[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for Season 6, Episode 15 of This Is Us, “Miguel.”]
This Is Us is lastly shining a highlight on Jon Huertas‘ Miguel within the aptly titled episode “Miguel” and it’s filling in some blanks on the character that’s managed to seize viewers’ hearts over the seasons.
Whereas the episode is shared out of chronological order, we’re breaking down Miguel’s story from starting to finish within the recap, beneath. Watch out for spoilers forward because the episode tackles a variety of time from Miguel’s youth to his outdated age.
Coming to America
Miguel’s story begins in Puerto Rico the place he loves taking part in baseball and idolizes Roberto Clemente, however the days of youth are short-lived when his mother and father expertise struggles with cash and joblessness. As Miguel’s father lament being laid off from his job, he explains to his spouse that there’s at all times the choice of shifting to the States and getting a job there.
(Credit score: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)
When Miguel’s mom asks if they’ll take her sister who’s in a wheelchair completely and he says they’ll, she agrees that it’s the most suitable choice. So, when Miguel will get residence, his father informs him that they’ll be shifting to Pennsylvania and makes an attempt to cheer him with the concept he’ll get to see Roberto Clemente play with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
In Pennsylvania, although, work and life are exhausting for Miguel’s dad who does landscaping. Whereas accompanying his dad on a job, Miguel asks to make use of a toilet and is instructed by his dad that he can use the shopper’s lavatory proper contained in the door. In fact, the curious child wanders past the boundaries and is lured in by a baseball sport on the TV the place the home-owner is having fun with the sporting occasion.
When Miguel realizes he’s been caught, he apologizes for strolling in on the person who invitations him to take a seat. The outdated man then says Miguel ought to ask his dad to attend a sport, and Miguel mentions wanting to only watch a sport. The person tells him it’s the place you see the sport that issues most. Taking this recommendation to coronary heart, Miguel begins working more durable to be taught English by listening to music on the radio.
(Credit score: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)
The Rise & Fall of Younger Miguel
In one other time interval, a extra grown-up Miguel known as right into a job interview below the title Mike Rivers. When he sits down, the potential employer asks if he speaks Spanish and Miguel admits that he does. This pleases the employer who asks when Miguel can begin, to which he responds as quickly as potential. Earlier than exiting the person’s workplace, he admits that his title is Miguel Rivas, however that he hadn’t gotten a callback below that title.
Regardless of the hiring hiccup, Miguel enjoys the perks of his new job which his household takes observe of when he visits for Christmas. When Miguel’s mother asks about his hair, Miguel says he doesn’t need to appear to be he got here in from Puerto Rico yesterday. The remark units a tone as he sits together with his mother and father and mentions wanting to assist his mom pay for look after her sister who remains to be dwelling with the household. They gained’t settle for his cash and it’s clear that his father isn’t happy together with his flashy life.
Miguel argues that his father moved them to the States and he’s solely embracing what life within the States has to supply. Miguel asks his father why he resents the truth that he’s embracing it. The person doesn’t have a solution. When he leaves their home he heads to the bar to fulfill up with Jack (Milo Ventimiglia) and greets some buddies when he walks within the door. As he walks to the again of the bar, he’s stunned to search out Rebecca (Mandy Moore) has accompanied Jack there and complains that she doesn’t like him.
(Credit score: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)
Taking this as a chance to construct a bond between his finest good friend and girlfriend, Jack tells Miguel he’s gonna check out his new automobile and forces Miguel and Rebecca to speak. As they make small speak, Rebecca asks why Miguel greets folks by their names the entire time, and he says it’s a enterprise trick, however she argues he doesn’t should do it the entire time. This alternate breaks the ice a little bit because the pair snort over the matter.
This bar meet-up then flows into future bar meet-ups, together with the night time that Miguel meets his first spouse, Shelly (Wynn Everett). What follows is a fast-forward by way of Miguel’s household life with Shelly by way of blissful instances and tough instances. However the challenges turn out to be too large to steadiness as work takes precedence over household and so they break issues off. A quick fast-forward in time takes viewers to the purpose in Miguel’s life when he’s moved to Texas to be nearer to his household, however his children gained’t even return calls to attend sporting occasions with him.
Sooner or later, he receives a name from his mother who tells him that his father has died. When Miguel returns residence, he’s greeted by household and he checks in together with his mother who continues to look after her sister who’s now a lot older. She tells Miguel that his father died pleased with him, however Miguel nonetheless needs he had extra time.
(Credit score: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)
As they speak extra, Miguel says he can’t perceive how she’s in a position to look after her sister nonetheless. Miguel’s mom then reveals that she used to hate her sister rising up, however when she had a stroke at 24, she felt responsible for having felt that manner. Miguel mentions how she’s ended up with a thankless job, and he or she admonishes him for considering such a factor. As Miguel admits he’s been having a tough time, his mom guarantees he’ll discover love once more.
