Those that are celebrating their 36th birthday today include: Jack, whose wife Rebecca is expecting triplets, which will be their first children; Randall, who has made a financial success of his life despite being abandoned by his unknown father at a firehall when he was a newborn; and twins Kevin and Kate, whose lives have taken divergent paths based solely on appearance, with model good looks actor Kevin having a lucrative lead role in a mindless sitcom called Man-ny, the role which often requires him to be shirtless, and obese Kate wallowing in the difficulties in her life, those difficulties because of her weight. On this specific day, Rebecca goes into labor, six weeks premature, meaning that the children will have the same birthday as Jack. The stress from what is already considered a difficult pregnancy is ratcheted up a notch when Rebecca's regular doctor becomes incapacitated, leaving her in the care of a doctor she's never met, Dr. Katowski - Dr. K - he a ... Written by Huggo

Jack and Rebecca's kids are now eight, and Jack and Rebecca are having and have had continuing issues concerning all three. On top of it all, Rebecca has been doing all the heavy lifting keeping peace in the family, while Jack has been the best dad whenever he has been around, which is not very often, and becoming less and less so on his own initiative in not wanting to deal with the problems while he drowns his sorrows at a bar with Miguel. The question becomes if their family can withstand all these stresses on it. Meanwhile, Kevin discovers that leaving Man-ny is not as easy as just saying that he is quitting the show, as he has a binding two year contract. He is forced to attend a Hollywood party to ask the network bigwigs for forgiveness, something, because of his utter contempt for the show, he isn't sure he can do despite the consequences on his lucrative career. He wants Kate to go to the party with him for support, something she is resisting if only because of feeling ... Written by Huggo

Jack and Rebecca have just taken the babies home from the hospital. While Jack is focused on moving on with their lives, Rebecca can't help but think about the one they lost and if their adopted son, who they've named Kyle - all the babies named after Dr. K - is a replacement for the one who didn't make it. As such, Rebecca is having problems bonding with Kyle, while Kevin and Kate seem truly to be parts of each other and of her and Jack. Rebecca believes that the man she spots at the hospital may help her alleviate at least part of her apprehension about taking Kyle as their own. Back in present day, Rebecca and Miguel's surprise visit places a slight crimp in Randall's plan in how he was going to tell his mother about finding his biological father. Although Randall doesn't believe she said anything unforeseen, Randall knows that something Rebecca said to William in the private conversation she requested with him has something to do with William's change in behavior. William having ... Written by Huggo

Jack and Rebecca's kids are now eight. A heatwave is sweeping through the region, so Jack, to take refuge from the heat, suggests the family spend the day at the public pool. At the overcrowded pool, Jack and Rebecca not only display the continuing problems they feel they are having parenting three diverse kids the same age, but the three kids deal with their own issues with Kevin, whose problems may be the least obvious, shows partly why he has always felt some animosity toward Randall. In present day, a growing rift of sorts forms between Randall and William with Randall dealing with life as a black man having been raised in a middle class white household in a middle class white neighborhood, while William, still attired in his somewhat shabby clothes, is now living in an upscale neighborhood having long fought for the rights of the underprivileged black population. Randall may get a feeling of his childhood as the family attends Tess' school production. Kevin goes for his first ... Written by Huggo

The story behind the love for the Pittsburgh Steelers is revealed; Rebecca and Jack argue about starting a family; Randall and Beth experience an unexpected turn of events.

Jack and Rebecca's kids are nine. Randall has just tested as being academically gifted, which belies his average report card marks. The school administration recommends to Jack and Rebecca that they send him to a private school for gifted children. Jack balks at the notion, not wanting Randall to feel even more obviously different in what he considers an even whiter environment than their own local public school, where Randall is already the only black child but who has at least his two siblings. Beyond the fact that Jack admits that he worries about how to pay for a private school, especially as he was considering forgoing a promotion to form his own company, Jack may not want to admit that he has ulterior motives regarding Randall's private school opportunity that relate to more personal issues in his own being. In present day, Randall begins to feel that he and his work as a weather commodity trader are not the match he always thought it was as he prepares to give a talk at career ... Written by Huggo

Rebecca picks up her musical career; Kevin and Randall's feud comes to a head; Beth discovers William's secret; Toby's decision to stop dieting throws Kate into a tailspin.

