This Is Us Review: The Best Washing Machine in the Whole World (Season 1 Episode 7)
On This Is Us Season 13 Episode 4, “The Best Washing Machine in the Whole World,” a lot is unearthed between Kevin and Randall, two estranged brothers who are on the verge of reconciliation.
The episode’s cold open features the different changes Jack and Rebecca’s house goes through, not unlike the changes the family experiences themselves.
Suddenly, we are in a new era: The ’90s.
The kids are teenagers, Jack has a goatee, and Rebecca is sporting a new hairstyle. Apart from these physical changes, there is a noticeable shift in the air as well. Are Rebecca and Jack falling out of love?
Given that Rebecca spends much of the episode feeling ignored by Jack, who is too tired and busy to hear about her singing rehearsal (though, to his credit, he does try), it seems like the show is continuing down this path of marital woes for our two favorite love birds. It’s sad, man.
Is the show foreshadowing Jack’s infidelity with that office colleague who creepily overstepped by fixing his collar? (Seriously, who does that?)
I vote let’s not go this way, show.
I can take Jack being a drunk or being too busy for his family, but I can’t take him as a cheater. That feels highly counter-intuitive to who Jack is at his core.
The main focus of the episode hinges on Randall and Kevin, both in present-day and in the past timeline.
As teenagers, their relationship is contentious and hostile, as evidenced by their big fight on the football team. A similar fight occurs in present-day when the two finally start communicating on a deeper level.
Kevin often oscillates between being a jerk and an endearing buffoon, but it’s clear that he was a terrible brother, one who treated Randall disparagingly and as an outsider. Randall’s standoffish-ness makes sense when we see how awful Kevin was to him growing up.
On the other hand, the resentment Kevin has been harboring for Randall also makes sense. When you’re a kid, and you see a parent favor a sibling over you, it sucks. And I can see how it has contributed to his lack of self-esteem.
In this case, Randall admits that Rebecca favored him as a child, but that’s because on some level she was trying to make up for the lack of love from his brother.
It’s a heartbreaking confrontation, and you can see the look of regret on Kevin’s face as he listens to Randall admit how much he desired his brother’s affection and respect, but he never got it.
It’s worthy to note that part of the reason why Kevin is even living with Randall is because on some level, he’s looking to mend his relationship with his brother.
Maybe he didn’t know the extent of how crappy of a brother he was, but he knew enough to try to make things right with Randall, and judging by the final moments of the episode, where the two get together to watch TV, which is probably more bonding than they have ever done alone, Randall is going to be receptive towards Kevin’s efforts.
It’s going to be a slow process, but there is enough good will between them to build a successful relationship. Some harsh truths were uttered by the both of them, but the brothers are likely better for it.
Other final thoughts:
- The struggle is real for Kate. People influence each other, so it’s no surprise that when Toby ditches his diet, she slips up as well.
- Teenage Kate is a cutie.
- There is such a warmth to the Beth and William scenes. I really dig it. It feels very familial. Also, the normalization of medical marijuana use? As Randall says, “that’s cool.”
- I have a feeling Kevin has alienated himself from everyone but Kate. I like that there are unresolved feelings with Mom, Dad, and Randall. For someone who has a child-like naivety, he’s got a lot of complexity to him. I’m looking forward to his scenes with Rebecca next week.
- The washing machine exemplifies the small things the show does that just gets to me. It was a simple montage that was repeated at the end, but kind of just hits home on the idea of change, and all the nostalgia that comes with it.
What did you think of this episode of This Is Us? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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This Is Us airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on NBC.
Shabnaj Chowdhury
Shabnaj is a pop-culture enthusiast who spends much of her time enabling her coffee addiction and thinking about Jon Snow's hair. Some of her favorite shows include Friday Night Lights, The Leftovers, and Game of Thrones. Shabnaj also loves to write creative non-fiction.