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PEOPLE: How was working with first-time director Mandy Moore?
CHRISSY METZ: It was super exciting. I mean, luckily we’ve had a really nice friendship that we’ve cultivated over all these years in playing mother-daughter. There’s always been this mutual respect but it was really nice because she understands these characters better than any other director who’s just coming in. She was just so kind, sweet and patient, and had a vision. So easy and effortless, it was really nice.
Speaking of Mandy, her characterRebecca’s speech at the cabinmakes an impact on the Big Three in different ways. Kate was chosen as the backup captain after primary caregiver Miguel (Jon Huertas). What does that do for her going forward?
I think that she and Rebecca always had a bit of a bumpy relationship. It’s unfortunate when Rebecca receives her diagnosis and she is starting to understand her mom through being a mother herself. There are all these revelations that they’re having. It’s just so nice that Kate feels validated. Even though her mom always felt as if Kate was her best friend, Kate didn’t always feel that. So it was really sweet to see Kate understand for the first time that she is somebody that people, and her mother included, can rely on. She can be the captain as you said and she can really handle what’s going on.
That’s the whole point. Neither one of them is right and neither one of them is wrong. They’re just moving in different directions and sometimes you move together and sometimes you move separately. I think it’s really important to show the dissolution of a relationship in the most honest, real and relatable way. These are two people that love each other very much and they’re really trying hard in every way that they know what they feel is best to keep this relationship going. Unfortunately, it’s not ultimately what each other wants. They want separate things.
They both are trying desperately and that’s something really beautiful to witness but I think they’re going to keep trying. If you love something you don’t give up on it. I think they both love each other, but are we going to keep seeing them have the same fight? The same disagreement? The same argument? Ultimately, I don’t know if it’s able to be salvaged. They’re going to, well I know they’re going to continue to try, but things are not going to be easy for them.
What does the phone call to Phillip at the top of the hill mean?
She’s ready to put herself first. If he gets to do what he wants to do, which means staying in San Francisco and having his own life, she wants to stay in L.A. and have the career that she’s always dreamt of. She’s very happy and so why can’t both exist? That’s the whole point is that they tried to let both exist and it was just too difficult. So we’ll see.
Previously youhinted about drawing inspiration from your own divorce, what specifically inspired this script?
I pulled some feelings of my real-life divorce. My ex-husband and I were like crying signing our divorce paperwork because we loved each other as people but we knew that we weren’t supposed to be together. Many people, I think, have experienced that. The hardest part is holding onto something that you know is not meant for you. You feel like, “Oh well, I’m supposed to. What if I don’t find anything better?” All of those feelings, I have personally gone through in my life. Unfortunately, you know intuitively when something isn’t working anymore even though it’s very hard to admit it to yourself.
Was co-writing this episode the bittersweet part of finishingThis Is Us? Were you able to accomplish what you dreamt of with this show? Not only with acting and singing on the show, but also now co-writing?
I mean I feel very content with where Kate began and where she is now. Who I am as a person and who I was before. Having all these incredible opportunities, just really stretching my abilities, just showing up for myself. I mean, that’s half the battle, if not more. It’s just really nice to be in a position where there’s enough respect and collaborative desire to want to make the show the best it can be. I’m so grateful and very content. Do I want one more season? Probably, but you know, that’s okay. We always want what we can’t have.
This Is Usairs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on NBC.
source: people.com
