<Li> Ron Howard as himself </Li> <Li> Susan Blakely as Anne </Li> <Table> <Tr> <Th> No . overall </Th> <Th> No. in season </Th> <Th> Title </Th> <Th> Directed by </Th> <Th> Written by </Th> <Th> Original air date </Th> <Th> Prod . code </Th> <Th> U.S. viewers (millions) </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> </Th> <Td> </Td> <Td> "Pilot" </Td> <Td> John Requa & Glenn Ficarra </Td> <Td> Dan Fogelman </Td> <Td> September 20, 2016 (2016 - 09 - 20) </Td> <Td> 1AZC01 </Td> <Td> 10.07 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> The intertitle references a Wikipedia - sourced statistic about how many people share the same birthdays . In 1980, Jack Pearson was celebrating his 36th birthday when his wife Rebecca went into labor with their triplets . In the present, personal assistant Kate celebrates her 36th birthday by recommitting to lose weight, and befriends Toby at a support group . Her brother Kevin, famous for starring on the sitcom The Manny, on his 36th birthday states his dissatisfaction with his role and abruptly quits in front of a live audience . Successful Black businessman Randall, on his 36th birthday, finds and confronts the father, William, who abandoned him at a fire station on the day he was born; Randall then invites William to his house . In 1980, Rebecca lost one of the triplets during birth . Kevin and Kate were the surviving pair; Randall--brought to the same hospital by a fireman--was their adopted brother . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> </Th> <Td> </Td> <Td> "The Big Three" </Td> <Td> Ken Olin </Td> <Td> Dan Fogelman </Td> <Td> September 27, 2016 (2016 - 09 - 27) </Td> <Td> 1AZC02 </Td> <Td> 8.75 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> Rebecca and Jack (in flashbacks) are having marital issues . In the present, Randall's wife, Beth, has suspicions about his biological father's motives . Toby and Kate start getting closer . At a party, Kevin is told he is contractually obligated to stay on his sitcom two more years . Kate and Toby dance at the party, despite people's laughter . Kevin tries to turn to Randall for advice; they are shown to have had a strained relationship since childhood . Kevin decides to leave the sitcom anyway, and do theater in New York . Rebecca is remarried to Jack's best friend, Miguel . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> </Th> <Td> </Td> <Td> "Kyle" </Td> <Td> John Requa & Glenn Ficarra </Td> <Td> Dan Fogelman </Td> <Td> October 11, 2016 (2016 - 10 - 11) </Td> <Td> 1AZC03 </Td> <Td> 9.87 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> In flashbacks, Randall's name was initially going to be Kyle . His biological father, William (nicknamed "Shakespeare"), met his birth mother on a bus ride where they bonded over poetry, but at some point they developed substance abuse problems . William is shown on the bus as he takes his newborn son to the fire station . Rebecca is not able to bond well with "Kyle", and Jack eventually admits he cannot either . Rebecca prevents William from seeing his son, but renames him Randall after William's favorite poet, Dudley Randall . In the present, Randall's daughters do not know who William really is . After Rebecca scolds him at Randall's home, he leaves--Randall then scolds him even harder . Kevin is serious about moving to New York and wants to bring Kate with him, and encourages her to showcase her singing abilities, about which she is uncomfortable . Toby makes grand gestures for Kate, but feels she gives precedence to Kevin . William's cancer is terminal . Kevin fires Kate out of love . Toby and Kate have sex . