This Is Us: Season 2 | Episode 17 “This Big, Amazing, Beautiful Life” Review

After the partying and shenanigans in Vegas, we get introduced into the world of all things Deja. I feel this was a very special episode because it gives us a perspective on how Deja was raised and how she got to where she is now. Throughout the episode, we see many flashbacks of when Deja was first born and also when Rebecca was giving brith to the twins. I definitely saw some foreshadowing in this episode as we are shown it all comes around full circle.

Deja is first shown as a small child home alone and when her great grandmother comes home, she takes care of Deja and spends some time with her. When Deja’s mother finally arrives, her grandmother and her get into it about how she needs to be more responsible for her child. We see a few years later, that her great grandmother suffers a heart attack which ends up being a huge turning point for them. They struggle to make ends meet but Deja makes sure her mother stays on track with the bills and the house. After a small accident while trying to cook dinner, Deja cuts her hand and goes to the emergency room. This is where we see how Deja gets into the foster care system the first time. She gets put into multiple homes and even experiences some difficulties while at them.

Most recently, Deja gets to go back home with her mother when she finally is out of rehab. Deja’s mother brings home a “friend” which we end up connecting is Lonzo who is responsible for getting her mother into all of this mess. We are introduced to all of the bad influences Lonzo has put onto her mother and see all the troubles they have as a couple. I noticed that Deja does not feel comfortable around him and tries to avoid him when she can. Deja ends up getting pulled out of her drill team practice to find out her mother has been arrested and that is when we see Deja meeting The Pearson’s for the first time.

Her road with The Pearson’s was not always easy but she ends up becoming very acquainted with Randall, Beth and the girls. We know she ends up going back with her mother but we see how they get back on track with the bills. Deja’s mother confesses she used their money they saved up to pay Lonzo’s bail which explains why they were sleeping in the car and Deja asks Randall for money. This truly breaks my heart because Deja has always worked so hard to protect her mother and provide for their family and this is how she repays her?

In a very heartwarming moment, Beth and Randall offer to take in Deja and her mother. The family is so happy to have her back with them but Deja’s mother struggles to keep her feelings to herself. She expresses to Beth how she has never seen her daughter this happy and how disappointed in herself she is. She tells her that she cannot keep failing her and that she is going to leave without Deja. I was conflicted with this scene because although I felt so sad for Deja at this moment, I knew that she would be in a better place with Beth and Randall. It was so comforting to see the love and happiness their family had to offer her which is very similar to how Jack and Rebecca were with their family.

This Is Us premiers on Tuesdays at 9/8c on NBC.