This week’s recap of This Is Us provides a much-needed update on the Pearson family. The last episode was like a brief hiatus to focus on Jack (Milo Ventimiglia). But the new chapter on Feb. 1 finally addresses highly anticipated storylines for Rebecca (Mandy Moore), Kate (Chrissy Metz), Kevin (Justin Hartley), and Deja (Lyric Ross). So let’s get into what happened. Here’s our recap for This Is Us Season 6 Episode 5, “Heart and Soul.”
[Warning: This article contains spoilers from This Is Us Season 6 Episode 5, “Heart and Soul,” which originally aired on Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022.]
This Is Us Season 6 Episode 5, “Heart and Soul,” doesn’t exactly give fans the Rebecca and Miguel (Jon Huertas) backstory they were expecting. However, it looks like it’s just the beginning.
At the start of the new Feb. 1 episode, teen Kate (Hannah Zeile) calls out Miguel and Rebecca for being boring. So Miguel tells his friend they should go speed dating. Rebecca is hesitant at first, and she eventually decides to go. It’s time to move on after Jack’s death. But it’s a bit of a disaster – at first.
As Rebecca meets her potential suitors, she keeps mentioning Jack and the details of his death. The Pearson matriarch only seems comfortable with Miguel, and they promise each other they’ll leave if speed dating doesn’t work out. But then Rebecca meets Matt Dickson (Matt Corboy), who previously asked her out on a date in season 3 episode 14. They hit it off, leave early, and go out for coffee together.
Rebecca and Kate’s stories in This Is Us Season 6 Episode 5 are tied in the past and present timelines. Following Rebecca’s date with Matt, teen Kate has a huge argument with her mom. She doesn’t understand why Rebecca wants to start dating after Jack’s death. Kate even calls the Pearson matriarch a “slut” before Rebecca shuts the whole thing down by slapping her daughter in the face.
Later, Rebecca calls Miguel and reveals how difficult it’s been trying to move on from Jack, commenting on the “unbearable” grief she feels. Kate overhears her mother’s sobs, and the two make up while playing “Heart and Soul” on the piano together.
Meanwhile, adult Kate and Rebecca face a different challenge in the present timeline. Kate is still having a difficult time with Toby (Chris Sullivan) because of his work in San Francisco. So Rebecca offers to take care of baby Jack and Hailey. But Kate brings her mom to her school instead.
At school, Kate calls Toby, and she is afraid of rocking the boat because it took her so long to get to a good place with her mom. But eventually, Kate tells Rebecca they don’t feel comfortable with her watching the kids alone because her Alzheimer’s disease is worsening. Rebecca doesn’t take the news well, and she leaves.
Nevertheless, Kate and Rebecca are able to mend their relationship quickly. Then Kate asks her mom to teach baby Jack piano, and the Pearson matriarch plays “Heart and Soul” with her grandson.
As expected, Deja and Malik (Asante Blackk) drop a major bombshell on Beth (Susan Kelechi Watson) and Randall (Sterling K. Brown) in Episode 5 of This Is Us Season 6. At the start of the new episode, Beth tells Randall Malik wants to make the family dinner, and the two play Worst Case Scenario. They speculate that Deja is pregnant, married, and even engaged. But they don’t see what’s actually coming.
Later, Tess (Eris Baker) and Annie (Faithe Herman) are very nice to Beth and Randall at dinner. But Beth quickly sees through everything, pointing out that Annie and Tess are covering for Deja and Malik. Then the two lovebirds finally share what’s on their mind.
Deja, who is a junior in high school, wants to graduate early and move to Boston with Malik. Randall is furious, and he walks out. Then later, Malik talks to Randall alone. The city councilman tells Malik to break up with Deja to do what is best for her. But in response, Malik simply tells Randall he won’t tell Deja about the conversation because he knows it would only make things worse.
Meanwhile, it’s clear that Randall and Beth disagree when it comes to Deja and Malik’s situation. Beth thinks they’ll lose Deja if they try to stay firm like Randall wants. Now, can Beth and Randall come to a compromise? Tensions are rising. So we’ll see how this one unfolds in the coming weeks.
Things get a little less complicated for Kevin in This Is Us Season 6 Episode 5. Kevin brings the twins to Madison’s (Caitlin Thompson) house before his trip to Pennsylvania, and the two gush over their babies. Then suddenly, Elijah (Adam Korson) comes out of Madison’s bedroom, and it gets a little awkward.
It’s clear that Elijah is becoming an important figure in Madison’s life. The two have been spending a lot of time together, and Elijah even asks to exchange phone numbers with Kevin.
Meanwhile, Kevin calls Cassidy (Jennifer Morrison), who reveals she divorced her husband. She says her son and ex-husband are away for a few days, and she is at her lowest point. Then Kevin invites Cassidy to the cabin along with Nicky (Griffin Dunne) and his new girlfriend, Edie (Vanessa Bell Calloway). Cassidy and Kevin also say that they’re both open to sex.
Following the conversation, Kevin calls Randall, who warns his brother “not to propose,” considering how he gets when it comes to love. But Kevin doesn’t seem to listen. At dinner, Kevin and Cassidy see how much Edie and Nicky love each other. Then later, Kevin seems inspired by his uncle and tries to hold Cassidy’s hand while they get ice cream together. However, it’s clearly the wrong move.
Cassidy tells Kevin that sex is on the table, not a future romance. She also reminds him that her son lives in Pennsylvania while his twins live in LA. Cassidy also hints that Kevin has the “wrong blonde in the wrong city.” But does this mean he belongs with Madison or even Sophie (Alexandra Breckenridge)? Kevin doesn’t even know – and that’s a problem.
Nevertheless, Cassidy ends things with Kevin, revealing he’s a “handsome wrecking ball,” and she’s too messed up for him. She asks him to leave her in peace and to be cautious about wrecking things with Elijah and Madison. So Kevin sends another “You up?” text. But this time, it’s to Eli.
Over a phone call, Kevin and Elijah gush over the twins before the actor gives Madison’s boyfriend some advice. It’s so simple that Elijah points out that Kevin reached out just to tell him that. So what does this mean for Kevin and Madison? It’s clear he cares about her. We’ll see where this story leads when This Is Us Season 6 Episode 6 airs on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022.