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> </Th> <Td> </Td> <Td> "The Pool" </Td> <Td> John Requa & Glenn Ficarra </Td> <Td> Dan Fogelman & Donald Todd </Td> <Td> October 18, 2016 (2016 - 10 - 18) </Td> <Td> 1AZC04 </Td> <Td> 9.71 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> In flashbacks, the Pearsons go to the pool, but have setbacks: Kevin almost drowns while his parents attend to Randall and Kate; Kate is ostracized for being overweight by her classmates; and while Randall befriends other Black children, Rebecca takes it especially hard when one mother suggests some grooming tips for her Black son . In the present, while Kevin is determined to land a serious role on Broadway, even his nieces will not let him forget The Manny . William is wrongly accused of loitering in Randall's affluent neighborhood and is annoyed when Randall does not defend him . Toby runs into his ex-wife while on a date with Kate . Kevin does poorly in his audition, but Olivia, his Tony - nominated scene partner, begrudgingly tells him he got the role because of his fame from The Manny . In a flashback, Kevin is shown to have been insecure since childhood, which may have led him to acting . Kate gets a job from Toby's ex-wife, Josie, who Toby warns is not the angel she seems to be; in fact, her affairs led to his weight gain and caused him to contemplate suicide . Kevin temporarily moves in with Randall . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 5 </Th> <Td> 5 </Td> <Td> "The Game Plan" </Td> <Td> George Tillman </Td> <Td> Joe Lawson </Td> <Td> October 25, 2016 (2016 - 10 - 25) </Td> <Td> 1AZC05 </Td> <Td> 8.68 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> In flashbacks, the Pittsburgh Steelers are winning Super Bowl XIV, but Jack and Rebecca are fighting about not having children . Jack punches a guy who tells him to have his wife be quiet . Kevin and Kate are conceived that night . Miguel and his wife are present at the time . Beth Pearson believes she may be pregnant again, but it turns out she is not . In the present, William reveals to Kevin he is a big fan of The Manny, and helps Kevin realize he should stop doubting himself . Kevin believes he moved to New York out of fear and uses the play to teach a life lesson to his nieces; he also has a penchant for painting like Jackson Pollock . Kate acts weird about watching a Steelers game and has to tell Toby why football games are personal for her . It is then confirmed that Jack died at some point . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 6 </Th> <Td> 6 </Td> <Td> "Career Days" </Td> <Td> Craig Zisk </Td> <Td> Bekah Brunstetter </Td> <Td> November 1, 2016 (2016 - 11 - 01) </Td> <Td> 1AZC06 </Td> <Td> 8.48 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> Randall trades commodities for businesses based on weather futures, a job no one seems to understand, and he tries unsuccessfully to explain that on Career Day . Flashbacks reveal that Randall has been extraordinarily intelligent since he was a child, which got him transferred to an elite private school . Kate starts a new job as a personal assistant for Marin (Jami Gertz) and has to deal with Marin's bratty overweight teenage daughter, Jemma, who is sure her mother hired Kate over the other candidates as a way to get through to her . Kate reveals she no longer talks to her mom, Rebecca . Olivia has unorthodox methods of teaching Kevin how to deal with grief . Randall decides he wants to take piano lessons, but not from William . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 7 </Th> <Td> 7 </Td> <Td> "The Best Washing Machine in the World" </Td> <Td> Silas Howard </Td> <Td> K.J. Steinberg </Td> <Td> November 15, 2016 (2016 - 11 - 15) </Td> <Td> 1AZC07 </Td> <Td> 9.50 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> In flashbacks, teenage Kevin and Randall are bickering harder than ever . Kevin moves out of their room and into the basement and wants Randall to stay away . Tensions surface at a football game, where the two (on opposing teams) get in a fight . In the present, Kevin and Randall go out to dinner by themselves when Rebecca and Miguel have to cancel . It appears Kevin purposely sat them at a large table with other people so that they would not have to be alone, but he abruptly leaves when he finds out Randall has never actually seen The Manny . Randall and Kevin fight on the street, but Kevin tells onlookers they are brothers . Kate is trying hard to lose weight, but with disappointing results; meanwhile, Toby is hitting his weight - loss goals without trying and wants to abandon the diet altogether . Beth and William eat marijuana brownies together and he accidentally reveals to her that he has known Rebecca since Randall was a baby . Ironically, Beth moves Kevin's stuff to the basement . