What Happened to Kate and Toby’s Relationship in ‘This Is Us’ Season 3?
On season 3 of This Is Us, we witnessed the dramatic premature birth of baby Jack and the relationship strain it put on Kate (Chrissy Metz) and Toby (Chris Sullivan). And, earlier in the season, the couple grappled with Toby’s depression and how they overcame it. As we all patiently await the return of NBC’s This Is Us, let’s take a look at Kate and Toby’s love story and where it might go in season 4.
In ‘This Is Us’ Season 3, the couple dealt with Toby’s depression
In the very first episode of This Is Us Season 3, Toby and Kate saw a fertility specialist who reluctantly took their case despite a 90% failure rate. After the visit, Toby threw away his antidepressants — not wanting to further hurt their chances of getting pregnant — which sent him into a downward spiral of rage and then depression throughout the next several episodes.
When the couple finally found out that they had conceived, Toby had a complete breakdown. In this episode, we also found out that Toby’s mother suffered from depression. Eventually, Kate convinced Toby to go back on his medication.
As the season progressed, Toby picked himself back up and bounced back to the guy we all knew and loved. Our hearts melted when we watched the Thanksgiving episode where Toby ruins dinner and then saves it by ordering pre-made food. The whole thing reminds Kate of her father as she tells Toby, “You know what this is? This is, like, Jack Pearson-level magic.”
The couple had another sweet moment the following episode when Kate accidentally sold Toby’s Star Wars action figures and then tried in vain to buy them back from the purchaser. Instead of remaining upset with Kate, Toby gave her a handmade stadium like the one Jack made her but was lost in the fire.
Although the couple struggled with Toby’s depression, we are filled with hope throughout the season that they will continue to have a happy marriage with their soon-to-be growing family.
Toby could not see past baby Jack’s pain in the NICU
Late in season 3 of This Is Us, Kate and Toby’s baby was born at just 28 weeks via cesarean section. The last few episodes of the season revolved around watching the baby, who they have named Jack, — after Kate’s father, Jack Pearson — struggle with survival after being born so early.
Toby particularly had a difficult time with having his premature son in the NICU. He was afraid to hold Jack and worried about all of the pain that the baby was in.
Sullivan told the New York Post, “I think, along with the great joy and excitement of having a child, it seems to be that the common themes are also a lot of doubt and fear and uncertainty about being a parent — and about how you might not live up to those expectations.”
In the season 3 finale, Kate and Toby finally bring their son home to stay and fans are again filled with optimism for the couple.
Will Kate and Toby get a divorce on ‘This Is Us’?
Viewers will not be happy about the answer to this question. In the flashforward during the season 3 finale of This Is Us, Kate and Toby are divorced. Toby is not wearing a wedding band and he looks to be living by himself.
While fans do not want to believe that the couple is divorced, Sullivan confirmed the assumption in an interview with the New York Post, “At that point, Kate and Toby are no longer married. Who knows why that could be? Clearly [Toby] is still in communication with Kate and Jack. There are a lot of reasons why marriages don’t continue. The [show’s] writing staff hasn’t told us exactly what that situation will be but I think, either way, there are a lot of lessons to be learned.”
As disappointing as this revelation is, the show remains true to its roots. It continues to be a relatable series about the ups and downs of life and family.
Will we find out how Kate and Toby split on the upcoming season of This Is Us? Find out when it premieres on Tuesday, September 24, 2019, on NBC.
