going on with his sister and brother and everything. And he says, like, look, I'm okay, right?

But everything that's going on in the world with black folks, what have you, he says, like, I'm not anxious, I'm not on the break of something. He's just, I'm really, really sad. And there's shit on a stick, man. There's something about the way like he says it that there's like, I'm really, I'm really sad. I know it's true. And what I mean by that is like, there's these moments in the house where Ryan, like, will stub her toe.

And she's like, oh, my God. And I know she's fine. Because when she really hurt, she'll be like, it goes quiet. You know what I'm saying? Like there's this thing, and there's this thing that Rand has happened. Like, oh, he's just sad. And so I was telling you guys in the last episode, there's this thing that my TV wife does to let me know that I'm loved by hers. her TV husband is a very sort of like simple and unique gesture.

She puts her hand on the back of my head, like around like the nape of the neck. And every time she does it like periodically throughout life or whatnot. And every time she does it, there's this thing that happens to me like uncontrollment. It was like, oh, somebody loves me. Yeah. Yeah. And I can even see like at the end of it because she's telling me, that like, you know, all this thing will happen,

but like through it all, like we're going to be here to face it together, right? Yeah. And at the end of it, when I remember, I put my hand on top of her hand as it's behind me. And it's weird, you guys. Like a lot of what we do is sort of inside out type of stuff, but there are positions that you can put your body in.

Yeah. Right? We're just your physicality, your posture sort of of elicits. When that woman puts her hand behind my head, like I'm saying this to like her future husband, you're welcome. That woman is going to make you feel loved. So loved. Yeah. I think like to be in a situation

where he has like this place where he unequivocally belongs with his black wife and his three black children and they get a chance to sort of like deal with the world together, I'm so happy for him to have her, to have these children, knowing that something was missing before, even though he was loved by people, but there's people that sometimes they're like, so uncomfortable that I don't know how to deal with it necessarily.

So maybe we just kind of keep it quiet and maybe it'll just go away, right? I can understand that. Like there's, I may not know what to say, so why do I have to say anything, right? Right. Yeah. I guess part of the lesson too is if you're feeling uncomfortable, folks who are in this situation,

transracial adopters or whatnot, imagine what the kid is feeling. And even though it's uncomfortable for you doesn't mean that it's something that should be avoided, because I think that kid will appreciate the fact that his parents made an effort. Yeah. You know what I'm saying? And sometimes it may not be complete, it may not be the totality, all that you want to give somebody, But effort is appreciated. Yeah.

Sure. You do the best you can with what you got, right? All right, that's my two cents. No, but that discomfort, that discomfort is an indication of trauma, big or small, right? And Beth leaves us with probably the greatest few lines. Of the show? Of the show? Yeah.

Which the fact that our lives are different. find by our traumas and that they are the fence posts on which we hang the rest of our life. And that your life is born out of multiple tragedies and all the loss and all the sadness and everything that took you to this moment, like, look at what you did with those fence posts. It's just like, it's otherworldly beautiful and like, yeah, I watched it and was just like, it's gorgeous. And just like that idea of like, we just fight on. We find out we keep putting one foot in front of the other together, darkest before the dawn and all of that.

Yeah, he mentioned the lemonade. She's like, this is my thing. That's your thing. Can we just take it by the stuff? Yeah, yeah, this pain isn't forever. This is a moment in time. Like, I love that. I think that's so universal for all of us, whatever anybody is going through.

It is temporary. It's not forever. Yeah. The next moment will come. Yeah. And we'll hopefully be better for it. Amen. Yeah.

This two shall pass. Nothing is forever except us, right? There it is. That was like, okay. That's the one. That's the bar. And they talk about having this next year with no surprises. Yeah.

I was like, what? You don't know this family. You don't know this TV show. Then we flash back. We flash back to the paramedics who are working on Laurel. You know, they're looking for William who had just ditched out to take the baby to the fire department, et cetera. We didn't talk about any of this, by the way. Well, we did last episode.

We did with Jennifer, yes. Right, right, right, right, right. About the history of, yeah, the history of Laurel. But this moment is a... This moment. So the paramedic, the one guy who refused to stop working on is still working on her, what have you? And there's just a moment of lingering on Laurel's face, everybody believing that she has moved on to the realm beyond.

