Yet as with a few other episodes this week, the ingenuity of the idea somewhat outweighs the execution.
Lets go through the Thanksgivings.
He excuses himself and Jack finds him another room, helping him through a painful moment.
Credit: Ron Batzdorff/NBC
Jack gives an ever-inspiring speech about fighting for his family.
You are still their father, Jack reminds.
This part of the story gets wrapped up at the episodes end so more on that in a minute.
Its clear this isnt the case.
But abruptly, Beth gets a call they need to go home.
But Jack is more compelled by the woman with the necklace.
In this episode, we realize its rooted in empathy.
Her son cut his foot badly on a wire and is in need of some help.
The squad gathers for a Thanksgiving meal, with Nicky sitting off to the side.
All agree that Nicky does not appear fine.
But Jack excuses himself early for a different reason, to helpthe mystery woman.
And so Jack does the deed himself works to heal the cut, guiding the boy through the pain.
Yet this short, affecting tale leaves a more bittersweet feeling.
it’s possible for you to be nice all you want, Jack.
But theyre not just women and children.
William sees through the deception, and Jesse sees in response an inexplicably pleasant man worthy of the truth.
I dont know why Thanksgiving depresses me, he adds.
The pair instantly have a sweet, flirtatious banter; their attraction translates.
Overall this section feels a bit random but works within the episodes grander scheme.
Jesse arrives at the party with a beautiful woman, and disappointment overcomes Williams face.
But its a bit of a fakeout Jesse tells William not to worry, because its only his cousin.
And so a romance begins.
But Tobys quickly thrown by Randalls detailed instructions and overall aura of perfection.
Randall is basically your dad, he laments.
This is Kates domain.
Kate, in a timely test of parenthood, handles the situation delicately, sympathetically, and lovingly.
Needless to say, we have never talked about it since, she quips.
Its a nice scene and more intriguing than the ever-dullKate-Toby drama.
Kates conversation with Tess is punctuated by a reveal thats both intriguing and earned.
Kate says Tess has so much ahead of her including her first boyfriend.
…Or girlfriend, Tess replies, nervously.
Its because shes already booked with Miguels family.
Miguel, before they even get there, is deeply nervous.
And as the meal begins its not hard to understand why.
Indeed Andy goes at Rebecca hard, at one point accusing her of stealing his father.
Miguel initially takes it in, but then decides to take a stand.
Were not going to apologize for being together, he says.
The one time a decade you see Rebecca, you show my wife some respect.
And Amber even reaches a hand out to her dad a reminder that its never too late to heal.
Family takes many shapes in this show, even if the ones at its center are traditional in shape.
Theres Jacks Vietnam family, Williams musician family, Rebeccas new husbands family you name it.
Strangers can be your most impactful people, family can be your most impactful people.
We get a lovely, lengthy close-up of Randalls smiling face, and there goes Six Thanksgivings.
