5 times we cried during This Is Us season 2, episode 16

Even though This Is Us took a much needed break from sadness, the Big Three’s trip to Vegas was an emotional rollercoaster. Here are the five moments that brought the tears.

After two episodes revolving around Jack’s death, fans needed a break from all of the heartbreak. And that’s exactly what This Is Us delivered with “Vegas, Baby.” Well, kind of. The Big Three head off to Las Vegas to celebrate Kate and Toby’s bachelor and bachelorette parties, and while they let loose, they also tackled a ton of emotional backup.

Randall fights with Beth, Beth fights with Kate, Kate opens up to Randall, Kevin narrowly avoids relapse, Toby loses his chance to bond with the brothers Pearson… These aren’t the kind of fireworks you want to see when you’re partying in Las Vegas. Thankfully, we aren’t mourning anyone’s loss (not yet, at least), but here are the five times we cried during the latest This Is Us!

1. Kate and Beth have a breakthrough.

Ever since This Is Us premiered, Kate and Beth have had very few scenes together. In fact, it’s tough to think of a scene that featured just the two of them talking one on one. Therefore, it’s realistic that they may have simply suffered from in-law syndrome and kept it cordial but not personal.

When they tangle in “Vegas, Baby,” their walls of cordiality come crumbling down. Kate admits she’s intimidated by Beth, and Beth admits that she’s caught up with Randall. Finally, the two can rise above the unspoken acquaintanceship they shared and lean into the friendship they need for each other, complete with Kate’s sweet gift of candy for Beth.

2. So do Kate and Randall.

It’s been a long time coming, right? Just as Kate and Beth haven’t shared many scenes together, Kate and Randall have shared just as few. But This Is Us allows us to peer into the brother-sister relationship that we hadn’t truly known existed.

After Jack died, Kate and Randall would eat Hot Pockets and binge-watch Sex and the City together (goals). But Kate felt as though she lost Randall to Beth, which she understands is a natural progression. The truth? She never lost the brother lo-jack or their bond. Tears!

3. Little Kevin prepares a special anniversary dinner.

As if watching Jack and Rebecca celebrate their wedding anniversary over the years (the photos turned out to be false advertising — that wasn’t actually their courtship) wasn’t enough, the Big Three stepped up to the plate to make their parents’ anniversary extra special. While they all banded together for the occasion, Kevin led the charge with a fancy dinner straight out of the Food Network. Little Kevin’s passion behind the meal melts all of the hearts.

4. Jack Pearson outdoes himself.

Yes, Jack always one-upped Rebecca’s personal gifts (she gets him a notebook, he gets her a special dance; she gets him a hammer with his name inscribed, he gets her a piano), but his latest monologue will leave you reaching for the tissues. Mandy Moore graciously reprinted most of it on Twitter, but the line “You are my daily meteor shower” just might be the sweetest thing Jack Pearson has ever said. He strikes again!

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5. Deja sleeps in a car.

For much of “Vegas, Baby,” Randall couldn’t let his mind rest when he had been so unsettled by his reunion and later phone call with Deja. She asked him and Beth for money to pay an outstanding gas bill, but Randall’s parental intuition had him worried something else was up. As he and Beth find out, Deja hadn’t requested money to keep her home, she requested money because she and her mother are living in a car. Our heart breaks for Deja, but she’ll soon come back to the Pearson home. Will she be back for good?

Which moments made you cry in the latest episode? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to keep the conversation going over on Twitter at @thisisuscrying!

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