And he says, wait a minute. And she breathed. And we cut out of that shit. Yeah, she takes a big gasp of a breath. Do you mean to tell me that Randall's mother is alive? She lived. She did not die in that moment. And that's all we knew.

That's all we know. That's all we thought. this whole time. Well, is this also the episode? Do we see the pictures at the night? No, that's 503, huh? And then? 503.

It's hard when you watch them all together. It cuts to black and you realize that you've watched an episode of the greatest television show that has ever existed. It's a good one. It's really good. Let me say this to our audience. If you're watching, I'm looking right at you. If it is possible, there are people listening to this podcast. who stopped watching this show around this time.

Go back. Go back. Start at season five. Now is your chance to continue on with us, and we will go with you. Sure. Or maybe you know somebody who threw their hands up for one reason or another at this point and said, nah, I'm tapping out.

So maybe enough time has passed that this is the beginning of the rewatch podcast. Maybe you rejoin us now. Yeah? Maybe you rejoin us. Well, we skipped all of Jack and Rebecca, but also, who cares? No, no, no, no. Do Jack and Rebecca?

Go. Do we really care? Yes, we care about Jack and Rebecca. What are he talking about? I will say that the Jack scene, I mean, we can just talk about. Listen, there are no atheist in the foxhole. Right. Jack, William.

No, talk about it. I don't know. Talk about that shit. Okay. Yeah, the plot line of the day that everyone is born and William trying to navigate dropping the baby off, then returning to the hospital to see the baby. It's just a fuller picture than I think we've been led to believe at this point, right? It's like we know a little bit more about William. We learn way more about Laurel.

We have so much more context and compassion for her and the mother she wanted to be. Somewhere in your head you think, how can a person put a baby? in a box and walk away. And now we know. And you realize that that's not what happened. That is not what happened. Yes. And part of the thing that surprised me that I forgot about,

was just how close William and Jack were to each other, just brushing up against each other on that day. Literally. Kind of handing off fatherhood, passing it over. And they, and really the culmination of these scenes is in the chapel of the hospital where William is trying to figure out, you know, he's asking for guidance. Yep.

And who interrupts his prayer. But Jack. But the other father. Yeah. Who has also come to ask for guidance. Who's looking, like, you can see as his wife is going through, you know, her labor. She's in like emergency surgery. Right.

And he's trying to figure out how to be of service. And there's a level of anxiousness that we've rarely seen. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah. From Jack Pearson. And she's like, I need to give this. brother, something to do. Right?

She's like, let me listen to this music. He's like, oh, music. I didn't bring a radio. I'm going to go get a radio, you know? And he's off into action. It's like, how do I? Oh, yeah. We're not even at the surgery part.

Right. That part. And then, like, you see him just sort of figuring out, like, I don't, I don't know what to do. And he's scared, right? And as, as William is having his prayer in the cathedral, the church, you know, chapel. Right. As he's finishing it, you see, you. Jack come in and he has this whole story about how like he used to see his dad pray and used to

wonder what his dad was praying about. Yeah. Right? And then you see Jack say like, you know, I just need her and them to be okay. Yeah. Like if you need to take somebody, take me. But like they're the best thing. She's the best thing that's ever happened to me.

I texted Milo after watching. I was like, let me just tell you about 501 in case you've forgotten. Did he write you back? No. But. It's the thought that counts. He's busy. But he might have.

But it's an incredible moment. Yeah, it was beautiful. And I will say this. I hope, I hope that I just want to know. No, no, no, no response. Because you know, sometimes you're like, oh, no, they did. And I didn't see it. Yeah, yeah.

I don't want to throw any button. But no, not yet. He will. He will. He will. In time, he does. He will. You know, never mind, it's just the incredible performance in that scene.

And I hope that nobody listening ever ends up in a chapel and a hospital. But they are the holiest, I mean, it's the holiest place I've ever been. You can go to a church. Yeah. You can walk into a church and feel awe or feel the grandness of it. But a chapel in a hospital, man, stuff has gone down there. to life or death scenarios in knowing that like...

You just feel it. Anything. The number of people who've been in there asking for whatever. Or not asking. I mean, but yeah, just an incredible performance by everybody in this episode.

I mean, it's just like, what a premiere. Yeah. Season five, by the way. It's like... Yeah. Pat on the back. Yeah, yeah.

