Executive producer Isaac Aptaker offers insights into the events of ‘The Pool: Part Two.’
Warning: This article contains plot details from Tuesdays episode ofThis Is Us, The Pool: Part Two.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: This was a very disorienting episode in the wake of last weeks premiere.Where was Darnell?
Credit: Ron Batzdorff/NBC
Who are these people?
I just got used to this whole other gang!
Oh, I remember!
These are the Pearsons!
Yeah, its a real return to the family.
That was something that was really part of our plan.
So this is an episode packed with catchup, and almost like a what-Ive-been-doing-over-my-summer-vacation kind of episode.
In season 1s The Pool, complicated issues involving race and weight and self-confidence and identity were explored.
These can be things that dont resolve as much as they evolve.
And that sparked us to go back and check out some of those very, very earlyThis Is Usepisodes.
You dont realize it because were around them all the time; it sneaks up on you.
And then she tries to do it to him now and hes like, Ewww!Gross!
Dont touch me were in public!
Weve seen Kevin in flashbacks and earlier in the shows run as a very self-consumed person.
Lately weve seen him more consumed with caring about Nicky or Kates baby.
Finding that balance is a real struggle, especially as hes trying to remain sober.
But hes also aware of the dangers of being alone with himself.
Is this one of those apply-your-own-oxygen-mask-before-helping-others situations?I love that.
Yeah, I think so.
He isnt sure if hes a deep person, if hes a good person.
which is probably the scariest thing for him.
So hes really headed right back into the eye of the storm here with what triggers him.
Thats a totally valid take.
In this season, we look at that a lot.
And hes on this very complicated, existential quest to get validation from a man whos no longer alive.
Theres really no way to achieve that.
Young Kate was played by the popular girls again.
I think its straight-up sweet.
Thats one of my favorite moments of the episode.
I love how Mackenzie and that little boy play it.
Why cant I take ownership of this moment and make it into something really wonderful?
And thats exactly what she does.
Rebeccas concern is always interpreted as a buzzkill in Kates mind.
Are they both right?Yeah.
Jack never finds out why exactly Kevin was coming to him with this crisis.
But hes lying about it to his wife.
Whats behind all of this?
Is he focusing on being healthy for the long run, given his new responsibilities as a parent?
And does he feels guilty that its something that comes more naturally to him than it does to Kate?
Some or all of the above?Its a combination of all that.
Remembering back to season 1, Toby had a pretty serious heart incident.
And I think hes doing that to give a shot to protect her.
You play that moment in which hes working out a little bit ominously, though.
This Is Ushas explored issues of weight for several seasons now.
Each person copes with stress differently and has a different relationship to food.
And also the fact that hes doing it behind her back.
Thats dangerous in any relationship, keeping secrets like that.
There was a plan to have Kate lose weight, and obviously it can be a difficult journey.
Toby expresses concern to Rebecca about her overeating.
She wants to be healthy too, and its a lot of work to have a young child.
And she wants to be able to do all of the things that moms need to do.
Her parenting was a huge part of what led Jack Jr. to be so successful in the future.
Were starting to see the challenges that go into raising a blind child.
There are indications that theres strain between them down the road.Totally.
Which is a bit ominous, as you said.
We know shes someone still learning about her emerging identity, but how should we read that?
Im going to declare to the world: This is my look.
But we all remember its such a scary age.
Middle school is so, so fraught.
You care so much about what people think of you.
Youre not sure who you are, youre trying on identities.
Young Randall seem to think that he had the Bookathon in the bag against Stewart.
Did Stewart make a surprising comeback, or did Randall close him out in the end?No way.
Fans want to know when they might see more of adult Jack.
That said, Blake [Stadnik], who plays him, is incredible.
So its something that were always talking about.
By the way, can robots cry in the future?If theyre on our show, they can.
