This Is Us Season 3 Premiere Takes a Beloved Character Down a Dark Path

For once, Dan Fogelman didn’t have fans crying during the season three premiere of This is Us. While he did leave us with more questions on who “her” is, we did get a new look into Jack and Rebecca’s first date and a new beginning for Kate and Toby.

“Nine Bucks” had fans wishing they were back in the 1970’s as they witnessed the most awkward and probably worst first date. However, it was perfect for Jack and Rebecca. In season two we saw the beginning of the night when Jack was going to steal from Ray’s Tavern, but instead was captivated by Rebecca’s singing.

As the night went on, he decided to take her out and had to borrow money from his friend. With nine bucks, he did what he could so they went to a carnival. From there, well, it turned out to be the perfect Jack and Rebecca first date story. 

Jack spent all $2 before it started to rain. Rebecca mentioned getting an umbrella but Jack pushed it off, turning the night sour. Later, when she’s about to get out of the car and leave Jack’s life forever he revealed his money troubles and how if he spent the money on the umbrella, he wouldn’t have had enough money for her to play a game.

It was a moment that was so imperfectly perfect and also so very real. Fogelman and writers were able to find such a realistic and romantic way for them to end the night. However, while you would think it would be uphill from there, think again.

The writers surprised Rebecca with what appeared to be a former beau trying to come back into her life. There had never been a challenger when it came to Rebecca’s love and now, we get to see Jack fight for his future wife.

Speaking of wife, in present day for the recently married Kate and Toby she, along with Kevin and Randall, celebrated their 38th birthdays.

To parallel her parent’s first date, Kate and Toby’s day seemed to start out okay before ending badly. They were seeking out fertility treatments and were having issues finding doctors to take their case. After her mini meltdown at her birthday brunch, Kate receives a call where her doctor said she had a change of heart and takes Kate on as a patient.

That didn’t sit well with Toby since he’d already announced he was happy IVF was off the table. Sadly for one of America’s favorite characters, it seemed like Toby will be going down a dark path. At the end of “Nine Bucks,” Toby flushed his anti-depressants down the toilet. That doctor had previously said the pills could be causing his sperm count to be low, but he was willing to risk his well-being to help Kate. It’s another storyline that will definitely be tough to watch moving forward.

As for “her,” Old Randall and adult Tess brought up seeing her at the end of season two. Within the last seconds of the premiere both of them are going to see “her.” While Tess is using the restroom, Randall calls Old Toby and asked if he’s coming down. He said, “She’d want you there,” leading us to believe he’s talking about Kate.

We know it is not always what it seems with the Pearsons. So we’ll have to wait and see where season three takes us.