Skip to main content

It’s been quite a while since we have seen Television’s favorite family. Luckily, NBC’s critically acclaimed series, This Is Us returns this Tuesday (Jan. 14) with all-new episodes.

All of our favorite stars are returning, with a special focus on Rebecca (Mandy Moore) and Jack’s (Milo Ventimiglia) adopted son, Randall (Sterling K. Brown). Let’s take a look at why show creator Dan Fogelman believes we will see so much Randall when the series returns. 

Mandy Moore and Sterling K. Brown
Mandy Moore and Sterling K. Brown | Ron Batzdorff/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

What happened to Randall in the first half of ‘This Is Us’ Season 4?

The majority of the adult-Randall storyline in season 4 was spent on politics and his family. We see a general theme of Randall helping everyone except himself. 

As a councilman, Randall prioritizes his constituents over other officials. His office assistant continually gives him the side-eye for this and then tells Randall to fire Jae-won (Tim Jo). Instead, Randall fires her for not supporting his efforts to help the community.   

Randall and Beth’s (Susan Kelechi-Watson) daughter Tess (Eris Baker) has her first panic attack. At the same time, we see flashbacks of teenage Randall’s (Niles Fitch) struggles with anxiety. With their adopted daughter, Deja (Lyric Ross), Randall deals with her having her first boyfriend, Malik (Asante Blackk).

The Pearsons have Malik’s parents over for dinner to discuss the relationship. Then, we witness Randall and Beth as a joined force to be reckoned with. They eventually let her date the young boy who has a daughter. 

The last two episodes focused on Randall and Rebecca (R & R). We witness how much the young boy helped his mother after Jack died. He often parents her instead of the other way around. In the present day, Randall expresses concern for his mother’s senior moments. However, she is offended by the idea of seeing a doctor. 

The midseason finale ended with turmoil in the Pearson family. Present-day Randall continually worries about his mother’s condition and the pact he made to keep her health a secret. Then we have a scary revelation in the future where Rebecca is lost and returned home by the police. At this moment, we find out that Randall and Kevin (Justin Hartley) are not on speaking terms. 

Randall’s people-pleasing personality will catch up to him in the second half of season 4

Show creator, Fogelman spoke to People regarding the back-half of season 4 of This Is Us. He alluded to trouble on the horizon for Randall. 

“This is a character who was left for adoption as a child, which immediately creates some identity issues,” Fogelman explained to People. He lost his father at a very formative age and then, upon finally reuniting with his birth father, lost his second father [William (Ron Cephas Jones)].”

“He’s a guy who tries to keep control and for a guy who tries to please and be everything to everybody,” the showrunner continues. “He’s so decent and good, but constantly having questions about his identity. You can imagine the pressure and toll it can take.”

It sounds like this “pressure” is going to catch up to Randall late in season 4.

“Randall is a giant back half of this season coming up with a couple of specialized episodes that really get inside of him in terms of what’s going on in his wiring and what’s going on in his mind,” Fogelman teased. “Sterling was just in the writer’s room, and we’re doing this special episode towards the end of the season.”

Maybe we will see Randall focus on his anxiety and health issues, instead of putting everyone else first.

What do fans feel is going to happen with Randall in the last half of season 4 of ‘This Is Us’?

“I have a feeling something will happen to Rebecca, and [Kevin and Kate] will blame Randall for knowing her health condition and not telling them,” wrote one Reddit user. “Or somehow being responsible for what happens (taking her to a doctor for a surgery that goes wrong, etc.)”

Many fans agree with this scenario where Kevin and Kate blame their brother for Rebecca’s condition. However, there are a few other fan theories about Randall floating around out there.

“I fear for Randall because between the city councilman job, the issues with Deja and Tess, and now his mom’s memory issues, I think Randall is going to be on the verge of another breakdown coming soon,” wrote another fan on Reddit. “I think this one will probably be worse than the ones before, too.” 

Viewers are anxious about Randall. Luckily, the season 4 midseason premiere of This Is Us is next week, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020, at 9 p.m.  

Best in Entertainment