This is Us Season 6 Episode 15 review: Jon Huertas is brilliant, as show finally gives his character, Miguel Rivas, his due

3.5/5

Story: Miguel Rivas (Jon Huertas) was Jack Pearson’s (Milo Ventimiglia) best buddy, who, several years after his pal’s tragic passing, got into a relationship with his widow, Rebecca (Mandy Moore). Through the years, Miguel has been there for Jack, Rebecca and then the Big Three and their kids too. And this episode on This is Us - The Final Chapter put the pieces together of the man Miguel was, glimpses of which we’d seen all along.

Review: The signs were there and, I guess, we knew it all along, that one of the most integral characters of This is Us, Miguel Rivas, wouldn’t make it to the very end. The future scenes of the Pearsons coming together at the cabin for Rebecca’s last moments did not have Kate and Miguel in them and we feared the worst, until a couple of week’s ago when it was revealed that Kate’s still doing well. Miguel, though, wasn’t as fortunate and we kind of saw that coming. He’s been having aches here and there and a tremble that didn’t escape Randall either.

And while part of the episode was dedicated to the Pearson folk bidding farewell to the man who became such an integral part of their lives, it was also about understanding his story. From his younger days in Mexico, to coming to the USA when his father found work there, and working his way up to well and truly fit in with the new life they’d found, Miguel’s come a long way. A journey on which he met Jack Pearson, who’d go on to be his best buddy. He also met Rebecca, who took a while to warm up to him, but then couldn’t do without him later on.

As important as Miguel’s character was to This is Us, it was also a role that was never really given its due, even though Jon Huertas made sure he was seen and heard every time he was on screen. He was the Pearsons’ trusted go-to person for support and was always there for them, even when they made him feel like the outsider. So, it was only apt that we get a fleeting look at Miguel’s life, which, truth be told, feels a tad too little and too late, given that there are only three more episodes to the season.

But hey, we are not complaining; something’s better than nothing and Jon absolutely knocks it out of the park, as he takes us through Miguel’s life in only 40 minutes. This was 40 minutes well-spent, even though it ended in sadness.

Verdict: As we approach the final stretch of This is Us, the showrunners are going to town with episodes that are absolute tear-jerkers. If you’ve loved Miguel on the show, this is an episode you do not want to miss.