This Is Us

10 Best Episodes of This Is Us - Season 1

Follows the lives and families of three adults living and growing up in the United States of America in present and past times. As their paths cross and their life stories intertwine in curious ways, we find that several of them share the same birthday - and so much more than anyone would expect.

Written by Sophie and last updated on feb 02, 2023.

PS: The following content contains spoilers!

PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!

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This Is Us - S1E3

#15 - Kyle (Season 1 - Episode 3)

Rebecca makes a surprise visit to Randall's home where she encounters his biological father, William. Kevin anxiously decides to take the plunge and move to New York to pursue a Broadway job, with the expectation that his sister, Kate, will move with him. Toby is determined to get Kate out of Kevin's shadow. Jack and Rebecca take home their babies from the hospital and adjust to the new life of parenthood, while coping with the loss of their other child. Rebecca struggles to connect with their adopted child and searches for answers.

The episode was rated 7.97 from 5674 votes.

This Is Us - S1E6

#14 - Career Days (Season 1 - Episode 6)

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Kate interviews for a new job that seems just about perfect, although it comes with a catch. Randall doubts his career choice and wonders if he followed the right path. Kevin and Olivia's relationship moves in a new direction. Rebecca and Jack are conflicted on what to do when Randall tests as a gifted child.

The episode was rated 7.98 from 5091 votes.

This Is Us - S1E18

#13 - Moonshadow (Season 1 - Episode 18)

Jack heads to Cleveland to make things right with Rebecca on the night of her first big gig with the band. Randall, Kate and Kevin make big decisions about their futures.

The episode was rated 7.99 from 4295 votes.

This Is Us - S1E5

#12 - The Game Plan (Season 1 - Episode 5)

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Rebecca and Jack get into an argument about starting a family. The family backstory behind the long line of love for the Pittsburgh Steelers is revealed. After accepting his part in the play, Kevin realizes his script is relevant to his own life. Randall and Beth encounter an unexpected turn of events.

The episode was rated 8.01 from 5397 votes.

This Is Us - S1E4

#11 - The Pool (Season 1 - Episode 4)

Rebecca and Jack take Kevin, Kate, and Randall to the community pool on a hot day and quickly realize each child is going through their own struggles. Kevin auditions for his first Broadway play in New York and meets a determined actress who is less than impressed by him. Toby runs into his ex-wife while at a restaurant with Kate, which sends Kate into a spiral of self-doubt. William is mistakenly reported as a loiterer in Randall's predominately white neighborhood, which exposes deep-rooted issues of race.

The episode was rated 8.02 from 5498 votes.

This Is Us - S1E11

#10 - The Right Thing to Do (Season 1 - Episode 11)

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Kate struggles with her feelings in the aftermath of Toby's heart attack. As William begins to spend more time with Jesse, Randall has to get used to his father's new relationship. After receiving the news they're expecting triplets, Jack and Rebecca must find a way to afford a home that can accommodate three babies. Olivia unexpectedly resurfaces, throwing both Kevin and Sloane for a loop.

The episode was rated 8.03 from 4610 votes.

This Is Us - S1E12

#9 - The Big Day (Season 1 - Episode 12)

As the birth date of her triplets quickly approaches, a frazzled and emotional Rebecca forgets Jack's birthday. Dr. Katowski struggles with the loss of his wife and wonders how he'll be able to continue on with his life without her. Joe, the firefighter who delivered baby Randall to the hospital, fights to save his marriage.

The episode was rated 8.04 from 4134 votes.

This Is Us - S1E15

#8 - Jack Pearson's Son (Season 1 - Episode 15)

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As Kevin stresses about the premiere of his play, he receives support from an unexpected source. Randall struggles under the pressure of both his work and ailing father. Rebecca and Jack's Valentine's Day doesn't go as planned. Toby and Kate decide to dig deep and get to know each other's biggest secrets.

The episode was rated 8.08 from 4531 votes.

This Is Us - S1E13

#7 - Three Sentences (Season 1 - Episode 13)

Jack and Rebecca get in over their heads when they decide to throw Kate, Kevin and Randall three separate parties for their 10th birthday. Randall struggles to make time for William as things intensify at the office. Kevin makes a major decision in his romantic life. Kate's gastric bypass journey takes an unexpected turn.

The episode was rated 8.08 from 4434 votes.

This Is Us - S1E9

#6 - The Trip (Season 1 - Episode 9)

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Kate, Kevin and Randall head to their family's cabin to get away after their chaotic family Thanksgiving. A very angry Randall finds comfort and explanation from his father, Jack. Olivia speaks a harsh truth to Kate, which drives a wedge between Kate and Kevin. Rebecca and Jack struggle with what to do when 9-year-old Randall tells them that he's been looking for his birth parents.

The episode was rated 8.09 from 4822 votes.

This Is Us - S1E10

#5 - Last Christmas (Season 1 - Episode 10)

The Pearson family finds themselves at the hospital on Christmas Eve after little Kate comes down with appendicitis. When they run into Dr. Katowski, who is alone at the hospital, they realize they need to be there for him as much as he was once there for them. Presently, Kevin celebrates Hanukkah with Olivia and her family, Kate continues to pursue her big surgery and someone from William's past reappears in his life.

The episode was rated 8.10 from 4925 votes.

This Is Us - S1E8

#4 - Pilgrim Rick (Season 1 - Episode 8)

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As Jack, Rebecca and the three kids make their way to Rebecca's parents' house for their traditional Thanksgiving holiday, an unforeseen detour occurs. Kate makes two drastic life-changing decisions. Kevin brings Olivia to Randall's house for Thanksgiving. Randall's heart is broken when he learns about a lifelong secret his mother has kept from him.

The episode was rated 8.13 from 4982 votes.

This Is Us - S1E1

#3 - Pilot (Season 1 - Episode 1)

As their paths cross and their life stories intertwine in curious ways, we find that several of them share the same birthday and so much more than anyone would expect.

The episode was rated 8.14 from 7532 votes.

This Is Us - S1E17

#2 - What Now? (Season 1 - Episode 17)

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The entire Pearson family gathers at Randall's for an unusual party. Kevin and Sophie's relationship deepens on the night of his play's premiere. Kate struggles to open up to Toby about her father's death. Tensions are high between Jack and Rebecca as she leaves on tour with her band.

The episode was rated 8.20 from 4501 votes.

This Is Us - S1E16

#1 - Memphis (Season 1 - Episode 16)

Randall and William take a road trip to Memphis, where Randall learns about his biological father's past.

The episode was rated 8.40 from 4487 votes.

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