A Million Little Things Season 3, Episode 13 recap: Listen

A Million Little Things Season 3 gives us an emotional and sobering episode as its covers the tragic death of George Floyd and the protests it inspired. It’s a difficult hour to get through as it is a stark and saddening reminder of what occurred last year.

The entire group bands together to support the George Floyd protests in this week’s episode, “Listen.” It stirs up a lot of emotions for many characters, mainly Rome (Romany Malco), who can’t seem to wrap his head around the country’s state.

Time and time again, he’s had to prove himself to the world, and learning about George Floyd’s death is the last straw in a string of neverending incidents that should have never happened. It’s certainly a moment of awakening for everyone in the group, and it’s done incredibly well by the writers and cast of A Million Little Things. 

As the protests occur, Maggie (Allison Miller) finds herself grappling with difficulties in her new job. And then there’s Katherine (Grace Park) and Eddie (David Giuntoli) who are attempting to traverse through their broken marriage. As I said, its emotions abound, so grab a box of tissues and read all about what went down in this week’s episode of A Million Little Things Season 3.

A Million Little Things Season 3, Episode 13: The fight for justice

Regina and Rome have Flo (Karen Robinson) and Walter (Lou Beatty Jr.) come over before heading out to the protests. They plan to meet everyone at the restaurant, Tyrell (Adam Swain) included, before going to the protests together.

Walter, however, isn’t planning on going on account of feeling that protests don’t do much for the bigger cause. His thought process is that the entire country’s foundation needs to be broken and re-established if real change is going to happen.

Rome is already frustrated with his father’s notions when Gary (James Roday Rodriguez) calls and asks about their plans for the day. He seems to be taking things lightly, and it makes Rome angry beyond belief. He feels as if Gary is asking him about the protests as if they are about Rome, but in all fairness, Gary was trying to figure things out and help however he can. But the last time he tried to help, things did escalate at the softball game, and they both ended up in a cop car. So, I get it, Rome, I get it.

After that call, Rome decides he’s not going to the protests after all. He’s feeling way too heated, and he’s afraid it may cause him to react violently if even the slightest thing goes wrong. Regina lends her support and urges him to do whatever he needs to do.

As Flo, Regina, and Tyrell head out, Rome gives Tyrell a pep talk about how to behave during the protests. He lays it out bluntly for him–“There are police out there looking for a reason to take your life. Young man, do not give them a reason.” It’s a profound moment between the two and speaks to the state of Rome’s mind, wanting to do more but feeling helpless.

Later as Rome and Walter watch the protests on television, Rome confesses to his father that his depression is linked to the fact that he doesn’t feel welcome in his own home. The world doesn’t present him with that luxury, and above all, he doesn’t want Tyrell to feel the same as he does.

At that moment, Walter feels he must do something for the sake of his son and heads to the protests.

A Million Little Things Season 3, Episode 13: Awkward run-ins

Things get tense ahead of the protests as Katherine and Eddie help Theo (Tristan Byon) make signs for the protests. Alan (Terry Chen) shows up because Tyrell invited him, unaware that Eddie and Katherine would be there. Considering Catherine and Alan kissed not so long ago, it’s not exactly the most comfortable situation to be in.

Eddie tries to make the best of the situation and sucks it up for the sake of Theo. Still, it certainly makes for some awkward moments throughout, especially when Theo gets lost during the protests and is helped by someone who mistakes Alan to be his father. Yikes.

We learn more about Gary’s past after Darcy asks him why he was called Javier in the school video they watched in last week’s episode. As it turns out, his full name was Javier Mendez Jr., but he eventually changed his name to Gary after racist jokes were made about him and his family. His father was a custodian at his school, and once kids made the connection they were related, they got pretty brutal with their bullying.

Before going to high school, Gary met a camp counselor he really liked whose name was Gary and when he went back to school that fall, he told the teacher that his name was actually Gary, not Javier. This story helps Darcy realize why Rome was so angry with Gary–Rome can’t hide who he is or change how people see him, but Gary got that option without thinking much about it.

Way to go, Darcy, for making that connection!

A Million Little Things Season 3, Episode 13: An accident

Rome rushes to the hospital after learning Regina got hurt at the protest. They were peaceful, but while Regina tried to help out someone else, a cop knocked her down, and her head hit the pavement pretty hard.

Luckily, she’s just fine, but Rome is frightened beyond belief at the thought of something happening to her. He can’t go inside the hospital when he gets there due to COVID restrictions, but Tyrell manages to have a nurse call them from inside so Rome can talk to Regina.

It’s a heavy moment for Rome, who is flooded with so many emotions and breaks down in Walter’s arms after getting off the phone with Regina. Later on, Gary stops by Rome’s place to apologize for the conversation from earlier. He explains that he understands why Rome has felt the way he has and that he has to work on things too. And he’ll start that by apologizing to Rome and acknowledging what he could do better.

We’re given a beautiful moment following that interaction between Regina and Rome. He realized after Regina’s accident how she must have felt when she found his suicide note. She’s his world, and he can’t imagine his without her. Cue the tears!

We don’t see a lot of Maggie during this week’s episode, but the little we do is amazing. She had recently gotten a job on a radio segment to do five-minute therapy sessions. However, it was not what she would have expected, and she felt like she wasn’t helping anyone at all in such a short amount of time.

She ends up quitting and thinks that she might have an opportunity to do her own, the way she wants! I’m so on board for an official Maggie podcast!

What a profound episode!

What did you think of this week’s episode of A Million Little Things Season 3? Tell us in the comments below!