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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!

Binge this in 12h 54m•Peaking at 9.5/10

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 paths cross and their life stories intertwine in curious ways,

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    This Is Us Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    9.1/10(8646 votes)

    #1 - Pilot

    S1:E1

    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.

    Directors:Glenn Ficarra, John Requa
    Writer:Dan Fogelman

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  2. This Is Us Season 1 Episode 2 - The Big Three
    8.5/10(4222 votes)

    #2 - The Big Three

    S1:E2

    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

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  3. This Is Us Season 1 Episode 3 - Kyle
    8.5/10(3934 votes)

    #3 - Kyle

    S1:E3

    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.

    Directors:Glenn Ficarra, John Requa
    Writer:Dan Fogelman

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  4. This Is Us Season 1 Episode 4 - The Pool
    8.7/10(3930 votes)

    #4 - The Pool

    S1:E4

    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.

    Directors:Glenn Ficarra, John Requa
    Writers:Dan Fogelman, Donald Todd

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  5. This Is Us Season 1 Episode 5 - The Game Plan
    8.6/10(3777 votes)

    #5 - The Game Plan

    S1:E5

    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

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  6. This Is Us Season 1 Episode 6 - Career Days
    8.4/10(3247 votes)

    #6 - Career Days

    S1:E6

    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

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  7. This Is Us Season 1 Episode 7 - The Best Washing Machine in the World
    8.4/10(3136 votes)

    #7 - The Best Washing Machine in the World

    S1:E7

    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

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  8. This Is Us Season 1 Episode 8 - Pilgrim Rick
    9.0/10(3842 votes)

    #8 - Pilgrim Rick

    S1:E8

    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
    Writers:Elizabeth Berger, Isaac Aptaker

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  9. This Is Us Season 1 Episode 9 - The Trip
    8.6/10(3346 votes)

    #9 - The Trip

    S1:E9

    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

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  10. This Is Us Season 1 Episode 10 - Last Christmas
    8.9/10(3553 votes)

    #10 - Last Christmas

    S1:E10

    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

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  11. This Is Us Season 1 Episode 11 - The Right Thing to Do
    8.3/10(2856 votes)

    #11 - The Right Thing to Do

    S1:E11

    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

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  12. This Is Us Season 1 Episode 12 - The Big Day
    8.8/10(3540 votes)

    #12 - The Big Day

    S1:E12

    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
    Writers:Dan Fogelman, Laura Kenar

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  13. This Is Us Season 1 Episode 13 - Three Sentences
    8.6/10(3163 votes)

    #13 - Three Sentences

    S1:E13

    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
    Writers:Bekah Brunstetter, Joe Lawson

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  14. This Is Us Season 1 Episode 14 - I Call Marriage
    8.2/10(2734 votes)

    #14 - I Call Marriage

    S1:E14

    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

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  15. This Is Us Season 1 Episode 15 - Jack Pearson's Son
    8.9/10(3395 votes)

    #15 - Jack Pearson's Son

    S1:E15

    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
    Writers:Elizabeth Berger, Isaac Aptaker

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  16. This Is Us Season 1 Episode 16 - Memphis
    9.5/10(5559 votes)

    #16 - Memphis

    S1:E16

    Randall and William take a road trip to Memphis, where Randall learns about his biological father's past.

    Directors:Glenn Ficarra, John Requa
    Writer:Dan Fogelman

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  17. This Is Us Season 1 Episode 17 - What Now?
    8.9/10(3169 votes)

    #17 - What Now?

    S1:E17

    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
    Writers:Vera Herbert, K.J. Steinberg

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  18. This Is Us Season 1 Episode 18 - Moonshadow
    8.6/10(2957 votes)

    #18 - Moonshadow

    S1:E18

    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
    Writers:Dan Fogelman, Elizabeth Berger, Isaac Aptaker

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Pilot" is the best rated episode of "This Is Us" season 1. It scored 9.1/10 based on 8646 votes. Directed by Glenn Ficarra, John Requa and written by Dan Fogelman, it aired on 9/20/2016. This episode is rated 0.6 points higher than the second-best, "The Big Three".