Just when you thought This Is Us (Tuesdays, 9 p.m. ET on CTV) was done doling out the twists came one of the biggest yet in the fifth season premiere: Randall’s mother is still alive. (Or was alive?) Not only that, but judging by how the story played out in the most recent episode, it looks as though she has some ties to Vietnam too.

Another stranger enters

Not that Randall (Sterling K. Brown) has any idea about any of that just yet. In “Changes” the episode opened up in a way that fans of the show are getting used to: with a perfect stranger who turned out to be anything but. The first few moments began with a Vietnamese grandfather teaching his granddaughter about fishing and the virtues of patience. It was hard to tell what time period or even country they were in. But by the time the cold open wrapped and the rest of the stories unfolded, there was plenty of other stuff to focus on.Then, like the mic-dropping show This Is Us is, the writers circled back to the characters in the closing moments and fans realized the grandfather actually has some sort of a romantic past with Randall’s mom Laurel. (Hands up if you thought he had something to do with Jack or Nicky’s past.) When, how, and whether that relationship lasted are just some of the questions that the big reveal—AKA the camera panning to a framed photo of the younger couple—opened up. And to think it’s only episode three.

Ooooooo...THAT’S who you are! See you next week. ✌? #ThisIsUs

— Sterling K Brown (@SterlingKBrown) November 11, 2020

On the bright side, the reveal did put one major fan theory to bed, and that’s the one where Randall’s new therapist turns out to be his mother. Not so. The episode also showed Randall bonding with (and feeling the need to explain to) a new therapist whom he has more in common with. That connection comes just in time for the dad too, considering everything going on in his household right about now.[video_embed id='2073888']RELATED: Jon Huertas reveals why ‘This Is Us’ covering the Black Lives Matter movement was ‘cathartic [/video_embed]

The joys of teenagers

Everyone always talks about how the teenaged phase is probably the hardest part about raising kids, and This Is Us dove into that theory headfirst on Tuesday night. Unlike some series, which would go to the extreme with drugs or teen sex, the episode chose instead to focus on the daily, smaller moments that make raising a teen hard. The breakdown of communication for one. The attitude for another. And then the idea that teens are people who are coming into their own, and they may be different than what you remember your preteen being like.

Tonight's episode is sweet and simple and made me feel warm and fuzzy like when my sister and I used to come in from playing in snow and mom would make us tomato soup and hot dogs. There's no snow/tomato soup/hot dogs in this one but there's lots of moms (and dads) #ThisIsUs

— Dan Fogelman (@Dan_Fogelman) November 10, 2020

Enter Tess (Eris Baker), who is arguably dealing with more than any other character right now. The show finally addressed that in a lowkey way, revealing that the teen was only eating free range eggs and fighting for justice via inappropriate videos on social media. From a parenthood perspective that added to Beth (Susan Kelechi Watson) and Randall’s drama for sure. But from Tess’ perspective—as a gay Black teen—she’s also dealing with microaggressions at school, the teachers’ refusal to address her queer community in a respectful way, and parents that she believes don’t understand her. How many shows have addressed those very real experiences? Probably not enough.

Not gonna lie, we'd follow Tess on TikTok. #ThisIsUs pic.twitter.com/QA2FTjC9sS

— This Is Us (@NBCThisisUs) November 11, 2020

The storyline also reminded everyone how different Tess is from Randall when it comes to speaking out and dealing with her own anxiety and issues. That kind of hit viewers on the head with the flashbacks, which at first seemed to focus on the parenting of it all from the perspective of Jack (Milo Ventimiglia) and Rebecca (Mandy Moore). But then the story took a major twist when Kate’s friend Tonya tried to put the moves on a young Randall, saying that she’d always wondered what it would like “to kiss someone like you.” Randall had buried that gross story for decades, but with Tess finally speaking up for herself it made him realize it was time for him to express some of the events that shaped and affected him growing up. Enter the therapy of it all.

“Someone like you...” whew ?#ThisIsUs

— Sterling K Brown (@SterlingKBrown) November 11, 2020

A bit of serendipity to finish it off

Elsewhere in the life of the Pearsons this week, Kate (Chrissy Metz) and Toby (Chris Sullivan) met a suspect woman who was looking to give her baby up for adoption, and basically had the most relatable argument in front of her about diapers, bulk buying, and taking responsibility in a relationship. They weren’t the only ones squabbling though as viewers got a new perspective into life with newly engaged couple Kevin and Madison (Caitlin Thompson).It’s easy to forget that Madison and Kate originally met at a weight loss group, or that Madison has some serious issues with food. Being pregnant with twins brought all of those feelings front and center, and living with a chiseled movie star who works out twice a day and only eats lean chicken wasn’t helping. But as it turns out those two have more in common than even they knew. While Kevin eats, he also deals with addiction—including his addiction to having the perfect body. It’s just one more tidbit the show reminded everyone of during those flashbacks, as the cameras caught a young Kevin sneaking back into the garage for one more workout after Jack told him that was enough for the day.

These two still have a lot to learn about each other. pic.twitter.com/yOCPqcdmaa

— This Is Us (@NBCThisisUs) November 11, 2020

As Kevin finally revealed to Madison when they decided to air the ugly stuff, his entire career launched when he became the guy who took off his shirt. That has to cause some serious damage too, which may be why Kevin and Madison are actually pretty great for each other. (Who knew?!) Sure,they came together in the most unconventional of ways, but by the time these babies come, Kevin and Madison could very well be the most functional couple of all the couples on the show.Just kidding. No one can beat the #couplegoals that are Beth and Randall. They put their foot in #couplegoals.Watch This is Us Tuesdays at 9ET on CTV.[video_embed id='-1']BEFORE YOU GO: Sweet baby attempts to sing 'You Are My Sunshine' with his mom [/video_embed]