This time its Randall excitedly gearing up for Thanksgiving and helping Deja out with a science presentation on photosynthesis.
They fight until Deja arrives, beaming at the sight of her mother.
We gotta do it through the social worker, Deja cautions.
Credit: Ron Batzdorff/NBC
We just need to wait a little longer.
Calmed by her daughter, Shauna drives away.
After that revelation, we learn, William told Randall about the time he almost entered his life.
Its a theme feeling and being out of place that ripples through the episode.
Teen Randall is filling out his Harvard app while maintaining an interest in Howard University, an HBCU.
(He hesitates at first to miss Kevins football game.)
And later, the group bonds over the fact that they all went to predominantly white high schools.
Randall, finally, is among people who understand his experience.
Randall initially laughs it off I hesitated not because youre white, but because youre old!
I just feel like Im always going to feel this way, Randall explains.
Just off balance like everythings just going to be a little bit more complicated for me.
At that, Jack decides to make another stop, taking Randall to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Theyll sometimes feel out of place, but its worth it nonetheless.
Its that lived experience, perhaps, that compels adult Randall to have a change of heart.
They then enter Dejas classroom for her presentation and watch with pride alongside her teacher and classmates.
What follows is a wrenching goodbye scene.
Deja hugs Beth first, who tells her to take care of her big, beautiful hair and heart.
But its Dejas farewell with Randall that stings and lingers.
I know my mother does some stupid stuff sometimes, but mostly shes cool.
(One things for sure: Lyric Ross, who played Deja, was a revelation in the role.
Well hopefully be seeing much more of her in the years to come.)
Beth hears the news and tells Randall.
Ill kill him, Randall mutters.
Not if I dont kill him first, Beth replies.
Just how much oxygen will Kevins troubles take up in the seasons second half?
Perhaps we should take that Number One nickname more seriously.
