It is time that we, the collective It’s us viewers, give Miguel Rivas a damn breather.
Sure, it’s nice to dive on him. I have definitely done this more than once. But Rebecca’s husband shows up repeatedly, cares a lot and lets things get right – and half the time he does it with an outburst from the ’70s that will make Farrah Fawcett envious.
This week’s episode is not so much a showcase for Jack’s best friend, but it’s a reminder that he was by no means waiting for Jack to kick it, so he could drag in a grieving Rebecca. Instead, he’s a decent guy who helped ease the big tension between the young Pearson and Rebecca’s father on the day Rebecca and Jack got engaged. And he happens to like small plates!
Read on for the highlights of “Both Things Can Be True.”
WHO IS THE BEST MAN? (PART I) | In retrospect, Jack prepares to ask Rebecca to marry him. He has a big plan to turn her apartment into a carnival – complete with candy canes and flashing lights – to recreate their first date. Miguel helps him get the place ready and encourages him to practice the proposal, which includes props. It all goes smoothly … until Jack Rebecca’s ring sits waaaaay on Miguel’s little finger, and it’s stuck.
Of course, this is the moment that Rebecca’s father shows up to personally tell Jack that although he will not give his blessing to the marriage, he will do his best to be civil. Jack is willing to accept it, but Miguel is not. “It’s not good enough,” he says, going into a speech about what a wonderful old Jack is and how much he has done to make himself a better partner for Rebecca. And if Mr. Malone can not bless the union, ‘says it much more of you than of him.’ Rebecca’s dad seems to be reconsidering this, and then he announces that he knows a trick to get the ring off that includes dental floss.
WHO IS THE BEST MAN? (PART II) | Kevin wants to ask Randall to be his best man, but can not write the email asking him to do so. Meanwhile, Miguel’s planning of Kevin and Madison’s rehearsal dinner irritates Nicky, who steps in and says he wants to help. What he really wants to do is look at Miguel about how he stole Rebecca after Jack’s death. “It just does not sit with me,” Nicky says. “My brother cuts me off from his life, replaces me with you, and you come along, you sweep in and marry his wife.”
For the second time in this episode, Miguel is not going to be dealing with nonsense. He points out that he and Rebecca were married 13 years after Jack’s death. And as he deals with the subject: ‘There is only one person I owe, and that is the person I can never give to anyone. I certainly do not owe you one. ”
Later, Nicky calls for an apology, and Miguel makes something clear: “He never replaced you, Nicky.” He adds that Jack asked him to stand up at his wedding, but ‘he could not call me his best man because I think he saved for you somewhere deep within that place.’ You guys, I think these two are going to be friends!
Kevin calls Randall, not realizing that his brother spent part of the day at a serious group therapy session for overweight contractors. Randall, however, happily agrees to be Kevin’s best man, but is unwilling to hold the conversation they postpone the night the babies were born. Kev fully understands this and suggests that they have it in person once they are both vaccinated. This surprises Randall, but he easily agrees.
I could have danced all night | Kate starts her new job at school, but her co-worker (immediate boss?) Philip (played by You are the worstsays Chris Geere) is less than impressed with her. He makes it clear that she did not qualify for the job and was not at the top of his list, but that someone higher up made it clear that she was going to get the job. But when she helped a young singer open her performance of “I Could Have Dancing All Night” by telling her the story of My Fair Lady, Philip seems slightly impressed.
STUMPING OVER NEW LAND | Tess’s more-than-a-friend Alex comes to ‘study’, but when Beth catches the couple in a brief moment (with the door closed!), She asks them both to come down and go study on the couch. So Tess calls her mother a ‘psycho’, and Beth sends Alex home. The whole thing starts with an argument in which Tess makes her mother feel terrible because she could not easily avoid the heteronormative fantasy she had about Tess’s growing up and marriage to a man. Beth accuses her mother of thinking she would let it all go. ‘It’s more than letting go. You have to adapt, ‘says Mama C and gently suggests that Beth should adapt sooner rather than later. Time is so precious. You cut and your daughter is mature, and you’re holed up in her house to make up 20 years for not adjusting. ”
When Beth later tries to smooth things over with Tess, Tess turns the knife in the way only teens can do. “I know you’re trying. I also know you do not do it has to try with Annie or Deja, ”she says. “It makes me sad.” And when Beth insists that they’re still close and that things are not distressed, Tess says, “OK, Mom,” in the “OK, Boomer” way that is equally furious and destructive.
THE CASE OF THE EX | At the end of the episode, we see three people pick up copies of a gossip magazine that has the news about Kevin and Madison on the cover. who was back in the last episode and is therefore less of a surprise) and Sophie. Of the three, only Sophie looks a little sad as she takes in the announcement.
Now it’s your turn. What did you think of the episode? Sounds down in the comments!