Randall realizes his mother, Rebecca, is experiencing significant memory loss. After a series of disorienting events—including getting lost on a walk and losing her phone—Rebecca finally admits she needs to see a doctor. Meanwhile, Randall connects with Uncle Nicky by playing the same Cohen song, reciting the exact "poem" explanation he learned from Jack.
The title (Season 4, Episode 9) most prominently refers to the fall finale of the NBC drama This Is Us , which aired on November 19, 2019. The episode title is a direct homage to the 1967 Leonard Cohen song of the same name, which serves as a pivotal emotional bridge between the characters Jack, Nicky, and Randall. Plot Overview & Key Storylines [S4E9] So Long, Marianne
Following their "Thanksgiving Shrimp" tradition, Jack and a struggling Nicky listen to Leonard Cohen's "So Long, Marianne" in Jack's truck. Nicky explains the song's meaning—that it is actually a poem—creating a memory that Jack carries for the rest of his life. The title (Season 4, Episode 9) most prominently