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Is Randall’s Birth Mother His New Therapist on ‘This Is Us’ Season 5? Here’s What the Writers Said
For several seasons, Randall (Sterling K. Brown) has struggled navigating life as a Black man raised in a white family.
Tensions really escalated when he found out that his adoptive mother, Rebecca Pearson, had known his biological father, William, his entire life and kept him a secret despite knowing how much he wanted information on his biological family.
After years of dealing with identity and anxiety issues, Randall eventually went to therapy to deal with the stress brought on by his mother’s illness, his run for City Council, and the burglarization of his home.
There’s a stigma that follows seeking out therapy, especially when it comes to Black men, so Randall’s decision was bold and important.
It wasn’t easy at first to open up, but eventually, the therapist was able to break through his tough exterior. When This Is Us Season 5 premiered, Randall seemed in a much better place mentally — the tremors were gone! — as he continued virtual therapy amid the coronavirus pandemic.
He also dealt with racial relations brought on by yet another heinous murder of a Black man in America prompting protests known as the Black Lives Matter movement.
Important and difficult conversations were had with his family, specifically Kate, which led him to realize that he needed to change therapists.
While he initially made the conscious decision to pursue a therapist that was a white woman, just like adoptive mother, as he grew more secure in his identity, he realized he needed someone that he could fully open up with and not hide the “Black parts” from.
He needed a Black therapist.
Randall’s realization happens at the same time as the shocking twist that his biological mother, Laurel, (who audiences thought died shortly after birth due to an overdose) was actually resuscitated and likely survived.
This Is Us is such a meticulously planned show that the writers managed to weave in COVID and BLM into an episode so organically that it was impossible for the audience to tell when or how it was altered. It just fit.
So, there’s reason to believe that the timing of Randall’s decision and the reveal that his mother may be alive isn’t an accident.
What if his new therapist is his biological mother? It’s a popular theory and one that the This Is Us writers already debunked, but should we believe them?
She is not going to end up as Randall’s therapist. #ThisIsUs
— ThisIsUsWriters (@ThisIsUsWriters) October 28, 2020
It’s possible that she’s either too old to still be practicing or no longer alive.
However, that doesn’t mean Randall’s new therapist isn’t a long-lost brother or sister that he didn’t know about?
There has to be some connection.
Randall has always sought out answers about his biological family, who he is, and where he comes from. Even after meeting William and mending things with him, Randall continues to have a void because he never knew his biological mother. His “mommy issues” stem from the abandonment (which we now know wasn’t intentional as he was wanted) by his biological mom and the deception by his adoptive mother.
For a show centered around family and the importance of family, it would only make sense for them to pursue this avenue and allow Randall to further explore his background on a deeper level.
What do you think, Cravers? If Randall’s mom isn’t the therapist, how does this storyline play into Randall’s overall arc?
It’s pretty obvious why High Potential was renewed for a third season, especially if the season 2 finale is any indication of the drama’s draw and popularity.
It seems as though ending the drama on a huge cliffhanger (spoiler—fans have to wait till season 3 to see if Nick Wagner (Steve Howey) survives the ambush by whoever is trying to silence him and Morgan (Kaitlin Olson) from pursuing the Roman Sinquerra trail) paid off, as the ratings hit a high note.
Per Variety, the series wrapped up its run on April 7 with 12.69 million total viewers, per Nielsen live+7 multiplatform numbers.
While that’s slightly down from its freshman run finale, which hit 12.79 million viewers in February 2025, it’s way up from the season 2 premiere with 11.99 million viewers.
And it’s proof that the show has staying power, continuing to draw in eyeballs who remain invested in the series.
The outlet noted that the numbers were the best since February, “up 137% vs. the show’s live+same day average of 5.36 million viewers,” adding, “That multiplatform number is up 137% vs. the show’s live+same day average of 5.36 million viewers.”
The multiplatform ratings have the series tied with the success of CBS’s newest hit, Marshals.
