‘This Is Us’: Kate and Toby’s Split ‘Isn’t Going to Look Like What They Thought It Would’ Says Producer
As This Is Us continues its deep dive into the dissolution of Kate and Toby’s (Chrissy Metz and Chris Sullivan) marriage, fans are hopeful for a peaceful resolution for the beloved television couple. The twosome, who have weathered significant storms throughout their union, appears to have come to the point of no return in “KaToby.” However, while painful, the couple’s split will have more layers than fans anticipate. A This Is Us producer revealed that their split “isn’t going to look like what they thought it would.”
The ‘KaToby’ episode of ‘This Is Us’ shows the evolution, breakdown of Kate and Toby’s relationship
Kate and Toby commit to their faltering union in the wake of their son Jack’s (Johnny Kincaid) accident. Over a few years. They come to a point where they will do whatever it takes to fix their marriage.
In a YouTube video that teases the episode, significant changes occur in marriage. More laughter is visible, less strife. Toby takes a job in LA to be closer to his family. He and Kate appear to be on solid ground.
Then, in a flash-forward, Kate, who now sports red hair, says, “I was married to a wonderful man, and we loved each other a lot, and it wasn’t enough.”
“I thought if we fixed what was broken, we would find our way back to each other,” Toby admits.
He cries to Kate, “this cannot be how our story ends.” The teaser fades to black.
A ‘This Is Us’ producer reveals the couple’s love will prevail
The underlying storyline that permeates the couple’s union is love, even though Kate and Toby are growing further apart.
This Is Us producer K.J. Steinberg revealed where the couple currently stands relationship-wise.
“I think there’s still hope at the end of the episode,” Steinberg told Entertainment Weekly.
However, “There’s a recognition that something’s gotta change. They are at the rubicon. If they don’t pay attention to this marriage—if they don’t give it their full focus—it’s doomed.”
“We need to go into [the next] episode knowing that Kate and Toby are good people,” he continued, “who have so much love for one another, but that love has gotten lost in the distance and the way that they have evolved individually without converging in that evolution. Their lives have strangely taken different paths. The end of this episode gives them clarity that they have to stop, just hoping things get better. They need to work to make things get better.”
‘KaToby’ shows Kate and Toby’s marriage end isn’t cut and dry
Love is the underlying emotion that continues to drive the couple. They genuinely are soulmates who just lost their way away from each other.
However, the dissolution of their marriage isn’t going to be so cut and dry, says Steinberg.
“They’re going to do whatever it takes, but they won’t know what that is until they’re in it,” he explained.
“And it’s not going to look like what they thought it would look like. And it’s not going to look like what the audience thinks it’s going to look like.”
This heartbreaking episode will also feature the deepening friendship between Kate and her boss Phillip (Chris Geere). She continues to move forward in her professional career as a teacher for the sight-impaired.
This Is Us airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. EST on NBC.