Nobody's coasting. No one's coasting. Not dialing it in today. No, no, no. No, no. We're like the world is literally on fire around us. We are grateful to be here telling these stories altogether. There is, after you see him come out of the chapel, he gets on the phone.

Because in the thing he said, he used to see his dad pray, and he wondered what his dad was praying about, pray so hard that, like, you can see the vein in his neck would pop out. And we don't have too many sort of redeeming moments. for Stanley Pearson. For Stan Pearson. Yeah. And so Jack gives him a call. And like the way Stanley answers, he says, hey, Hey, Pop, and he's like, it's been a while, been a long time,

something like that, been a while. And he said, yeah. And he said, Jack says, I wonder, like, what did you use to pray about? He's like, you need money or something? It's like, no man, I don't need money. It's like, no big deal. And he's like, wait, wait, wait. I used to pray

that my kids would turn out better than myself shit man I can't barely talk yeah you're just like wow and he says I'm trying Bob I'm trying pop oof yeah that got me too and before they get off the phone or whatnot

and this is important because this happens almost every year and it happens to me too is there a way man happy birthday and you forget that like Jack Pearson's birthday. Like, you forget it every year, like,

because he makes everything about his kids. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know that was a beautiful moment. It was nice to just have that moment. And it really goes back to what we used to say about Mark. Mark is the only character in the history of this is us that just sucked. Yeah, that never, you never got, but you know what? Stan was close.

But you know what? If Mark had gotten an episode. Right. Maybe we would have. You had a more fully realized picture too. Nobody sucks just because they suck. Right. There's always a reason.

Sure. It just doesn't happen. Yeah. You know, outside of rare, you know, chemical imbalances. Yeah. You know, there's a reason for all this stuff. And this episode of going to your father for, you know, that's kind of what this episode is about. Or a man who can't.

Right. who has not a father to go to. Yeah. To who is a bit lost, who can't, who wants, wants to, but there's nobody available to him. Yeah. You know? And the metaphor, I mean, the metaphor of that, the William looking,

and they both end up in the same chapel, you know what I mean? They crossed each other like twice. And the mythological metaphor of, you know, the father and the son and the Holy Spirit, You know, this, this attempt at communication and guidance and faith and everybody trying to navigate it, however they navigate it, is thick in this episode. Yeah. All right, so it's good. It's a good show, whatever. We have a fan segment.

We're going to read some emails. We're going to take a break for some ads. We'll be right back with more. That was us. Okay, we have a super fun fan segment today, inspired by the season five premiere when Kevin, Madison, Kate, and Toby pile into a camper and drive cross-country to quarantine and celebrate the Big Three's 40th birthday at the cabin. And while we don't see scenes from this trip, we can only imagine the fun and chaos that definitely ensued. So we asked you to send in your own cross-country travel stories, the trips you took to be with family, no matter how chaotic or heartwarming.

Let's read some of our submissions, shall we? All right, the first one we have is from Evan. Hello, that was us, fam. And I hope you're watching us on Spotify because we've got sweet photos of Evan C and his family. Back in March 2001, my family packed up our brand new Chevy Venture minivan and headed on a cross-country road trip that spanned roughly 8,000 miles. Him is Christmas.

To accomplish this. My parents actually took 11-year-old me, too cool for school, Big Kevin energy, my 12-going-on 13-year-old sister, so over at Major Kate Fives, and my 8-year-old, the earnest know-it-all Randall of the crowd. Out of school for three months to accomplish this.

It's a move that seemed somewhat crazy to plenty of people back in the day, but thinking back now, it really was a Jack Pearson level of blind confidence that ultimately made it happen. In short, we took off from our home in Toronto, Canada, and drove through the Midwest down to Texas before heading into the Rockies, out to California,

all the way up the coast through the Pacific Northwest, and then back to Toronto through Western Canada. While I cannot speak to how many of the five of us survived three months in a minifan together. Wait, did someone pass away? Yeah, we came back with four. We left with five. No.

Well, I cannot speak to how many of... How any. How any of the five... There you go. There it is. Any of the five of us survived three months in a minivan together. It's, of course, not the dicey parts. I remember.

I remember seeing St. Louis from the top of the Gateway Arch. Shout out Sterling. I remember seeing spaceships at the NASA Space Center in Houston. It's right there. And loving the Universal Studios tour in L.A. I remember camping in a tent in the Grand Canyon. In early April, it was maybe 20 degrees and many of the mountains, beaches, and sand dunes in between. That's Celsius, right? April, it's Celsius.