The unfortunate events of one terrible holiday lead to the Pearson family's Thanksgiving tradition; Kate makes a drastic decision; Kevin brings Olivia to Thanksgiving; Randall learns a secret from his mother.

It's the day after Thanksgiving, and Randall is still reeling over the revelation that Rebecca knew where William was his entire life. Randall's anger is primarily directed at Rebecca but is not limited to her, as he realizes that William had some part in the decision. Randall believes that Jack didn't know about William's existence, and may or may not be aware that Jack tried to provide male black role models for him when he was growing up and looking for who he was inherently. Based on news from Rebecca during Thanksgiving dinner that she is selling the family cabin - a place Kevin, Kate and Randall love but haven't been to in years - they feel it is an appropriate time for an overnight sibling getaway, which will allow them also figuratively to get away from all their issues. The figurative memo about it being a getaway for three doesn't reach Kevin, who casually invites Olivia, who in turn brings an ex named Asher, and Sloane if only because she is the one with a car. Under this... Written by Huggo

It's Christmas Eve, a day that, at least philosophically, nothing bad ever happens in the Pearson family. The family is convening at Randall and Beth's for dinner, including Rebecca with whom Randall has made up, he at least understanding why she did what she did. However, things for the family members don't go according to the plan to make it to Randall and Beth's - that nothing bad which may not apply this year. Before dinner, Randall and Beth themselves are attending an annual work function, at which Randall, going through a mid-life crisis associated with all that is going on in his life, has purchased a boat from his business colleague, Andy. William is attending a Narcotics Anonymous meeting, not so much for the meeting itself, but to reconnect with someone from his recent past, that reconnection which may take priority over spending Christmas Eve with his biological family. Kevin has given his last minute regrets to Randall, as he, out of owing her one, has to attend ... Written by Huggo

Jack and Rebecca's first instincts upon learning of Rebecca's pregnancy are for Rebecca not to turn out like her judgmental passive/aggressive mother who still drives her crazy, or for Jack not to turn out like his physically and emotionally abusive father. Jack is estranged from his widowed father, who knows nothing about Jack's current life. By the end of Rebecca's first trimester by which time they've prepared somewhat for their new life as parents including renting a two bedroom sixth floor walk-up apartment they can ill afford, they learn that Rebecca is carrying triplets. Knowing that the apartment is impractical for three babies and not having the financial means for three children at this time, each of Jack and Rebecca make decisions about their life as parents for which they may not be emotionally prepared, but which they know they have to do to make it under the circumstances. In present day, things with the play seem to be going well with Kevin and Sloane now co-financing ... Written by Huggo

It's August 31, 1980. Three parallel stories are told. In story one, Rebecca is thirty-three weeks pregnant, and the small pleasures which both she and Jack found in her early pregnancy have changed at least for Rebecca to what seems to be the constant verge of a total emotional breakdown. Regardless, Jack is still trying to keep her spirits up in any way he can. On this day, all Rebecca wants is to be alone, she banishing Jack from the house. In doing so, she doesn't realize that it is his thirty-sixth birthday, he who was looking forward to her annual birthday gift of a sexy Marilyn Monroe styled dance to him wearing only his birthday suit. In his banishment, Jack turns to Miguel for support and advice, Miguel, a father already, who may be able to provide some wisdom out of experience. In story two, Dr. K is both looking forward and not looking forward to a visit from one of his sons, Peter, and his family. Dr. K knows that Peter and his wife Alli will once again try to get him to ... Written by Huggo

It's Kevin, Kate and Randall's tenth birthday. Unlike the joint parties their parents usually throw them complete with children's games like pin the tail on the donkey, Kevin and Kate request separate preteen bordering on teenaged themed parties, with which Randall goes along. This request, which their parents oblige, marks what Jack in particular sees as a turning point in their lives as a family. On Jack's initiative, Jack and Rebecca contemplate having more children seeing that their first three are moving onto another stage of their lives. Beyond what Jack and Rebecca see as issues with the resulting parties - some which affect them more than their children, and some which affect their children more than them - the goings-on mark some true turning points in their family dynamic. Kevin, in particular, has what will end up as a defining moment in his life. And Jack and Rebecca decide by the end of the parties if another child is what they really want at this point in their lives. In... Written by Huggo

Toby throws a wrench in Kate's weight loss journey; Randall struggles to accept William's deteriorating health; Miguel and Shelley's devastating news has Jack and Rebecca worried about their own relationship; Kevin examines his romantic past.

