9.2/107,089 votes#1 - Pilot
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 9/20/2016
As their paths cross and their life stories intertwine in curious ways, we find that several of them share the same birthday and so much more than anyone would expect.
Director: Glenn Ficarra, John Requa
Writer: Dan Fogelman
8.5/104,034 votes#2 - The Big Three
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 9/27/2016
Toby helps Kate relax in the midst of her fervent quest to lose weight. Beth questions the motives of Randall's biological father, as Randall adjusts to having his dad in his life. Rebecca and Jack begin to feel distant from one another. Kevin faces the consequences of quitting his job.
Director: Ken Olin
Writer: Dan Fogelman
8.5/103,762 votes#3 - Kyle
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 10/11/2016
Rebecca makes a surprise visit to Randall's home where she encounters his biological father, William. Kevin anxiously decides to take the plunge and move to New York to pursue a Broadway job, with the expectation that his sister, Kate, will move with him. Toby is determined to get Kate out of Kevin's shadow. Jack and Rebecca take home their babies from the hospital and adjust to the new life of parenthood, while coping with the loss of their other child. Rebecca struggles to connect with their adopted child and searches for answers.
Director: Glenn Ficarra, John Requa
Writer: Dan Fogelman
8.7/103,759 votes#4 - The Pool
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 10/18/2016
Rebecca and Jack take Kevin, Kate, and Randall to the community pool on a hot day and quickly realize each child is going through their own struggles. Kevin auditions for his first Broadway play in New York and meets a determined actress who is less than impressed by him. Toby runs into his ex-wife while at a restaurant with Kate, which sends Kate into a spiral of self-doubt. William is mistakenly reported as a loiterer in Randall's predominately white neighborhood, which exposes deep-rooted issues of race.
Director: Glenn Ficarra, John Requa
Writer: Dan Fogelman, Donald Todd
8.6/103,612 votes#5 - The Game Plan
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 10/25/2016
Rebecca and Jack get into an argument about starting a family. The family backstory behind the long line of love for the Pittsburgh Steelers is revealed. After accepting his part in the play, Kevin realizes his script is relevant to his own life. Randall and Beth encounter an unexpected turn of events.
Director: George Tillman Jr.
Writer: Joe Lawson
8.4/103,098 votes#6 - Career Days
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 11/1/2016
Kate interviews for a new job that seems just about perfect, although it comes with a catch. Randall doubts his career choice and wonders if he followed the right path. Kevin and Olivia's relationship moves in a new direction. Rebecca and Jack are conflicted on what to do when Randall tests as a gifted child.
Director: Craig Zisk
Writer: Bekah Brunstetter
8.4/103,001 votes#7 - The Best Washing Machine in the World
Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 11/15/2016
The dynamic of Randall and Kevin's rocky relationship is explained. Beth and William spend time together, which unexpectedly brings to light a secret William has been keeping. As Rebecca gets back to work for the first time in years, both she and Jack acknowledge that there is distance between them. Toby is caught straying from his diet regimen, throwing Kate into crisis.
Director: Silas Howard
Writer: K.J. Steinberg
9.0/103,676 votes#8 - Pilgrim Rick
Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 11/22/2016
As Jack, Rebecca and the three kids make their way to Rebecca's parents' house for their traditional Thanksgiving holiday, an unforeseen detour occurs. Kate makes two drastic life-changing decisions. Kevin brings Olivia to Randall's house for Thanksgiving. Randall's heart is broken when he learns about a lifelong secret his mother has kept from him.
Director: Sarah Pia Anderson
Writer: Elizabeth Berger, Isaac Aptaker
8.6/103,208 votes#9 - The Trip
Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 11/29/2016
Kate, Kevin and Randall head to their family's cabin to get away after their chaotic family Thanksgiving. A very angry Randall finds comfort and explanation from his father, Jack. Olivia speaks a harsh truth to Kate, which drives a wedge between Kate and Kevin. Rebecca and Jack struggle with what to do when 9-year-old Randall tells them that he's been looking for his birth parents.