It doesn’t take lengthy for Miguel who finds Rebecca’s profile on Fb and sends her a message. Their conversations are fairly tame at first as they discuss their lives and tease one another in regards to the newest host of Who Desires to Be a Millionaire, which was their favourite present to observe collectively up to now. Finally, their conversations flip into cellphone calls the place they discuss planning to see one another, and Miguel asks about her relationship life, with Rebecca admitting that issues fizzled with “boring Matt.”
When Miguel reveals he’ll be on the town and asks to fulfill Rebecca for dinner, they deal with the elephant within the room shortly after sitting down on the desk. Miguel tells Rebecca he’s been questioning if he made a mistake leaving all these years in the past to dwell in Texas and admits that he’s by no means felt at residence wherever as he’s at all times been torn between the States and Puerto Rico, household and work.
(Credit score: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)
Miguel reveals that he’s by no means been homesick till he left Rebecca on that porch and he or she wastes no time in getting up from her seat to take a seat subsequent to him and plant a kiss on his mouth. From there, the pair are inseparable as he travels consistently to spend time together with her. Miguel additionally discusses retiring in Pennsylvania to be near Rebecca. Then he brings up Jack, asking what he would consider them being collectively. Rebecca admits that she thinks Jack could be blissful that they’ve discovered one another and are blissful.
Lastly, it’s time for his or her first Thanksgiving collectively as a pair, and whereas they intend to interrupt the information about their relationship to the Large 3 throughout dinner, the plan is ruined once they come busting by way of the doorways of the Pearson household cabin, catching Rebecca and Miguel in an embrace. Whereas Kate (Chrissy Metz) and Randall (Sterling Okay. Brown) are shocked, Kevin (Justin Hartley) is offended and Beth (Susan Kelechi Watson) is overjoyed.
Miguel tells them that he loves Rebecca and that they’re collectively and whereas it would take time to regulate to the concept, they’re not going to cease seeing one another. Soundbites from Rebecca and Miguel’s vows are then sprinkled into the present as they settle into their lives collectively.
(Credit score: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)
Starting of the Finish
Within the present’s near-future timeline set within the days following Kate’s marriage ceremony to Philip (Chris Geere), Miguel wakes up within the completed Pearson household cabin at 5 within the morning to make espresso and arrange Rebecca’s tablets for the day. It’s clear that that is his morning routine. In the meantime, a go to to the physician reveals that he must get his blood strain down greater than it’s already and is instructed to get extra relaxation, however that’s simpler mentioned than achieved.
On the home, Miguel sits and waits within the chair by Rebecca’s mattress so she will be able to see him when she wakes up. Serving to her stand up off the bed, Miguel administers Rebecca her tablets and does workouts together with her to maintain her energy up and it’s clear that the each day routine is taking a slight toll as he has brief conversations with the Large 3 who name to examine in on their mom periodically.
Miguel has a dream the place he’s again within the discipline he used to play baseball in as a child the place he’s taking part in catch between his father and the outdated man that taught him to hunt one of the best spots to observe video games. Waking from the dream, Miguel discovers that Rebecca’s lacking from mattress and he finds her dancing within the snow outdoors, confused. Bringing a coat to her, Miguel tries getting her to come back inside and slips on the ice.
(Credit score: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)
It’s clear that the autumn damage him as he will get up and shuffles into the home with Rebecca, sitting her on the sofa and him laying his head on her lap the place he falls asleep. When the Large 3 go to for Thanksgiving, Miguel is sore from the autumn however claims he should have slept incorrect. Kevin realizes he was mendacity when he walks previous Miguel’s bed room to see the person a large bruise on his again.
When the Large 3 inquire about Miguel’s again ache to the nurse, she tells them about Miguel’s fall. The youngsters take this as an indication to improve Rebecca’s in-home care and lighten Miguel’s load, however he doesn’t need that. He argues that Rebecca doesn’t reply properly to strangers however the Large 3 argue that they’re doing this for him in order that he can have much less stress in his life as they actually love him.
Miguel concedes to their calls for and a go to to the physician reveals continued well being decline for Miguel because the supplier orders a stress check to examine on his coronary heart. Following this appointment, Miguel is joined by Kevin in his morning routine with Rebecca. Noticing Miguel’s decline, Kevin visits his son Andy (William Rubio) to tell him that Miguel’s time is proscribed. At first, Andy is impolite however heeds Kevin’s recommendation to take advantage of his time with Miguel earlier than he’s gone.
Scenes from their subsequent household Christmas reveal that the Large 3 and Miguel’s youngsters take part on the celebration as a blended household unit. The household continues on because the seasons go and the following scene outdoors the cabin reveals the household spreading Miguel’s ashes. Kevin and Andy journey to Puerto Rico to unfold a few of Miguel’s remaining ashes on the sector the place he used to play ball, in a full-circle second.
The episode concludes with a second between Rebecca and Miguel on the night time that Jack pressured them to be buddies. When she asks who he’s Miguel solutions in Spanish. He explains that he mentioned, “I don’t know, however that’s an excellent query, ask me later.” And now viewers know precisely who Miguel Rivas was, previous, current, and future.
This Is Us, Season 6, Tuesdays, 9/8c, NBC
