This Is Us: Season 3 | Episode 4 “Vietnam” Review

This episode was solely based on all things Jack. We see his time during the War and how he got to enlist. We also get a glimpse of what life was like with his brother and his parents. It was always known Jack had a rough childhood but this really dug deeper into how Jack became the man he was to Rebecca and the kids.

Something I really enjoying watching this episode was the relationship between Jack and his brother Nicky. Jack always made sure since they were little to take care of him. Throughout all the years his father was abusive, Jack stood up for his family against his father. When Nicky was little and thought he would get made fun of for having glasses and being nerdy, Jack reassured him that he was the “tough guy in disguise, Clark Kent.” Nicky signs the letter saying goodbye to Jack from “CK” which I thought was really sweet.

Another key point of this episode was before Nicky was born and seeing what things were like before Jack’s father started drinking. Jack and father are waiting in the room while his mother is delivering the baby. We meet Jack’s grandfather who oddly shares very similar characteristics to Mr. Pearson. His words and actions are all too familiar to what we have seen between Jack and his father. We also find out that Jack’s dad wasn’t always a drinker so I’m curious to know when this all started or why?

The closing scene of this episode is Jack back in Vietnam finally finding his brother and Nicky looks like he is in a very dark place.

Don’t miss This Is Us on NBC Tuesdays at 9/8c!