No, not at the Grand Canyon. Really? Yeah. Fair night? Jiminy, Christmas. Yeah. I bet that it drop below. Okay, okay.

Below, well, maybe Celsius. They are Canadian. Yeah, that's what I was saying. But 20 degrees is hot. It could be fair. At night, it's the desert. It gets really cold in the desert. Freezing.

A massive thank you to all. to you all for the work you do, all the best to you and your families, Evan C. Do we know, so Evan is in the, must be the blue coat there. Yeah, I think so. Let's see. Let's see a photo. Oh, I didn't even see them. They're standing down there, by the way.

Yeah. That's freaking awesome. That's a big rocket. You can't put a price tag on this memory. Like, this is something that lasts forever. Yeah. You know what I'm saying? I'm really looking forward to something like this with my kids.

Me too. My family. You want to hit the road? Yeah. Yeah. We would drive cross-country all the time. Two RVs. Oh, my God.

You guys. Hit in the road. Don't tempt Taylor with a good time. Two family bands. Sorry. We stop and play shows, little kid harmonies. You guys, look at this Apollo 13 picture. Oh, that's okay.

O.M.G. Look at Evan. Game over, man. I mean, may he rest in peace. Oh, man. Paxon. We got a little St. Louis Cardinals shirt on right there. Yeah.

Where are they on that top right picture? Sand dunes. Sand dunes. Sand dunes. Sand dunes. Yeah, because they're in shorts-leeve shirts. I love it. Yeah.

Man, mom and dad got some good pictures of them. Three months out of school on the road. But I tell you, the educational enrichment that comes from that, you can't even put you in. Last the lifetime. Yeah. Okay. We're doing our email from Ruthie right now. Hi, Mandy, Chris and Sullivan.

Oh. I think that was supposed to be Sterling, but I'm going to give it a slide. It's okay. I've been called all kinds of stuff. First off. I want to say I'm a huge fan of This Is Us and That Was Us. I've greatly enjoyed listening to the podcast and am currently following along with the podcast by watching the show with my husband. He's a first time watcher.

I am a second time watcher. Thank you. I first watched the show with my parents, my last few months living at home before getting married. My parents and I are big road trippers. My parents took multiple U.S. cross-country road trips before I was born. When I was a year old, my mom. mom bought a truck camper and told my dad that she and I would take a trip in it together when I was older. We took two cross-country trips together in the camper, one when I was 14 before high school,

2015, and another when I was 21 before senior year of college, 2022. We traveled from Michigan to the Pacific Ocean both times, seeing multiple national parks, museums, tourist destinations, and making memories together. The trips I took with my mom are some of my favorite travel memories, waking up to the sound of the ocean outside our window, hiking in Zion, visiting hotels in Vegas, and long talks with my mom in the car. Now that I'm married and moved out, life has changed for us a lot. But I am hopeful in the future we will travel together again, hopefully with my future children. Attached us some pictures from our travels, Ruthie and her mom.

That looks like Tahoe or something. What do you think that is? Gosh, that does look at that blue water. Gorgeous. Beautiful. Look at that tree. It's like a redwood forest type. Oh, yeah.

Those are the redwoods. Yeah, yeah. Oh, that looks like a good camper. Wait, am I, you know, was it just the two of them? Yeah. Just mom and Murphy. Wow. Both times.

So special. That's beautiful. I hope I get to do that with my kids. I love that. I think about that sometimes in terms of like, I try to do these things. You have three, you have two. But trying to do things that, like, That's family and then it's just like me and Amari.

Yeah. It's me and Andrew. So like there's time. You know what I'm saying? Oh, yeah. Everybody needs their own. Yeah. One on one time.

My parents, before, after college, but before we got married, went on individual vacations with each of me, me and my brother. They did. Yeah. And it was like four vacations total. And it makes a difference. Yeah. Yeah.

Yeah, it's cool. I dig it. I love it. Thank you, Ruthie. Appreciate it. Our last email is from. Ariana T. Okay.

Hello, Mandy, Kristen Sterling. My name is Ariana, and I live in Orlando. Shout out. Come on, Orlando. Ariana Tande. Oh, my gosh. My road trip story really starts years before I ever got in the car. On New Year's Eve, 2014, my dad was tragically murdered.