This is great news for Olson and the cast, who celebrated the achievement on Instagram Story, thanking the fans for their loyalty.
The season finale packed in plenty of developments. In addition to Wagner’s potential demise (either way, he is leaving the series as a series regular, so if he survives, he’ll only return in a guest star capacity), Detective Karadec (Daniel Sunjata) experienced the ultimate heartache and betrayal with Lucia’s involvement in a murder. It was a twist of events that brought Karadec and Morgan even closer together.
High Potential is living up to its name and proving there’s plenty of store left to tell when it comes to this single mom and her special set of skills.
Re-live the glory of the season 2 finale—and the steamy kiss between Wagner and Morgan in the penultimate episode as you patiently wait for season 3 to return, hopefully in the early fall.
Featured
CBS Unveils 2026-2027 Fall Primetime Schedule Featuring New Dramas, Franchise Expansion and Returning Hits
CBS has unveiled its 2026–2027 fall primetime lineup, going big with a slate built around returning ratings leaders, major franchise expansions, and several high-profile new series.
The network, which says it is on track to deliver the season’s top three primetime series with Tracker, Marshals, and 60 Minutes,along with multiple top new shows and returning favorites, is leaning heavily into franchise power, sports, and event programming.
CBS also highlighted its continued dominance across comedy and drama, including the top two comedies, Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage and Ghosts, plus 13 of the top 20 most-watched series on television.
The lineup expands major franchises, including NCIS, FBI, and Fire Country, while introducing new series such as NCIS: New York, Cupertino, and Eternally Yours.
“CBS broadcasts the most-watched entertainment shows in the country and continues to launch more every season,” said Amy Reisenbach, president of CBS Entertainment. “We’ll build on that this fall by expanding the powerful NCIS franchise, introducing a new original drama from the creators of THE GOOD WIFE and ELSBETH and a new comedy from the acclaimed duo behind GHOSTS. This all adds up to another schedule built for launching new hits, scaling audiences and growing content value.”
Einstein, Matlock, Ghosts, (which will have its one-hour Halloween and Ghostmas special episodes airing this fall) and NCIS: Sydney are saved for the midseason schedule!
See what’s in store below:
CBS 2026–2027 Fall Primetime Schedule
MONDAYS – Kick off the week with dramas
- 8:00 PM — FBI
- 9:00 PM — CIA
- 10:00 PM — Harlan Coben’s Final Twist
TUESDAYS – NCIS Franchise Night
- 8:00 PM — NCIS
- 9:00 PM — NCIS: New York (NEW)
- 10:00 PM — NCIS: Origins
WEDNESDAYS – Hit ‘Em with the Reality TV
- 8:00 PM — Survivor
- 9:30 PM — The Amazing Race
THURSDAYS – Comedy and Drama for Laughs and Thrills
- 8:00 PM — Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage
- 8:30 PM — Eternally Yours (NEW)
- 9:00 PM — Elsbeth
- 10:00 PM — Cupertino (NEW)
FRIDAYS – End the Week With Action
- 8:00 PM — Sheriff Country
- 9:00 PM — Fire Country
- 10:00 PM — Boston Blue
SUNDAYS – CBS Power Shows
- 7:00 PM — 60 Minutes
- 8:00 PM — Marshals
- 9:00 PM — Tracker
- 10:00 PM — Drama encores
When Chicago Med Season 11 premiered on Wednesday, Oct. 1, there was one key character missing—Maggie Lockwood.
Played by Marlyne Barrett, the NBC drama briefly mentioned that charge nurse Maggie was taking some time away from Gaffney Chicago Medical Center, causing concern amongst fans.
Where Was Maggie Lockwood on the Chicago Med Season 11 Premiere?
Back in August, People reported that the actress would be taking a step back from the series, with the exit being teased as “temporary” by Deadline.
Marylyne Barrett’s Health Battle
Will Any Other Original Cast Members Join Chicago Med Season 11?
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