Ep. 10: Happy Thanksgiving | "Pilgrim Rick" (S1E8)

Introduction

Podcast Episode Overview

Welcome to another episode of "That Was Us." Today, we delve into the memorable episode titled "Pilgrim Rick" (S1E8) of the beloved series “This Is Us.” Airing on November 22, 2016, this episode is packed with twists and turns that explore family dynamics, life-altering decisions, and buried secrets.

Summary of Events

In this episode, an unexpected detour changes the course of Jack, Rebecca, and the kids' Thanksgiving trip to their traditional dinner. Kate makes significant decisions that mark a turning point in her life. Olivia accompanies Kevin to Randall's house, where he learns a devastating secret.

Financial Struggles and Family Trips

The episode kicks off with some light banter about how expensive summers can be, setting the stage for an ad about Chime checking accounts. The hosts share personal anecdotes about the cost of summer activities and seamlessly transition into describing Chime's features such as fee-free overdrafts and getting paid early.

The Unexpected Journey

The Car Ride

The Pearson family sets off on a road trip to Rebecca's parents' house, with "You Can Call Me Al" by Paul Simon playing in the car. Disaster strikes when a tire blows out, forcing them to hike to a nearby lodge.

Pilgrim Rick

During their hike, they are welcomed by an eccentric character named Pilgrim Rick. Back at the lodge, Jack improvises a new Thanksgiving tradition by making hot dogs wrapped in cheese and rolled in crackers, grilled over an open furnace flame. This improvisation becomes a cherished family tradition in future Thanksgivings.

Emotional Conversations

Kate and Toby

Kate makes the difficult decision to break up with Toby, feeling she needs to be alone to make a significant life change. Toby, visibly heartbroken, tries to navigate through his emotions.

Randall's Revelation

Randall has planned a picture-perfect Thanksgiving but stumbles upon a letter while fetching some tapes for his biological father, William. This letter, written by Rebecca to William, shatters him as it reveals a long-held secret: Rebecca knew William much earlier than Randall was led to believe.

The episode ends on a cliffhanger, with Randall confronting Rebecca, unable to look at her the same way again.

Thanksgiving Traditions

The Thanksgiving-themed episode beautifully illustrates how the "worst" moments can create the strongest family traditions. Such as:

Pilgrim Rick: Randall donning the 'Pilgrim Rick' hat becomes a cherished family tradition.
The Yarn Thanksgiving Story: A tradition started by Jack and continued by Rebecca, signifying gratitude.

Fan Segment

The fan segment is filled with heartfelt stories from parents sharing moments when they felt overwhelmed, mirroring the episode's themes of family, struggle, and eventual triumph.

Podcast Production Credits

Hosts:

Mandy Moore
Chris Sullivan
Sterling K. Brown

Producer:

Sarah Wortheim

Produced by Rabbit Grin Productions and filmed at The Grove, with episode music by Taylor Goldsmith and Griffin Goldsmith.

Keywords

Thanksgiving
Family Traditions
Pilgrim Rick
Chime Checking Account
Overeaters Anonymous (OA)
Kate's Decision
Randall’s Revelation
William and Rebecca’s Secret
Emotional Turmoil
Kevin and Olivia
Parent Overwhelm

FAQ

Q: What leads the Pearson family to Pilgrim Rick? A: The Pearson family’s car tire blows out, making them hike to a nearby lodge where Pilgrim Rick becomes part of their Thanksgiving tradition.

Q: What significant decision does Kate make in this episode? A: Kate decides to break up with Toby, feeling she needs to be alone to make significant life changes, including considering gastric bypass surgery.

Q: Why is Randall upset with Rebecca? A: Randall discovers that Rebecca had known William earlier than she led him to believe, shattering his trust in her.

Q: How does Kevin’s relationship with Olivia progress in this episode? A: Kevin brings Olivia to Thanksgiving dinner, but their budding relationship hits a bump as Kevin realizes the complexities of her emotional state.

Q: What new family traditions are created in this episode? A: The Pearsons create new Thanksgiving traditions such as grilling hot dogs over an open furnace flame and Randall donning the 'Pilgrim Rick' hat. These traditions originate from a disastrous but memorable Thanksgiving.