This Is Us Round Table: React to Kevin and Cassidy's First Kiss
Jack Ori
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Kevin and Cassidy kissed.
Jack struggled with not being good enough for Rebecca's father during a golf game, while Randall struggled with his identity as a black teenager.
Our TV Fanatics Mariha Morales, Christine Orlando, and Jack Ori discuss our reactions to Kevin and Cassidy's first kiss, whether Randall was downplaying his golf skills, and what our favorite moments were from This Is Us Season 4 Episode 6 .
Randall went golfing with his co-workers and played badly. Was he downplaying his golfing skills to gain favor with them or did he really not know how to play?
Mariha: I had a feeling Randall actually knew how to play golf well.
As Jack said in the later scene, sometimes you have to downplay your strengths to get what you want. It's all part of the game.
Related: This Is Us Season 4 Episode 6 Review
Randall got into Harvard, and typically, they like more than just smarts. I wouldn't be surprised if he got a golf scholarship.
This is Us is fantastic in multi-timeline storytelling, and this episode was one of the best. So well done, especially highlighting Randall's struggle with identity.
Christine: Yes. Randall knew that playing well wouldn’t win him any favors as he already wasn't well-liked. He needed to win over the other council members and playing the role of the underdog, even if it was just on the golf course, helped that.
Randall was definitely playing the game, and I don’t mean golf.
Jack: This completely went over my head. I took it at face value that Randall wasn’t playing well, though I did think he joined the game to try to establish relationships with the other council members.
Was Jack right to turn down the job interview that Rebecca's father tried to set up for him?
Mariha: Yes! He would only continue to have Rebecca's father controlling his destiny.
He didn't want the life Rebecca's father mapped out ,but had a vision of his own.
Related: Milo Ventimigalia Teases His Future On This Is Us: Is He Leaving?
He wanted to stand on his own, which is noble, though I do think there is nothing wrong with asking for help. A good number of wealthy people all had help.
It all worked out in the end, so he made the right choice.
Christine: Only if he really wasn’t interested in the job.
The reality is that getting a good job has as much to do with who you know as with what you know.
I thought Jack should have taken the interview to see if it was something he would have liked to do.
Jack: I was torn on this.
On the one hand, I didn’t like Dave’s attitude that Jack was less worthy as a human being because he held a blue-collar job.
On the other, there is no shame in getting a better job via your connections.
I respected Jack for being determined to make his own way, but I also agree with Christine that rejecting the offer without exploring it further was a mistake.
Cassidy and Kevin finally kissed! React!
Mariha: I cringed! I literally said "Oh no."
I may still be holding a torch for Zoey, but I am not buying this pairing. I think they make great friends.
I was also honestly hoping they were related through Nicky, so not excited.
And, they kissed when she was at her most vulnerable. which is not great.
I hope we are surprised by the outcome. Ending up with Kevin is too obvious.
Christine: I love these two together, but this happened way too soon.
I’m guessing they will try and play this off as a one-time thing between them because neither is emotionally ready to take on a romantic relationship.
They are both still hung up on their exes.
I want to see a future with Kevin and Cassidy together, but this isn’t the road I was expecting it to take.
Jack: I’m with Christine on this. I’m rooting for them to get together, but not like this.
Cassidy was too upset about her impending divorce to think clearly, and Kevin would have hooked up with that other woman from the gym if Cassidy hadn't shown up just then.
That’s not a good basis for a relationship, so let’s hope they can recover from this and move on in a healthier way.
How surprised were you that Kevin wasn't enjoying living in the small town environment where Nicky lives?
Mariha: Not surprised at all!
This kid left home for the big city excitement and lived in LA for years.
I completely understand his pain. I left my hometown for a while, thinking I could be a country person. You learn quickly!
You either love it or hate it. Don't know many city people that can make that switch permanently.
It's madness when it's 10:30 pm and you can't order takeout because everything is closed.
Christine: Not a bit surprised.
Small town life is nice in small doses, but the quiet life can get to you if you aren’t used to it.
Kevin is used to New York and L.A. where there is plenty to do all of the time.
Perhaps if he had a family to focus on it wouldn’t be so bad, but with just him and Nicky, I’m sure it’s gotten boring.
Jack: I’m not surprised either.
Kevin impulsively decided to move into the trailer park, and he was thinking more of Nicky than himself.
Related: Why Kevin is The Most Underappreciated Character on This Is Us
I’m all for him bonding with his uncle, but this decision was bound to cause problems for him sooner or later.
Did Toby and Kate come to a new understanding or is Toby's weight loss going to continue to be an obstacle for Kate?
Mariha: I doubt the issue is over.
Toby will only continue to lose weight as the stress of Jack multiples.
Kate, however, might continue to gain, since that is how she seems to be dealing with stress lately.
I haven't heard any mention of her walks, so hopefully, she is still doing that.
I understand how it can be difficult. I can gain two pounds and feel like my boyfriend doesn't find me attractive anymore.
I am sure Kate will continue with the struggle, especially as other women might start giving Toby more attention.
Christine: I’m sure this issue will pop up again ,but in different ways.
Personally, I fear for Kate’s health.
I keep going back to Kate not appearing in those flash-forwards and I don’t think it’s a good sign.
Jack: Oh yeah, this is only the beginning.
Kate has struggled with her weight all her life, and she and Toby have never been on the same page about weight loss.
Plus, they’re both stressed out and not sure how to deal with baby Jack’s disability.
So this particular argument might have been resolved, but the issues between them haven’t been.
What was your favorite scene from this week's This Is Us?
Mariha: Jack inviting Mr. Lawrence and his wife to dinner.
Jack continues to prove why he is the best dad in the world. He really listens and does what is best for his kids, while putting his feelings to the side.
He thought about everything Randall said and wants to do right by him.
I smiled so hard because Jack knew that Randall needed a male figure that looked like him. That can hard to swallow, but that is what makes Jack amazing.
Christine: : I love the banter between Kevin and Cassidy.
When he showed her the photo of Zoey and the guy she was with and asked what Cassidy thought, her response made me laugh out loud.
I love how she and Kevin can say what they think to one another. It makes them all the more fun.
Jack: There were so many great moments in this one.
I loved Randall and Jack’s talk on the greens. Jack might not have fully understood what Randall was struggling with, but just the fact that Randall felt comfortable bringing up race issues with him showed he’d done a good job of connecting with his son.
Also, Nicky’s inability to understand what Kevin was doing on the phone and accidentally reacting to Zoey’s photo cracked me up.
Your turn, This Is Us fanatics!
Take to the comments to tell us your answers to these questions and all other things This Is Us.
Want to watch the episode again? No problem. Watch This Is Us online right here at TV Fanatic.
This Is Us continues to air on NBC on Tuesdays at 9 PM EST/PST.
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Jack Ori is a senior staff writer for TV Fanatic. His debut young adult novel, Reinventing Hannah, is available on Amazon. Follow him on X.