It's the mid-1990s on Valentine's Day. Rebecca has decided to go on tour with the band, for which she has Jack's full support, or so he says. In reality, Jack is already feeling overwhelmed with Rebecca's evening gigs at the bar, that feeling which is only exacerbated with both Kevin and Randall going through issues which need to be addressed. As has always been the case, Jack feels he has to be the perfect husband and father, which in his mind means not showing any weakness in doing it all on his own. This day, Miguel - wanting to get back out in the social scene after his breakup with Shelly - will accompany Jack to the bar to hear Rebecca perform, with Jack's designated role as Miguel's wingman, before Jack and Rebecca go out for their annual ritual of their Valentine's Day dinner. An incident at the bar may change Jack's perspective on the entire matter. In present day, each of Jack's three offspring are having issues which channels their deceased father in some aspect. As Jack ... Written by Huggo

Beth is wary of Randall's plan to drive to Memphis with William, his hometown where many of his, and thus by association Randall's surviving biological relatives still live. Beth's concern is solely because of Randall's nervous breakdown happening one week ago and he only having been out of the hospital for five days. But the trip is a go on the okay by Randall's psychiatrist. With biological father and son alone on the drive, their differences - William being carefree whereas Randall is regimented - may be highlighted. Beyond Randall meeting the family he never knew, he will find that William has some very specific things he needs to do on this trip, Memphis where he has not been in approximately forty years. Due to the reasons behind some of the things he needs to do, William may find that his homecoming is not all heartwarming, mostly around not why he left Memphis for Pittsburgh, but rather he having abandoned his responsibilities in Memphis. Randall will also discover that ... Written by Huggo

Rebecca is about to head off on her first two week tour with the band, and the emotional wall that Jack places between him and her because of she never having told him about dating Ben when they were younger is noticeable, Rebecca accusing him of being passive-aggressive in his behavior toward her. Kate can see that strain the most of the kids, and does whatever she can to encourage her dad to make things right with her mom before things get out of hand. In present day, Kevin is having his second opening night of the play. He knows that a good review from influential critic Brandon Novak is crucial in whether the play is a success or not. The problem is that Novak has made his intention of not showing known, as he attended the first opening which didn't happen, he assuming because of Hollywood television star Kevin, used to multiple takes, being ill prepared for a one take environment. Kevin has to try and convince Novak to give him a chance for this second opening night. And the ... Written by Huggo

1972. Jack has recently returned from the Vietnam War, where he worked as a mechanic. He has been working odd jobs for whatever he will be paid in pursuit of his many goals: to open a garage with his friend Darryl, to move out of his parents' house so that he never has to deal with his abusive father again, and to get his mother out from his father's control. Jack comes to the conclusion that he has to reach for what he wants as opposed to letting life come to him. This attitude takes Jack into some uncharted territory, some risky and dangerous, and others just unexpected. Meanwhile, Rebecca, whose friends are largely getting married or starting families, is focusing on her singing career, she just having produced a demo and singing regularly at open mic nights at bars on the weekends. Because of the small percentage of performers who make it big, Rebecca's friends encourage her to diversify, namely to place some energy into finding a nice guy to marry which may entail going on some... Written by Huggo

Rebecca Pearson once had a difficult pregnancy with triplets. The resulting births occurred on the same day as her husband Jack Pearson's thirty-sixth birthday. The lives of Rebecca, Jack and their three offspring - Kevin, Kate and Randall - are presented at different points in time. The Rebecca and Jack stories generally take place during the early stage of their marriage, surrounding the birth of the three children, or at different phases of the children's upbringing, which was not always smooth sailing for any of the five. Separate stories concerning Kevin, Kate and Randall are also presented in their adult years, each who has his or her own baggage resulting from that upbringing: Kevin who was generally the neglected one because he had no outward issues; Kate who has always had weight issues; and Randall, the gifted one, being the visible outsider and being the non-K child. These stories may demonstrate the emotional ties that exist not only because of being family, but also ... Written by Huggo