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 8 </Th> <Td> 8 </Td> <Td> "Pilgrim Rick" </Td> <Td> Sarah Pia Anderson </Td> <Td> Isaac Aptaker & Elizabeth Berger </Td> <Td> November 22, 2016 (2016 - 11 - 22) </Td> <Td> 1AZC08 </Td> <Td> 9.00 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> In the past, the Pearsons are going on a six - hour road trip to Rebecca's parents' house for Thanksgiving, but they get into a car accident and abandon the dinner completely, staying at a motel . Present - day Kate takes a break from Toby before Thanksgiving, saying she needs to get a handle on her weight and her life . Kevin invites Olivia to come celebrate Thanksgiving at Randall's house . Beth gives Rebecca an ultimatum, since she had already had 36 years to tell Randall the truth, but he finds out before Rebecca can tell him . William advises Olivia to be kinder to Kevin while she has the chance . Kevin allows Miguel to participate in a Pearson Thanksgiving tradition . After a disastrous flight, Kate announces a life - changing decision . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 9 </Th> <Td> 9 </Td> <Td> "The Trip" </Td> <Td> Uta Briesewitz </Td> <Td> Vera Herbert </Td> <Td> November 29, 2016 (2016 - 11 - 29) </Td> <Td> 1AZC09 </Td> <Td> 10.53 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> Randall is unbearably devastated by his mother's lies and betrayal . He, Kate, and Kevin make a trip to their family cabin; Olivia tags along with two uninvited guests: Asher, her ex-boyfriend, and Sloane, her playwright . Olivia makes a rude comment to Kate, driving a wedge between the twins . In flashbacks, child Randall thinks he can find his birth parents by the genetic trait of tongue rolling . Rebecca never tells Jack that she knows about Randall's parents . Adult Randall inadvertently ingests a hallucinogen, and has a vision of Jack at the cabin . Though "Vision Jack" is shocked Rebecca lied, he tells Randall to understand his mother's point of view . Kate still wants to be friends with Toby, but he would rather not . Kevin does not like how Olivia and Asher are behaving and kicks them out, ending his relationship with her . He later ends up sleeping with Sloane . Randall tells his mother he will not speak to her again until Christmas . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 10 </Th> <Td> 10 </Td> <Td> "Last Christmas" </Td> <Td> Helen Hunt </Td> <Td> Donald Todd </Td> <Td> December 6, 2016 (2016 - 12 - 06) </Td> <Td> 1AZC10 </Td> <Td> 10.95 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> When young Kate develops appendicitis on Christmas Eve, the Pearsons take her to the hospital . There, they run into Dr. K and realize he needs their support after a potentially fatal car crash . In the present, after Olivia abandons the play, Kevin convinces Sloane to take her role . He also celebrates Hanukkah with Sloane's family, and she joins him at Randall's Christmas Eve party . Kate consults a doctor with her mother about the life - changing surgery she wants to have . Randall talks his co-worker out of a suicide attempt . William is revealed to be bisexual . Toby comes to Randall's house to surprise Kate and they get back together, but he later collapses and is sent to the OR . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 11 </Th> <Td> 11 </Td> <Td> "The Right Thing to Do" </Td> <Td> Timothy Busfield </Td> <Td> Aurin Squire </Td> <Td> January 10, 2017 (2017 - 01 - 10) </Td> <Td> 1AZC11 </Td> <Td> 10.48 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> The cause of Toby's collapse was diagnosed as cardiac arrhythmia, not a heart attack . Jack and Rebecca (in flashbacks) look for a house to fit their growing family, but do not expect to be having triplets . Randall feels William's time spent with Jesse is taking precious moments away from their family, but is assured it is only to spare everyone eventual pain . William decides to stop his chemotherapy treatments . Kevin and Sloane are doing well--until Olivia returns . Jack (in flashbacks) asks his estranged abusive father for money and buys a house . Kate and Toby discuss marriage . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 12 </Th> <Td> 12 </Td> <Td> "The Big Day" </Td> <Td> Ken Olin </Td> <Td> Dan Fogelman & Laura Kenar </Td> <Td> January 17, 2017 (2017 - 01 - 17) </Td> <Td> 1AZC12 </Td> <Td> 9.59 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> The episode takes place in the lead - up to the triplets' birth . Rebecca has a mental breakdown and forgets that it is Jack's birthday . Miguel tries to encourage Jack to celebrate one more birthday before he becomes a father by taking him golfing . Dr. K struggles to accept the death of his wife, who died over a year earlier, including refusing to dispose of her belongings and declining an offer for dinner at a widow's house . Fireman Joe is struggling with his marriage and he asks a priest for a miracle . William drops Randall off as a newborn at the firehouse . Joe decides to take it first to his wife, who refuses to look after him even though they could not conceive . Joe takes the baby to the hospital and Jack decides to adopt him following the death of one of the triplets . The next day, Dr. K decides to throw away his wife's belongings and eat dinner at his friend's house . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 13 </Th> <Td> 13 </Td> <Td> "Three Sentences" </Td> <Td> Chris Koch </Td> <Td> Joe Lawson & Bekah Brunstetter </Td> <Td> January 24, 2017 (2017 - 01 - 24) </Td> <Td> 1AZC13 </Td> <Td> 9.63 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> When the triplets' tenth birthday is approaching, instead of keeping the family tradition of celebrating the day as one, Kevin and Kate encourage their parents to throw them separate parties . At the birthday party, Randall only has a handful of classmates show up, while Kevin and Kate have full parties . When Kate's best friend Sophie arrives, she and Kate's entire party merge into Kevin's party, leaving Kate alone and Jack trying to comfort her . In the present day, Randall is trying to bid for a project in Calgary, but is interrupted by William, who recently stopped chemotherapy treatments and is now energetic . Kate's doctor encourages her to attend a camp instead of having weight loss surgery . After Kevin breaks up with Sloane and Toby drops Kate off at the camp, the two go to a bar together . Following Toby's advice to pursue the woman he really loves, Kevin tries to reconcile with Sophie, Kate's best friend from long ago and his childhood love and ex-wife . A mysterious worker at the camp tries to talk to Kate, who is now engaged to Toby, and tries to seduce her . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 14 </Th> <Td> 14 </Td> <Td> "I Call Marriage" </Td> <Td> George Tillman Jr . </Td> <Td> Kay Oyegun </Td> <Td> February 7, 2017 (2017 - 02 - 07) </Td> <Td> 1AZC14 </Td> <Td> 9.57 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> The time is shown when Miguel and Shelly get divorced and, fearing their marriage will have the same fate, Jack tries to bring excitement to his and Rebecca's relationship . In the present, Kevin tries to reconcile with his ex-wife Sophie . Toby surprises Kate at the camp she is attending and is met with unkindness . Stress mounts and Randall cannot cope . Randall misses a business meeting he planned, fully knowing his daughter's chess tournament was on the same night, when Beth insists that family come first . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 15 </Th> <Td> 15 </Td> <Td> "Jack Pearson's Son" </Td> <Td> Ken Olin </Td> <Td> Isaac Aptaker & Elizabeth Berger </Td> <Td> February 14, 2017 (2017 - 02 - 14) </Td> <Td> 1AZC15 </Td> <Td> 9.03 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> Kate gets kicked out of fat camp and apologizes to Toby . They begin asking questions about each others' lives to strengthen their relationship, though Kate cannot yet answer when asked about how her father died . In the past, Rebecca wants to go on tour with her band but, after finding out that she once dated a member of the band, Jack tells her he does not want her to go . They have a fight and Jack has his first drink in years . Present - day Kevin is about to open his play when Randall calls him and is distressed . Kevin has a flashback to when Randall used to have nervous breakdowns over self - inflicted pressure . Kevin leaves the theater to find and comfort him . