Tonight’s episode 11 doesn’t do much to change that, as it features the pastanda secondary character.

But with its intimate, heartwarming theme, there’s something special about it.

Let’s break down the journey of Jack’s younger brother.

Later, Jack talks to Nick about moving out, to get away from their father.

Nick likes being home, though, and thinks their father treats their mother better when he’s around.

Jack urges Nick to at least date.

Nick admits he’s interested in Sally, a woman with whom he works at a veterinarian clinic.

One day at the clinic, Sally (Genevieve Angelson) invites Nick to moon-gaze with her.

After initially declining, interference from Jack, and a second invite from Sally, Nick accepts.

At that, the two share a kiss, igniting a relationship.

One night, Sally asks Nick to leave town with her for a music festival (Woodstock!)

Nick hesitantly agrees, saying he’ll meet her Wednesday night at 11.

Ecstatic for his brother, Jack buys Nick a suitcase.

Nick leaves Sally in the lurch.

Either way, he couldn’t take that step to change his life.

Post-war Nicky

In a post-Vietnam flashback, Nicky’s living in his trailer as a drunken shut-in.

A former Army peer calls him about an upcoming get-together to celebrate their lieutenant’s engagement.

Nicky decides to go but sits in his car outside his trailer struggling to leave.

He eventually does, but once he arrives at the gathering, he again sits frozen in his car.

He sees Jack arrive.

Sheehan says veterans can’t let themselves get lost in their memories of the war horrors.

Cut to Nicky struggling to face his war-wracked past in the form of seeing Jack.

He urges Jack to propose.

Nicky doesn’t call out…

He almost took one small step to change his life, but ultimately failed.

Present-day Nicky

In the present, Nicky arrives unexpectedly at Kevin’s.

He wanted to meet his namesake and didn’t realize the baptism invite he got was a Zoom event.

Kevin can’t believe he came, considering his hermit lifestyle.

He asks Cassidy how to use Amazon.

Cassidy helps him wrap a present for the twins.

Cassidy says she’s proud of Nicky for making the trek.

Nicky thanks Cassidy for always being there for him.

At the airport, Nicky runs into trouble.

His present, hand-crafted snow globes (including a moon-themed one), violate liquid policies.

Frazzled, Nicky breaks the globes while trying to empty the liquid.

That night, Nicky calls Cassidy, wanting to bail.

She makes Nicky realize Jack would be proud he made it to California.

Nicky visits the twins' room with his replacement presents annotated paperbacks of his favorite John Grisham novels.

He then circles back to living in a trailer alone, going nowhere.

“I got stuck,” says Nicky.

Nicky finally took life-changing steps.

Cut to Kevin finding Nicky asleep beside the twins later that night.

Smiling, he picks up one of the books and out falls Sally’s photo of Jack and Nick.

So ends a brilliantly beautiful episode.

Whether I’m right or wishfully overthinking, we shall see.