‘This Is Us’ Season 5 Teases Randall and Rebecca’s New Storyline in Episode 16
Fans of This Is Us Season 5 are hoping the all-new episode on May 25 will provide a much-needed update on Randall (Sterling K. Brown) and Rebecca (Mandy Moore). The two characters haven’t had much screentime together this year. Now, NBC’s new photos of Randall and Rebecca tease an important conversation in the This Is Us Season 5 finale. So here’s what to expect next.
[Spoiler alert: This article contains spoilers from This Is Us Season 5 Episode 15, “The Adirondacks.”]
A quick recap of Randall and Rebecca’s storylines in ‘This Is Us’ Season 5
In This Is Us Season 4, Randall pushed Rebecca to partake in an Alzheimer’s clinical trial in St. Louis. Then at the start of season 5, Rebecca didn’t leave for the trial due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. But she quarantined with Miguel (Jon Huertas) at the Pearson family cabin.
Meanwhile, Randall went through a journey of his own in This Is Us Season 5. The beloved character visited New Orleans and finally learned more about his birth mother, Lauren (Jennifer C. Holmes). Then by the end of his trip, Randall realized he needed to start letting go and heal.
Later, Randall started attending group therapy for transracial adoptees. Then in This Is Us Season 5 Episode 13, he was able to open up to Kevin (Justin Hartley) about his experience growing up. The conversation also ended the feud between the Pearson brothers.
Now, it seems another big discussion is coming in the This Is Us Season 5 finale. In episode 15, Rebecca told Beth (Susan Kelechi Watson) that Randall hasn’t opened up about his trip to New Orleans. She wondered whether her son thought she “couldn’t handle” talking about Laurel. Then Beth gave Rebecca a bit of advice.
“Rebecca, if you want to find out about Randall’s trip to New Orleans, just ask him,” Beth said.
New ‘This Is Us’ Season 5 Episode 16 photos hint Randall and Rebecca will talk
Ahead of This Is Us Season 5 Episode 16, “The Adirondacks,” NBC teased what’s next for Randall and Rebecca. The network released new photos of the mother-son duo as they appear to have two emotional conversations in the finale.
In one of the pictures, Randall and Rebecca are seated indoors over tea. They are physically distant, and Rebecca seems to be listening to her son. Then in the other photo, Rebecca and Randall are holding hands and clearly emotional. So is there a breakthrough coming? We’ll have to wait and see.
That said, Brown recently confirmed Randall and Rebecca will discuss New Orleans in the This Is Us finale.
“There’s difficult conversations with Randall and Rebecca regarding his visit to New Orleans to meet his birth mother,” Brown told Extra.
What a ‘This Is Us’ producer says of Randall and Rebecca in the season 5 finale
When speaking with Entertainment Weekly, This Is Us executive producer Isaac Aptaker teased what’s next for Randall and Rebecca in the season 5 finale. But ultimately, it seems like the “difficult conversations” will open up so much more. Aptaker said:
I’m very excited for what’s to come there. That’s really a series-long important story. We’ve told bits and pieces. But there’s so much unresolved conflict there from last year, when Randall brought up what Rebecca did to him regarding William [Ron Cephas Jones], and he almost weaponized it in trying to convince her to go to that clinical trial. And then this year, he’s been on such a journey and really hasn’t had those scenes with Rebecca where he’s sharing what he’s learned about his birth mom. There’s so much there that is waiting to explode — and I can’t wait for people to see next week’s episode.
For now, we’ll have to wait and see how Randall and Rebecca’s discussions unfold in the This Is Us Season 5 finale. But whatever happens in the new episode on May 25, we know it’s going to be one to watch. Stay tuned.
This Is Us Season 5 airs Tuesday nights on NBC.
