The latest episode of Rebecca's (Mandy Moore) health condition that's impairing her memory, here's what it means for the rest of season 4. NBC's hit family drama has put the Pearson matriarch at the center of its storytelling after focusing on her husband, Jack's (Milo Ventimiglia) narrative in its first three years. Aside from delving into her past, learning more about her family history, the show is also building up to what seems to be her final days as seen in a telling flash forward first revealed in the season 3 finale.
With all three kids now involved in Rebecca's health journey, everyone obviously wants to be with her every step of the way. In this week's episode, titled "Clouds", it's Kevin's (Justin Hartley) turn to assist his mother while Randall (Sterling K. Brown) attended to his needs by going to therapy. Rebecca was obviously not exactly thrilled with the prospect of getting her diagnosis from the doctor, and tried to dissuade Kevin from attending the appointment, suggesting that they reschedule. Number 1 stood up and emphasized that they need to do that, so as not to further worsen his image in the family as irresponsible - something that Randall was simultaneously talking about to his doctor. In the end, they made their way to the hospital where they found out what's happening. And as long-predicted, Rebecca's mild cognitive impairment is likely due to Alzheimer’s Disease.
This Is Us is taking a two-week break so it will take quite a while before we start learning the implications of this diagnosis. However, with that mystery now resolved, the narrative is already moving on from teasing about it to how the Pearsons will tackle this predicament. We know from the season 3 finale flash forward that the much-older Rebecca is living with Kevin full-time on the West Coast with Randall and his family flying in to visit. Given Rebecca's personal ission, it's clear that she needs Number 1 now more than ever because of his innate ability to make things fun, so it's not surprising to see him fully taking care of their mom. What's going to be interesting is navigating an already tricky road going forward since Randall obviously has issues with him not being in-charge.
The promo for the next episode of This Is Us already revealed that the brewing tension between Randall and Kevin finally comes to fruition. With Randall's control problem seemingly stemming from this idea that only he can take care of Rebecca becoming more apparent, seeing Kevin spending more time with their mom obviously fuels his rage. Thanks to the midseason flash forward, we know that their rift will only be more prevalent with the two sons not on speaking during their next birthday. All this while Rebecca's degenerative illness appears to be getting worse more rapidly than expected. It's unclear how Big Three and Jack's birthday, but it won't be surprising if a portion of that same day falls in the season 4 finale, with season 5's premiere picking up exactly where the series left off. So while wefansknow that Kevin and Randall will eventually patch things up, their conflict can continue much longer than everyone wants it to.
With four more episodes left, there's still a lot that can happen in This Is Us season 4. While other characters' are getting their own subplots, it's clear that from here on out, the focus will be on Rebecca's state and how her family will deal with it. Nicky (Griffin Dunne) continues to be missing in action, but it's worth noting that in the show's season 3 finale flashforward, he's beside what could very well be Rebecca's deathbed.
This Is Us airs Tuesdays, 9pm ET on NBC.