The episode centers entirely around Randall in a single therapy session with Dr. Leigh (Pamela Adlon).
Dr. Leigh asks him what exactly he thinks wouldve been different.
With that, were transported into the first future-past fantasy.
Credit: Ron Batzdorff/NBC
Different but Exactly the Same
Its the night of the fire.
Randall succeeded in preventing Jack from going back in for the dog.
When Jack and Rebecca arrive at Miguels from the hospital, Jack tells the kids hes fine.
Whats more, the dog survived, rescued by a fireman.Everyone wins!
But the next morning, Rebecca looks perturbed.
She slowly brings herself to tell Jack some secret shes long held.
Cut to Jack and Rebecca confronting Randall.
Rebecca admits to Randall that she met his birth father William when Randall was a baby.
She says she didnt tell anyone because William wasnt well he was an addict.
He looks angrily at Jack but Rebecca says Jack didnt know.
Randall demands to know his fathers name and address.
Jack goes with Randall to Williams apartment.
William answers the door looking fairly put-together.
He welcomes them in.
William tells Randall he was never not wanted.
Then he gives him the poetry book he wrote for him.
On the way home, Randall is ecstatic.
When Randall leaves for school, his relationship with his mother is still fraught.
Then, because hes still at Carnegie, he meets Beth.
She attends her first Pearson family dinner, where she breaks out thehot sauce gift.
Its their moment of reconciliation.
Cut to Randall proposing to Beth.
Then Jack giving a speech at their wedding, with William there, too.
Here, Dr. Leigh cuts in, resuming reality.
This time, we see that conversation.
Cut to Randall and Jack at Williams door.
Randall says hes his son.
Randall immediately decides that hes going to attend Howard University he has nothing to stick around for.
Cut ahead to Jack giving a toast at a wedding.
This time, its Kevin and Sophies wedding.
Randall has a random woman with him.
She calls him RP and says hes never talked about his family.
That night in his office, Randall looks at a box he received.
Its Williams things he passed on to him after dying from stomach cancer.
The poetry book is included.
One morning later on, another T.A.
wakes up with Randall.
Then Jack calls and begs Randall to come home for Thanksgiving.
Randall initially protests but then Jack tells him Rebecca isnt well.
Cut to Randall running up to his parents front door.
Rebecca answers, and they embrace in reconciliation.
She then asks Randall why hes so sure he couldve saved Jack.
Randall envisions Jack ignoring his plea to not go back in the house for the dog.
Randall is sure he couldve done SOMETHING in that moment because fixing things is what Randall does.
She notes its interesting Randall always imagines the first thing that happens after the fire is Rebeccas confession.
Then Leigh points out that in all his hypothetical lives, Randall ultimately forgives Rebecca.
Randall arrives home looking haggard.
He tells Beth about learning of his unresolved resentment toward Rebecca.
Beth isnt surprised, then kisses him, proud hes embracing these emotions.
Randall calls Rebecca while shes playing Pictionary with Miguel, Kevin, Kate, and Toby.
He mentions the clinical trial, to Rebeccas discontent.
Bonus bits
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