'This Is Us': Chrissy Metz shocked by miscarriage storyline, teases Kate's college fate
Warning: This postmortem contains spoilers from the “Number Two” episode of This Is Us.
Kate was dealt a depressing blow in tonight’s episode of This Is Us after allowing herself to celebrate her surprise pregnancy at Toby’s pushing. And while it looked shaky at the beginning, like she might undo all of the good personal growth she’d accomplished over the last season and a half, Kate said no to the buffet binge, allowed her mom to comfort her and give her advice, patched things up with Toby, and vowed to try again by the end of the hour.
It’s understandable that even the real person behind the fictional character might need an occasional breather from that emotionally charged day job. But before heading out for a much–needed Thanksgiving break, Chrissy Metz spoke with Yahoo TV about being proud of helping to bring the miscarriage issue to This Is Us’s huge TV audience, the complicated mother-daughter dynamics, and how it’s hard to even fake being mean to Mandy Moore. She also teases upcoming developments on the college and dad’s death fronts.
I asked Justin this last week and would be curious to hear your answer. When you were told that there would be an episode that focused mostly on Kate, were you more excited or nervous? What is the pressure level associated with it?
I am grateful to explore Kate and her story in such depth, but it can be challenging in [terms of] expectations.
When you realized the writers planned to have Kate miscarry, were you on board or did you want this to go another way for her? From your actress side, you had to be jazzed by such a meaty turn of events.
I was shocked, but I know just how important miscarriage is to discuss. There is so much shame and guilt surrounding such a difficult life event. It was challenging as an actress for sure.
This terrible traumatic thing happened to Kate and at first we see her try to go on business as usual and deal with it all on her own. Is this a coping method that you can relate to?
Of course. I think our society teaches us to press on, buck up, and move past our pain instead of processing it and talking about it.
I did think it showed tremendous personal growth when she walked away from the buffet plate without binging.
Absolutely.
On that note, I debated with Isaac and Justin about which Pearson sibling is the most unstable and messed up by the loss of their dad. For the longest time, my vote was on Kate but things like not binge eating in a time of severe stress and depression or by letting her mom comfort her makes me change my mind. Clearly, it is Kevin. Would you agree?
I think we are each severely changed by the guilt we have surrounding Jack’s death. We will come to find why we feel guilty and just how [much]. We all fill the void in some way.
Kate made a joke about her mom making too much space in her heart for Randall. We know Kevin and Randall have long had their issues but where do you think Kate and Randall stand?
They love one another and have a solid relationship. She’s been the glue between the three.
Sterling K. Brown as Randall, Chrissy Metz as Kate, and Justin Hartley as Kevin in This Is Us (Photo Credit: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)
I have a very complicated relationship with my mom and Kate’s interactions with Rebecca always get me because I feel represented even though our issues are not exactly the same. The imperfect TV mom is nice to see and it was also nice to see Rebecca be there for Kate and figure out that she needed her to show up even though she did not ask for it. Can you talk about creating that relationship with Mandy and also how you feel about where they are now?
I have been a fan of Mandy’s for so long and working with her is wonderful. It was so nice to see Rebecca show up for Kate without judgment. Kate was literally able to fall into her arms. Rebecca and Kate listened to one another and allowed themselves to be vulnerable for the first time with each other.
Must be so hard to play mad or be mean to Mandy Moore. Her face and demeanor are just so sweet and nice.
Beyond!
Will we find out more about the fate of Kate’s application to Berklee? I have a hunch that she stays home because Kevin does.
I think you’re on the right track.
This Is Us airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on NBC.
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