This Is Us season 2 finale recap: ‘The Wedding’
This Is Us wrapped up its second season finale with a bittersweet conclusion.
“The Wedding” gives Kate and Toby the ceremony they deserve but things aren’t looking up. Plus in the closing moments, the This Is Us writers share a glimpse of a bleak future. The happy couple only gets a few moments of peace before a flash forward promises a much darker tomorrow.
Like any big event, things definitely don’t run smoothly. Kate is second-guessing her relationship after Toby forgets her dad’s old shirt. She’s been having recurring dreams of her father leaving her family concerned. “The Wedding” definitely teases the possibility she abandons Toby at the alter but there’s never any real reason to be worried. Instead, she shares a touching moment with her father’s urn before finally burying his ashes.
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“The Wedding” also has Kate finally reconcile with Rebecca. Since the first season, the two have constantly been at odds. After her miscarriage, Kate found comfort in her mother’s arms and their relationship vastly improved.
When Rebecca offers to step aside to make sure her daughter’s wedding is perfect, Kate immediately asks her not to. She finally admits that her mother has been her inspiration throughout life, and she can wants to become just like her. It’s an extremely touching moment and one of the highlights of the hour.
Randall and Beth are dealing with their own set of problems throughout “The Wedding.” Deja has understandably been acting out after her mother abandoned her at the Pearson household. She refuses to speak to her foster parents, and has lost any desire to act socially acceptable. In fact, she plans on attending the ceremony in a grey hoodie.
Thankfully, the day is saved by Beth’s cool cousin Zoey who gives the young girl an understanding speech. It does convince Deja to put on a dress and some makeup for the big day, but a comment by Toby’s mother sends her in a rage. Looks like the Pearsons are going to be dealing with her abandonment issues heading into the next season.
Kate and Toby successfully make it down the aisle despite all of the drama swirling around them. During Randall’s toast, “The Wedding” teases next season with a time jump focusing on a year later. Kevin is traveling to Vietnam with Zoey as his new girlfriend, Kate is taking care of an ill Toby, and Tess isn’t ready to visit a mysterious “her” with Randall. This Is Us definitely doesn’t want to let fans settle in for a happy ending.
Fans got only a few minutes to feel happy for the newlywed couple before learning that Toby would be suffering from an illness.
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The finale certainly sets up quite a few new storylines for season 3. Quite a few fan theories have been circulating online regarding Beth’s health and her absence from the flash-forward raises some concerns.
Also, Alexandra Breckenridge is nowhere to be found throughout “The Wedding,” seemingly confirming her exit from the series. The Kevin/Zoey dynamic will be interesting next year, it’s a shame to see her exit because she was on maternity leave.