This Is Us returns from its winter break on Tuesday, January 9, and in case you forgot about everything that unfolded in the last few episodes here's a brief refresher: Kate had a miscarriage, Kevin's drinking and prescription drug dependency worsened, Randall and Beth had to say goodbye to Deja, and, in the latest episode, Kevin drove drunk while Randall and Beth's eldest daughter, Tess, was hiding in his backseat.

In the understatement of the year, executive producer and co-showrunner Elizabeth Berger says "all of the characters have had crises that they're going through this season and are in their own world because of that." So when the show returns, she's "very excited" to bring everybody back together. "They hash everything out in a way we haven't seen so far." Adds EP and co-showrunner Isaac Aptaker, "Everybody is seeing each other, for better or for worse. This episode is the exact opposite of the trilogy episodes."

What does that mean exactly? And will the big three face happier times in 2018? Ahead of next week's new episode, Aptaker and Berger fill us in.

When the show returns, how much time will have passed since we saw Kevin driving under the influence with Tess in the backseat of his car?

Isaac Aptaker: We tend to keep our present day stories in real time, similar to last season when we ended with Toby collapsing on Christmas and then came back a few weeks later and caught up where everyone is. We’ll do a similar time jump. Nothing too major.

Can Beth ever forgive Kevin? Obviously he didn’t know Tess was in the car with him, but this is her child.

Elizabeth Berger: Beth can be a tough customer, especially with Kevin. I do think she knows Kevin was there for Randall previously [when he had his breakdown], and I think that while she might not be forgiving immediately, that does have an effect on her. She’ll try to keep that in mind as her relationship with Kevin progresses.

IA: And as you said, Kevin had no idea Tess was in that car. It’s not the best defense in the world, but it’s something.

Everyone wants to know if Kevin has hit rock bottom, but when you’re an addict—even a recovering addict—you’re never fully out of the woods. It's a lifelong fight.

IA: I think it just speaks to the amount of love there is for this character and the portrayal that Justin gives, but you’re right, there are so many ups and downs. Recovery and addiction are incredibly unpredictable. You can think you’ve bottomed out and are fine, but then you slip up and have a new low. It’s impossible to really say what rock bottom really is until you’ve lived your full life.

EB: I agree. I think at least when we come back [next week], at least his family will know what’s going on. That way, in the immediate future, things will be a little bit different, but you’re exactly right.

In the winter finale, we saw a young boy in foster care, which seemed to indicate that his path will cross with Randall and Beth’s. Will we explore that in the latter half of the season?

IA: Yes, definitely. That’s a little tease of what’s to come.

EB: If you know Randall, it’s safe to say that the adoption passion hasn’t been put to bed, so it’s definitely still alive.