This Is Us speculation: Randall and Kevin will make up before the flash-forward

By Noah Mussay | Apr 2, 2020

THIS IS US -- (Photo by: Ron Batzdorff/NBC) /

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, This Is Us star Justin Hartley suggested that Randall and Kevin’s feud won’t last long. Will they be speaking by the time Rebecca passes away?

The Feud Begins

While discussing the This Is Us Season 4 finale, Hartley shared whether he thinks the brothers’ feud will drive them apart for good. Since Season 4, Episode 16, the brothers have been clashing over how to handle Rebecca’s medical care. Although Randall made it clear to his therapist that he feels solely responsible for Rebecca’s care, Kevin’s been eager to share the responsibility.

More from This Is Us

Things Better Left Unsaid

However, Randall had other plans. First, he insisted that Rebecca attend a nine-month clinical trial in St. Louis despite Kevin’s protests. He then blamed Kevin when Rebecca ultimately declined the offer and, without Kevin’s knowledge, manipulated her into attending the trial anyway.

When Kevin ultimately found out in the Season 4 finale, the brothers aired out 39 years’ worth of baggage with Kevin dealing the devastating final blow:

"“You know, I used to think the worst thing that happened to me was the day that Dad died. It’s the day they brought you home.”"

So, where will that leave them once This Is Us returns for Season 5? Will the pair mend fences before the series’ end? Hartley weighed in on the matter with Entertainment Weekly:

"“You know what the funny thing is? I don’t totally know. But I took it to mean that the idea is that they always come back together as a family, and it might take a while, it might take a bit. But they’re brothers, this is not going to divide them until their deathbeds and they don’t speak. That’s how I took it to mean. But I think it’s going to take awhile.”"

The Future Looks Hazy

After watching the Season 4 finale, I was wondering how Kevin and Randall would be able to repair the damage that’d been done. Both brothers spoke with the intent of hurting the other by feeding on the other’s insecurities. Randall believes that Kevin ran in the wake of Jack’s death, and I think Kevin’s always bought into that myth.

They had their problems long before Jack died, but once he did, those problems became fueled by their grief. Now, they’re watching their mother die much more slowly, so naturally, past wounds are starting to rip open.

Yet, maybe there’s hope. From the looks of the Season 3 finale flash-forward, Randall has some semblance of a relationship with Kevin’s children. While the brothers’ demeanor toward each other in the Season 4 finale flash-forward seemed a bit off, given the circumstances, it makes sense.

Plus, I don’t believe that Kevin would’ve put a comforting hand on Randall’s shoulder if they weren’t close. Still, there’s the possibility that they’ve spent years silently feuding, a possibility that we saw realized in one of Randall’s alternate realities in Season 4, Episode 17. Maybe, at some point, they simply decided to keep things cordial for the sake of the family.

Frankly, I hope that’s not the case. I want Randall and Kevin to get to a place where they’ve developed a mutual respect for one another, finally able to exist as brothers and friends. Otherwise, it’s not going to be too much fun continuing to watch two grown men who refuse to grow up.

This Is Us speculation: Madison might not be Kevin's fiancée. dark. Next

Do you think Kevin and Randall will be able to resolve their issues? Will Kate and Rebecca be forced to pick sides? Let us know what you think!

This Is Us is tentatively set to return for Season 5 this fall on NBC. If you haven’t already, be sure to catch up on Season 4 via Hulu or the NBC app.

Home/This Is Us