TVLine turns an investigative eye toward This Is Us‘ latest flash-forward, a time jump that brings us to the morning of Kate and Phillip’s wedding.
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Image Credit: NBC Screen Shot SEASON 5, EPISODE 16: ‘ADIRONDACKS’
“Mawwage is what bwings us togedder today,” Kevin practices in the mirror at the start of the episode, and we’re led to believe that he’s going to work the classic Princess Bride line into his vows to Madison. But…
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Image Credit: NBC Screen Shot SEASON 5, EPISODE 16: ‘ADIRONDACKS’
When we return to the scene, near the end of the episode, we see that he’s made notes on a pad bearing the Big Three Homes logo… which doesn’t exist in the present timeline. Yep: We’re in a flash-forward!
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Image Credit: NBC Screen Shot SEASON 5, EPISODE 16: ‘ADIRONDACKS’
As Kevin exits the bathroom, the camera pans by his bedside table, upon which a New Yorker (we’re guessing, thanks to the font) magazine is open to a feature on Randall. The headline? “Rising Star.”
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Image Credit: NBC Screen Shot SEASON 5, EPISODE 16: ‘ADIRONDACKS’
As Kevin puts on his jacket, please note the women’s clothes — including that strategically placed bra — strewn about, indicating that he’s not flying solo at this point in time. (Eagle-eyed viewers probably also figured this out from the fleeting glimpse of a makeup bag, eyelash curler, etc. on the bathroom vanity in the previous shot.)
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Image Credit: NBC Screen Shot SEASON 5, EPISODE 16: ‘ADIRONDACKS’
He exits his room and steps into the hallway, where he bumps into a harried Nicky, trailed by Randall. Kev notes that Nicky is running behind schedule, and Nicky replies, “I know, I know. I’m supposed to be getting dressed. But the wife wanted stockings. What the hell am I supposed to do?” (Emphasis ours, because we’re so happy for him!)
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Image Credit: NBC Screen Shot SEASON 5, EPISODE 16: ‘ADIRONDACKS’
Kev approaches another door and enters to find Madison and Beth there, all dressed up. He says he’s got to get something cleared for “the toast,” which is our first indication that he wasn’t prepping vows in the bathroom.
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Image Credit: NBC Screen Shot SEASON 5, EPISODE 16: ‘ADIRONDACKS’
And when Madison tells him that it’s a strictly “no boys allowed” area…
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This-Is-Us-Flashforward-Kate-Wedding-Season-5-Episode-16-45-year-old-man
Image Credit: NBC Screen Shot SEASON 5, EPISODE 16: ‘ADIRONDACKS’
… Kevin replies that he’s not a boy, he’s a “45-year-old grown man, thank you kindly,” which places us in time: We’re four-ish years past the events of the Season 5 finale.
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Image Credit: NBC Screen Shot SEASON 5, EPISODE 16: ‘ADIRONDACKS’
More clarity arrives when Kate opens the bathroom door to reveal herself in a wedding gown, though not the one she wore when she married Toby.
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Image Credit: NBC Screen Shot SEASON 5, EPISODE 16: ‘ADIRONDACKS’
Everyone stops to kvell. And when Kevin asks if Kate is cool with him using movie quotes or impressions in his speech, she says yes: “This is the last time I’m doing this, so go crazy, brother.”
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Image Credit: NBC Screen Shot SEASON 5, EPISODE 16: ‘ADIRONDACKS’
So Kevin leaves the women and steps back into the hallway, where Phillip — whom we’ve heretofore known only as Kate’s boss at the music school — is also leaving a room.
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Image Credit: NBC Screen Shot SEASON 5, EPISODE 16: ‘ADIRONDACKS’
Kevin wonders if it’s OK if, during his speech, it’s OK for him make fun of Brits. “Hey, if you can’t take the piss out of your future brother in law,” Phillip replies, “who can you take the piss out of?” So there we have it: We are in the preparations for Kate’s second wedding, to Phillip.
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Image Credit: NBC Screen Shot SEASON 6, EPISODE 12: ‘KATOBY’
Back in the bridal suite, “You are the perfect bride, and it’s going to be the perfect day,” Beth tells her sister-in-law, who is being very “zen” about the whole event (and the possibility that things may go awry).
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Image Credit: NBC Screen Shot SEASON 6, EPISODE 12: ‘KATOBY’
Speaking of which: Kate’s phone rings, and it’s Toby.
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Image Credit: NBC Screen Shot SEASON 6, EPISODE 12: ‘KATOBY’
He congratulates her on getting married in a few hours. Then: “Kate, you know what you said to me the day we signed our divorce papers?”
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Image Credit: NBC Screen Shot SEASON 6, EPISODE 12: ‘KATOBY’
She warily responds that she does.
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Image Credit: NBC Screen Shot SEASON 6, EPISODE 12: ‘KATOBY’
“I want you to know that I see it now. I’m sorry it took me so long.” We’d also like to point out that it appears that, in this era, Toby has some young-ish children currently in his life; check out the coat on the doorknob, the blackboard in the kitchen and the photos on the hutch.
