‘This Is Us’: Marc Is About to Show His True Colors and Fans Are Ready to Protect Kate at All Costs
This Is Us covered Randall (Sterling K. Brown) and Kevin’s (Justin Hartley) part of the latest episode trilogy. Now, it’s Kate’s (Chrissy Metz) turn. The end of the Jan. 28 episode ended with toddler Kate telling Jack (Milo Ventimiglia) “we have a problem.” The continuation of teen Kate’s (Hannah Zeile) saga picks up in two weeks. Fans can expect all the drama from Kate’s boyfriend, Marc (Austin Abrams), but they’re already prepared to fight on her behalf.
Kate’s episode will (finally) highlight her toxic relationship with Marc
It seems as though This Is Us came back only to stir up the drama before taking a two-week hiatus (thanks, Superbowl). Many weeks have passed since the show introduced teen Kate’s boyfriend, Marc. This provided ample time for fans to conjure up a million new theories about the “lovebirds.”
At the first meeting, Marc doesn’t seem so bad. He makes Kate forget about the recent pain of losing her father. But, it’s not long before viewers witnessed a few offputting characteristics in the new beau.
Whether it’s the way he invited himself over to dinner with the whole crew (unannounced), or how he waltzed in another afternoon only to help himself to whatever was in the refrigerator, call Randall “Randy,” and insult Kate’s movie choices, he rubs fans in the wrong way.
Kate found an old photo of her and Marc from that time together and viewers felt an ominous feeling. Rebecca told Kate, “I was trying so hard to hold it together that year after your father died. And I wanted to believe so badly that you kids were happy, I didn’t see what was happening.”
Kate said she “didn’t see it either,” alluding to the fact that Marc is going to be a big problem in her life to come.
Kate has a lot of issues she struggles with in her adult life such as weight and self-esteem. Losing Jack was traumatic enough. But, whatever happened with Marc may explain why Kate is the way she is — especially in regards to her relationship with Toby, or any other man.
Marc is about to do some major emotional damage
Austin Abrams is the actor who plays 23-year-old Marc, and he does it well. Many aren’t sure if the creepy, elusive type is what writers were going for, but if so, he nails it.
Abrams first appeared in the Oct. 15 episode, “Flip a Coin.” Kate and Toby’s part focused on baby Jack. It all tied into Kate and Marc meeting at a record store where Kate is offered a job and the two begin dating.
Abrams is the fourth new character in This Is Us Season 4. He joined Jennifer Morrison (as Cassidy), Blake Stadnik (as Jack Damon), and Asante Blackk (as Malik Hodge).
Executive producer, Elizabeth Berger, previously told Entertainment Weekly that Marc and Kate’s relationship may parallel with Kate and Toby’s (Chris Sulivan) marriage in the present timeline.
“They are definitely two important relationships that have greatly informed this woman and her life. And I think all of those intense teenage relationships tend to stick with us and cause patterns to form and leave these impressions that never really go away,” she said.
“So, we will be seeing how some of Kate was formed through this relationship with Marc — and how that may impact her current relationship.”
Seeing as co-executive producer, Isaac Aptaker, previously said Kate and Marc’s relationship will leave
“serious emotional wounds,” it’s no wonder fans are ready for answers.
“It definitely goes to an unhealthy place that’s going to make a real impact on Kate and stay with her over the years,” he said. “I don’t want to say much more than that because I want people to experience it.”
Here’s what fans think of Marc so far
So far, Abrams is only mentioned on three episodes of This Is Us from 2019. This is likely to avoid spoilers in revealing how many more episodes he’ll be in. Viewers hope he won’t be around long.
“See you next week Marc. I have a feeling I’m gonna hate you,” one fan tweeted. “Kate annoys me in each decade but I am willing to destroy this damn Mark/Marc if he laid a hand on her,” another viewer said.
Another devoted fan tweeted: “Sad Three always have each other’s back, it’s so beautiful to see that. I’m really scared to watch next week’s episode, Katiegirl with Jack and her troubles with Marc might just be a little too much for my weak heart.”
The comments don’t stop on Reddit. Some think writers may have written Kate and Marc’s story in one obvious direction only to pull the rug out from under us all. One thing everyone can agree on is that Marc is bad news.
“Maybe he’s an abusive jerk. There’s been red flags from the start with Marc,” one Redditor said.
Guess we’ll all have to wait out the two-week hiatus before any answers come through.
This Is Us returns Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 9 p.m. ET on NBC.