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 16 </Th> <Td> 16 </Td> <Td> "Memphis" </Td> <Td> John Requa & Glenn Ficarra </Td> <Td> Dan Fogelman </Td> <Td> February 21, 2017 (2017 - 02 - 21) </Td> <Td> 1AZC16 </Td> <Td> 9.35 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> Randall drives William to Memphis, his hometown . Intermittently, William's relationship with his mother while growing up is shown, including when she leaves him as a young adult to take care of relatives in Pittsburgh . William is, at the time, playing in a cover band at his cousin's club . He learns his mother is sick and decides to move to Pittsburgh, where she dies . In the present day, William returns to his old home, then takes Randall to his cousin's club . Although his cousin is still angry at him for not returning to the band, he forgives him and lets him play . The next morning, William is barely conscious in his bed and transported to the hospital, where doctors tell Randall that he has hours to live . Randall calls William "Dad" for the first and last time, then uses Jack's calming technique to help ease William's fear of dying . William dies with Randall by his side . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 17 </Th> <Td> 17 </Td> <Td> "What Now?" </Td> <Td> Wendey Stanzler </Td> <Td> K.J. Steinberg & Vera Herbert </Td> <Td> March 7, 2017 (2017 - 03 - 07) </Td> <Td> 1AZC17 </Td> <Td> 11.15 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> In flashbacks, Rebecca leaves for her tour . Kate encourages Jack to attend Rebecca's first show; after rejecting a colleague's advances at a happy hour, he sets out driving to the show despite having been drinking . In the present, per William's wishes, Tess and Annie plan a celebration of his life, while Beth feels left out; Randall asks her to toast William and she receives a loving postcard William sent from Memphis . Rebecca admits that she kept William a secret because she feared losing Randall; Randall acknowledges that he and William had the time they needed, and he and Rebecca reaffirm their love . Kevin's play premieres and the family loves it, though an important critic fails to attend . Randall quits his job over his firm's apparent disrespect and lack of appreciation, admitting he doesn't have a plan . Kevin and Sophie consummate their relationship and Ron Howard offers Kevin a film role after having seen the play . Kate struggles to tell Toby about Jack's death, saying she is responsible for it . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 18 </Th> <Td> 18 </Td> <Td> "Moonshadow" </Td> <Td> Ken Olin </Td> <Td> Dan Fogelman & Isaac Aptaker & Elizabeth Berger </Td> <Td> March 14, 2017 (2017 - 03 - 14) </Td> <Td> 1AZC18 </Td> <Td> 12.84 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> In 1972, Jack and Rebecca are set up on blind dates . Jack and a friend take Jack's life savings to a poker match and win big on the first game, but are then robbed by the host's enforcers . Rebecca, fighting disillusionment over failed efforts to start a singing career, leaves her blind date early to sing at an open mic night . Jack skips his date, planning to rob the bar that hosted the poker match, but is distracted by Rebecca's singing . c. 1997, Jack drives drunk to Cleveland to see Rebecca's show, where her ex-boyfriend Ben tries to kiss her . Jack finds out and punches him, prompting Rebecca to drive Jack home; they fight; Jack apologizes and decides to stay at Miguel's . In the present, Kate and Toby return to Los Angeles; she looks at a photo of Rebecca and decides to pursue singing . Sophie sees Kevin off for a meeting with Ron Howard . Randall looks through a photo album of his childhood and tells Beth that he wants to adopt a baby . </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Th> No . overall </Th> <Th> No. in season </Th> <Th> Title </Th> <Th> Directed by </Th> <Th> Written by </Th> <Th> Original air date </Th> <Th> Prod . code </Th> <Th> U.S. viewers (millions) </Th> </Tr>

This is us recap season 1 episode 14
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