Director: Uta Briesewitz
Writer: Vera Herbert
8.9/103,410 votes#10 - Last Christmas
Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 12/6/2016
The Pearson family finds themselves at the hospital on Christmas Eve after little Kate comes down with appendicitis. When they run into Dr. Katowski, who is alone at the hospital, they realize they need to be there for him as much as he was once there for them. Presently, Kevin celebrates Hanukkah with Olivia and her family, Kate continues to pursue her big surgery and someone from William's past reappears in his life.
Director: Helen Hunt
Writer: Donald Todd
8.3/102,727 votes#11 - The Right Thing to Do
Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 1/10/2017
Kate struggles with her feelings in the aftermath of Toby's heart attack. As William begins to spend more time with Jesse, Randall has to get used to his father's new relationship. After receiving the news they're expecting triplets, Jack and Rebecca must find a way to afford a home that can accommodate three babies. Olivia unexpectedly resurfaces, throwing both Kevin and Sloane for a loop.
Director: Timothy Busfield
Writer: Aurin Squire
8.8/103,403 votes#12 - The Big Day
Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 1/17/2017
As the birth date of her triplets quickly approaches, a frazzled and emotional Rebecca forgets Jack's birthday. Dr. Katowski struggles with the loss of his wife and wonders how he'll be able to continue on with his life without her. Joe, the firefighter who delivered baby Randall to the hospital, fights to save his marriage.
Director: Ken Olin
Writer: Dan Fogelman, Laura Kenar
8.6/103,042 votes#13 - Three Sentences
Season 1 Episode 13 - Aired 1/24/2017
Jack and Rebecca get in over their heads when they decide to throw Kate, Kevin and Randall three separate parties for their 10th birthday. Randall struggles to make time for William as things intensify at the office. Kevin makes a major decision in his romantic life. Kate's gastric bypass journey takes an unexpected turn.
Director: Chris Koch
Writer: Bekah Brunstetter, Joe Lawson
8.2/102,612 votes#14 - I Call Marriage
Season 1 Episode 14 - Aired 2/7/2017
Toby throws a wrench in Kate's weight loss journey. Randall struggles to accept his father's deteriorating health. Miguel and Shelly break some devastating news to Jack and Rebecca, which makes them worry about their own relationship. Rebecca receives an amazing work opportunity. Kevin examines his romantic past.
Director: George Tillman Jr.
Writer: Kay Oyegun
8.9/103,266 votes#15 - Jack Pearson's Son
Season 1 Episode 15 - Aired 2/14/2017
As Kevin stresses about the premiere of his play, he receives support from an unexpected source. Randall struggles under the pressure of both his work and ailing father. Rebecca and Jack's Valentine's Day doesn't go as planned. Toby and Kate decide to dig deep and get to know each other's biggest secrets.
Director: Ken Olin
Writer: Elizabeth Berger, Isaac Aptaker
9.5/105,333 votes#16 - Memphis
Season 1 Episode 16 - Aired 2/21/2017
Randall and William take a road trip to Memphis, where Randall learns about his biological father's past.
Director: Glenn Ficarra, John Requa
Writer: Dan Fogelman
8.9/103,041 votes#17 - What Now?
Season 1 Episode 17 - Aired 3/7/2017
The entire Pearson family gathers at Randall's for an unusual party. Kevin and Sophie's relationship deepens on the night of his play's premiere. Kate struggles to open up to Toby about her father's death. Tensions are high between Jack and Rebecca as she leaves on tour with her band.
Director: Wendey Stanzler
Writer: Vera Herbert, K.J. Steinberg
8.6/102,835 votes#18 - Moonshadow
Season 1 Episode 18 - Aired 3/14/2017
Jack heads to Cleveland to make things right with Rebecca on the night of her first big gig with the band. Randall, Kate and Kevin make big decisions about their futures.
Director: Ken Olin
Writer: Dan Fogelman, Elizabeth Berger, Isaac Aptaker
The Best Episodes of This Is Us Season 1
Every episode of This Is Us Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of This Is Us Season 1!
Follows the lives and families of three adults living and growing up in the United States of America in present and past times. As their...
Genre:Drama
Network:NBC
Season 1 Ratings Summary
"Pilot" is the best rated episode of "This Is Us" season 1. It scored 9.2/10 based on 7089 votes. Directed by Glenn Ficarra, John Requa and written by Dan Fogelman, it aired on 9/20/2016. This episode is rated 0.7 points higher than the second-best, "The Big Three".