'This Is Us' Recap: Season 5, Episode 11 — 'Both Things Can Be True' - TVLine

This week’s episode isn’t as much a showcase for Jack’s best friend as it is a reminder that he in no way was waiting for Jack to kick it just so he could swoop in and romance a grieving Rebecca?

Instead, he’s a decent guy who helped ease the huge tension between young Pearson and Rebecca’s dad on the day Rebecca and Jack got engaged.

(PART I) | In a flashback, Jack prepares to ask Rebecca to marry him.

Of course, that’s the moment that Rebecca’s dad shows up to tell Jack, in person, that while he won’t give his blessing to the marriage, he’ll do his best to be civil.

Jack is prepared to accept that, but Miguel isn’t?

“That’s not good enough,” he says, going into a speech about what a great guy Jack is and how much he has done to make himself a better partner for Rebecca.

What he really wants to do is snipe at Miguel about how he stole Rebecca after Jack’s death.

For the second time in this episode, Miguel will not engage with nonsense.

He points out that he and Rebecca married 13 years after Jack’s death.

Later, Nicky calls to apologize, and Miguel makes something clear: “He never replaced you, Nicky.” He adds that Jack asked him to stand up at his wedding, but”he couldn’t call me his best man, because I think that somewhere deep down, he was saving that place for you.” You guys, I think these two are going to turn out to be friends.

Still,  Randall happily agrees to be Kevin’s best man, but isn’t ready to have THE TALK that they put off the night the babies were born.

When Beth tries to smooth things with Tess later, Tess twists the knife in the way that only teens can do?

“It makes me sad.” And when Beth insists that they’re still close and things aren’t dire, Tess says, “OK, Mom,” in that “OK, Boomer” way that is equally infuriating and gutting.