To understand Nicky Pearson as an Enneagram 5, let’s first take a look at the characteristics of the Enneagram type. Fives are typically referred to as “The Investigator” because they want to possess a deep understanding of the world around them. They are afraid of feeling helpless or incompetent. Enneagram 5s also want a great deal of independence. They have a tendency to retreat into themselves, especially when they are stressed or overwhelmed. There is much more to know about Type 5, and you can learn more from The Enneagram Institute and/or Truity. *
As always, remember that this post contains spoilers and does not go in any particular order in regard to episodes or chronology.
Nicky Pearson is Jack’s younger brother, and we meet him in a patented This Is Us plot twist. It isn’t until the tail end of Season 2, Episode 5 that we learn he exists. As the series progresses, we see him variably as an admiring younger brother, drug-addled and tortured soldier, and grumpy and withdrawn old man. The way Nicky Pearson handles the difficult circumstances in his life are why I think he is an Enneagram 5.
Nicky and Jack’s Relationship
The relationship between Nicky and Jack is highly indicative of a relationship between an Enneagram 5 and an Enneagram 8. Both personalities seem likely to result from the volatility caused by their abusive father. While Jack responds by becoming a protector, Nicky responds by retreating into his mind. He idolized Jack, but he also felt overshadowed by his strength.
We see multiple demonstrations of this dynamic. For example, in Season 3, Episode 11, we flashback to the boys when they are little. Jack wants to play football, and Nicky just wants to sit and read. He doesn’t want to play, because he doesn’t think he is physically able. This is a pretty typical dynamic between a Type 8 and a Type 5. We also see it play out during their time in Vietnam.
His Time in Vietnam
Nicky spends a lot of time (understandably) worried about getting drafted into Vietnam. This would be a scary proposition for most people, but that fear is heightened in an Enneagram 5. The basic fear of helplessness or incompetence couldn’t help but be triggered by the prospect. When the inevitable does finally occur, Nicky does not dodge the draft, as Jack encourages him to do (Season 3, Episode 4.) However, Nicky’s Vietnam flashbacks highlight how Nicky does escape.
As a person who tries to deeply understand how the world works, it is understandable that Nicky, as an Enneagram 5, would struggle to make sense of what is happening in Vietnam. It is overwhelming and scary, and it is difficult to physically withdraw. So Nicky takes drugs… lots of them. This ends up meaning he is mentally withdrawn even though he is unable to physically leave. The fact that he turns to drugs is also indicative of the Type 5 moving to Type 7 in stress. He then ends up part of a terrible accident that leaves a little boy dead (Season 3, Episode 11.) In turn, he does get sent home, and he isolates himself from almost everyone for many years.
Moon Landing and Space
Season 5, Episode 11 also demonstrates many of Nicky Pearson’s other Enneagram 5 qualities. He is fascinated with the moon landing, and he learns all about the details of how it will work. It shows both the tendency to master knowledge about something, and a way to appear competent to his father. His attempt to connect over his model of the lunar module and the moon landing is reflected when he is an old man, too.
His captivation with space and the moon landing become a way he tries to connect with Kevin’s kids. He dedicates his energy to create a meticulous space-themed snow globe (and a farm one) as a gift for his great-niece and great-nephew. Even though they are still babies, he tells them about the moon landing and how amazing it was. It is at this point where we also see Nicky’s personal step to stop withdrawing, referring to them as “my moon” (Season 5, Episode 11.)
First Meeting with the Pearson Kids
In Season 3, Episode 11, we see a flashback to Jack visiting him in that same trailer many times before. He gets extremely frustrated when trying to make Jack understand what happened in Vietnam. His inability to communicate his internal reality is also indicative of an Enneagram 5. When he can’t connect with the older brother he adores, he sends Jack away and fully isolates himself.
Kevin, Kate, and Randall show up to see Nicky in that same episode. They find a withdrawn, isolated old man. He is truly at the very unhealthy levels of an Enneagram 5 by this point in his life. He has thoroughly removed himself from others, living disconnected in a trailer away from everyone else. Even though he invites them in, he clearly doesn’t want them or stay or connect with them. They do leave, but later return to find him drunk with a gun. He is ready to fully escape, but this is also a turning point toward better things for him.
Part of the Family
Nicky does eventually start to show signs of an Enneagram 5 moving toward health. One hallmark Type 5 characteristic is not asking for help because they don’t want to rely on others. Even though he is initially extremely resistant to them, he starts to integrate into the Pearson family. We know this because the show flashes forward in Season 3, Episode 18, at which point he is clearly part of the Pearson clan.
Over the course of the next three seasons, we learn more about how Nicky becomes part of the family. Mostly through Kevin’s persistence, Nicky slowly starts to form a bond with him. Although he does it begrudgingly a lot of the time, the two form a bond. In the end, Nicky ends up helping build the Pearson Family Compound, showing growth as an Enneagram 5 by becoming more hands-on. He also eventually marries, another sign of growth. This demonstrates a Type 5 integrating to Type 8. It creates a nice full-circle moment into becoming a little more like his big brother.
Nicky Pearson’s Journey
Throughout Nicky’s storylines on This Is Us, we truly see the journey that an Enneagram Type 5 might follow moving from unhealthy to healthy levels. We see his struggle with the challenges of Type 5s – the choice between retreating from reality or engaging with it. He goes from hiding in his brother’s shadow, withdrawing into his mind, and isolating himself to a loving, connected family member who takes action and participates in the world.
* I also utilize The Wisdom of the Enneagram for analysis
