Beth Pearson is the little island girl who danced before she could walk.
Beth and Kevin were the focal points of This Is Us Season 6 Episode 6, and while wildly different, their stories are empowering in their own ways.
They both had these ideas about their dream careers that didn’t necessarily come to fruition in the way that they had hoped.
That, in turn, affected how their lives unfolded.
Beth’s love of dance was stolen from her by Vincent, a dance teacher she once considered to be “god-like” before he pushed her aside and into the shadows when her abilities no longer met his standards following her father’s death.
Ever since Beth’s dreams were crushed, she locked away and repressed that side of herself until she decided that she no longer wanted to be controlled by the anger and pain that she felt.
Beth knew exactly what it was that she wanted from Vincent, and she could pinpoint the exact actions that hurt her, which is why she was able to become such a successful dance mentor.
She took what was stolen from her and gave it to all the deserving young dancers by helping them hone their craft, obtain scholarships, and most importantly, believe in themselves.
Beth is a superwoman. She’s always been one of my favorite characters on the series and this is why.
Her speech to Vincent was so powerful — I was cheering from the sidelines.
It helps that she’s always gotten the love and support that she has needed from Randall. Beth’s previous dance academy failed, but this time, she really figured it out.
Kevin’s acting career has been a whirlwind rollercoaster. He has a rough start in the beginning, which led to some questionable personal life choices.
The Manny” simultaneously made and broke him, but the reboot is putting some respect back on his name.
But Kevin’s issue has always been more personal than professional, particularly when it involves his love life.
We see similar situations pan out in both flashbacks and the present.
In flashbacks, Kevin informs Kate that he cheated on Sophie. And though it was a one-time thing and meant nothing, it was the catalyst to Kevin’s rough romantic life.
In the present, Kevin doesn’t exactly react to the news that Madison doesn’t want to spend Thanksgiving with the twins at the family cabin.
Kate is involved in both instances, but the way she handles them — and Kevin — are very different.
In the past, Kate knew about Kevin’s infidelity and kept it a secret from Sophie even when she confronted her about it because of her loyalty to her brother. It cost her a friendship with Sophie.
In the present, Kate values her friendship with Madison much more, so when Kevin overreacts and accuses Madison of being selfish and stealing what might be Rebecca’s final holiday with the twins, she informs Kevin that he was the one who couldn’t fall in love with Madison and is now punishing her for finding someone that did fall in love with her.
While Kevin has every right to feel a little jilted since he wants the family unit and wants to spend the holidays with his children, he has to understand that this is also a situation of his own making.
In both instances, they were, and he just wasn’t mature enough to accept the repercussions and fall out.
It’s an important lesson, and even if Kate isn’t there to say exactly what Kevin wants to hear, I’m glad she has his back.
Kate finally realized just how unfair it was to Sophie, and when she reached out with an apology, Sophie immediately responded that she understood why she did it.
Sophie has always been the one that got away — that’s why Kevin couldn’t tell Madison he loved her, right? — so does Kate’s decision to reconnect mean that we’ll eventually see Sophie and Kevin’s “grand love story” pan out?
I know Kevin hasn’t been the best boyfriend/husband, but I’m rooting for them!
Elijah also took it upon himself to make it abundantly clear to Kevin that he shouldn’t be playing nice and waiting around for Madison.
Kevin seemed rather impressed with Elijah’s take-charge attitude, which also proves he was never in love with Madison nor was he wanting to get back together with her.
Go, Elijah! Wow, I’m rooting for so many couples this season, including Miguel and Rebecca.
THIS IS US — “Our Little Island Girl: Part Two” Episode 606 — Pictured: (l-r) Susan Kelechi Watson as Beth, Jazlyn Martin as Stacey — (Photo by: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)
They definitely have feelings for each other even if they don’t want to admit it to themselves or each other. And it makes sense. Miguel is already always around. They enjoy each other’s company — I mean, they’re out here brine-ing the turkey together.
Of course, it’s complicated since Rebecca is seeing Matt and invited him to Thanksgiving.
Matt’s sweet, but Miguel is Miguel.
The holidays have a way of… making you realize just how much you care about someone else, so, while I know how Miguel and Rebecca’s story ends, I’m really excited to see the beginning of their relationship. They are “best friends” but the chemistry is obviously there even if they are hesitant to act on it because of Jack.
We’ve always shouted “justice for Miguel, and it seems like that justice is finally coming!
And lastly, Kate and Toby aren’t doing so hot.
Toby is barely a character this season but his co-star is that wireless bluetooth set. And I’m just as annoyed as Kate anytime he pops up on the screen.
I always champion a man who works to put food on his family’s dinner table, but Toby doesn’t seem to know how to set boundaries and doesn’t understand what it means to balance your professional and personal life.
And, as we saw in the flash-forward scenes, it’s going to cause a rift between him and Kate pretty soon, which is heartbreaking.
It sucks seeing Toby this way because he’s so far removed from the man we all fell in love with initially.
Maybe one day he’ll realize that work was never more important than family, but by then, it’ll be too late.
Kevin tried to give him a warning but Toby’s defensive reaction said it all.
Watching Kate and Toby is like waiting for the bomb to go off… but when it does, we should all run for cover.
What did you think of the episode? Sound off in the comments!