On January 12, These are U.S Season 5 will finally address what happened to Randall’s biological mother (Sterling K. Brown), Laurel (Jennifer C. Holmes). At the beginning of the season, viewers discovered that Laurel did not die of an overdose as previously believed. Now, Randall will travel to New Orleans to get more answers. Then why These are U.S do writers feel compelled to tell this story now? Before the episode entitled “Biological Mother”, Brown explained the importance of Laurel’s journey.
Season 5 of ‘This Is Us’ reveals what really happened to Randall’s birth mother
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Long before These are U.S Season 5, William (Ron Cephas Jones) told Randall that Laurel died of an overdose after giving birth. But at the premiere on October 27, the NBC drama revealed that William was wrong. Laurel did not die shortly after delivery.
As the season continued, Laurel’s story seemed to take a back seat. But in a turn of events, Randall accidentally released a video that went viral. This caught the attention of a man named Hai (Vien Hong), who reached out to the councilman.
Hai claimed to be a close friend of Laurel’s and revealed that she died in May 2015 of breast cancer. Then he told Randall that William really thought Laurel was dead. Hai also wanted to show him Laurel’s world in New Orleans. Randall proposed a visit.
“Hey, what if we came outside? To see where my mom lived and the things she loved, ”Randall told Hai. “I like that very much.”
Sterling K. Brown reveals the importance of Randall’s mother in Season 5 of ‘This Is Us’
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O These are U.S The 5th season trailer for episode 6 confirmed that “Birth Mother” will follow Randall’s journey as he learns the truth about Laurel. Then, speaking to TODAY on January 12, Brown explained what fans can get out of the episode.
“This is probably the second episode that shows a black woman in the front and in the center,” said Brown. “We did a backstory for Beth [Susan Kelechi Watson] in the past. And now, this is Randall’s mother, Laurel, backstory. “
He continued: “It is just a reminder that the series has that everyone has a story that is worth telling. People, when you first meet them, may come to you as drug addicts. They can be easily discarded. But you realize that everyone has a journey, and that journey is important to be told. “
Brown also hinted that Laurel’s story goes beyond her connection to Randall.
“For Randall, in particular, it is good to know that this is the first time that he sees his mother’s story as something important in itself. And not just how it relates to him, ”he said.
What to expect from Randall’s mother in season 5 of ‘This Is Us’
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Whatever happens when These are U.S Season 5 delves into Laurel’s story, it’s clear that fans can expect a “beautiful” episode on January 12. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly in January 2021, executive producers Elizabeth Berger and Isaac Aptaker sparked what’s to come and how Laurel’s story will impact Randall Arco’s overall view.
“Identity and the search for your identity are a driving force for Randall throughout our series,” said Berger. “We have incredibly beautiful and exciting things coming up as he continues to piece together his past and history…. It will be very spectacular. “
Then Aptaker added: “This unlocks for [Randall] a whole new world that represents the other half of who he is and who his parents were. “
Meanwhile, creator Dan Fogelman had previously suggested that Laurel’s story will give These are U.S fans the answers they seek.
“A beautiful and complete story will be told,” Fogelman told Entertainment Weekly in November 2020. “I think it will be a satisfying and elegant answer to many things, as opposed to something that necessarily begs more questions.”
These are U.S Season 5 airs on Tuesday nights on NBC.