Oh, my God. I was a freshman in high school, and it was the first time my world ever truly broke. Oh, Ariana. I'm so sorry. My father was extremely involved in the community and a leader to many. As many do after losing a loved one, I struggled with feeling a purpose. I didn't know what to do with my grief until I found Thirst Project, a nonprofit that helps provide clean water to underdeveloped communities.

I started fundraising with them and felt a true purpose in serving others and making a difference. Years later, right as COVID started to spread, I began an internship with Thirst Project that took me on a cross-country road trip. After three intense weeks, training and living in Los Angeles with my cohort, we packed up the car and started driving. California, Utah, Minnesota, Kansas, Missouri, Tennessee, a new city every week. Thousands of students, long stretches of highway that somehow felt like healing. Those six or seven weeks cut short by six weeks when the world suddenly shut down were filled with laughter, tears, gas station, pep talks, late nights, and moments of pure awe.

It was the first time since my dad died that my world felt hopeful again. Now I listen to your podcast on the way to work, usually crying after the fan segment. I work at a local nonprofit called United Against Poverty that offers a hand up to families facing poverty. We see over 600 families a day in our grocery program

and we help hundreds find stability and employment. In many ways, it still feels like that same road trip, meeting people where they are and trying to make the world a little lighter for them just like my dad would have. This Is Us has touched my life and so many others

in ways I cannot fully express especially in one email. Thank you for making the world a little lighter both through the show and through the podcast, Ariana. Ariana, thank you for the work you do

making the world lighter and brighter. We need more people like, you look at this picture. Oh, the Thirst Project. Beautiful. This is awesome. I want to shout out this thing. It's small, but you made a point of emphasizing it in her email.

A hand up. Not a handout. A hand up. There she is again. Wow, she's a real light. You can just tell from her pictures. Look at these young people. Come through.

Yes. Oh, Ariana. I'm so glad that our show has touched. to you and you are lighting up the world. Thank you for taking the time to write us this beautiful email and share your story. We so, so, so appreciate that. I love these fan segments. It's pretty awesome.

It's pretty awesome that we got a chance to be a part of something that inspired people in such a way. And like, I am always surprised. And now I'm starting to be, this is going to sound weird, but like after like watching these last two episodes, it's like, I get it. Yeah. Yeah, yeah. Like the show, I don't know. Listen, may we all be blessed enough to be a part of something as special?

Who knows? Right? I like to trust that the universe will give us exactly what we need, exactly when we need it. And maybe there'll be different artistic things that we need in the future. But like to know that you are having an impact in the world around you that inspires people to be better versions of themselves and to make the world a better place. It's sweet, man. There's a sweet satisfaction that comes from it. It's hard to do.

It's hard. I mean, I really don't think that I'm like, I'm not sure this will ever happen again. Not to this degree, this magnitude. This is like such a moment in time and so special. And this, I feel like the world has shifted so much. And not that we, I think we need this kind of entertainment now more than ever. But it feels like a challenge to break through in that same sense without people kind of rolling their eyes, right? Without having done something that's been there, done that.

You know what I'm saying? Yeah. Because the show did it really. Well, and how do you, yeah, how do you do that again? Thank you to our fans. We love you guys. To those of you who are not our fans, just because you haven't listened to watch to our podcast.

So please share with a friend, like, like, subscribe, all those things. If you want to talk to us, right, you can reach out to us at that was us pod. At gmail.com. Gmail.com. Of course. And there's also this thing that I can never remember. Speakpipe.com slash that was us.

I'm always afraid I'm going to say the wrong thing. That's speakpipe. Stovepipe. Nope, speakpipe.com. I don't know. It is a very strange word. Speakpipe.com slash that was us. We're always interested in hearing from you.

It's so good to see you. It was incredible, you guys. Wish you would have been there. Love to hear your feedback for the people who are there. And maybe if we hear enough good things, we can figure out a way to. Where should we come next? Yeah, should we go to New York?

Should we go to Chicago? St. Louis? You let us know and we will figure that out. Orlando? No. No? No. Sorry, Orlando.

Mandy Moore, look in your camera. Remind these folks what the name of our show is, please. That was us. Later. Bye. That Was Us is filmed at Rabbit Grin Studios and produced by Rabbit Grin Productions. Music by Taylor Goldsmith, and Griffin Goldsmith.