Spoiler Warning for Season 2 of “This Is Us.”
Milo Ventimiglia as Jack Pearson and Mandy Moore as Rebecca Pearson. (Photo by NBC/Ron Batzdorff)
When one thinks about the power of television, NBC’s “This Is Us” should be a series that comes to mind due to its ability to connect with audiences in a way that feels personal and real. This was apparent when the show first premiered back in 2016, but the recently-wrapped Season 2 only builds upon that and becomes one of the most relatable and emotional stories to air on television recently. Not only does this season deliver in terms of story, it stands as one of the strongest acting ensembles to hit the small-screen.
Family dramas are nothing new to television, but “This Is Us” feels fresh and unlike anything else. A huge reason for this is the dynamic between the characters, something that viewers can relate to and feel connected to. Sure, this is still a fictional story, but their problems and highpoints are what ordinary people go through on a daily basis; Randall’s anxiety, Kevin’s alcoholism and Kate’s body image issues are all real life struggles that when portrayed like they are in “This Is Us,” make people feel less alone. And then there’s the death of Jack (which is finally explained in Season 2), which that adds even more brutal realism to the series as grief, trauma and guilt are put on full display and shown through the eyes of the Pearson family.
Justin Hartley as Kevin Pearson. (Photo by NBC/Ron Batzdorff)
Speaking of Jack’s death, it does open up a bit of an issue with the series in that the build up to it and the general mystery surrounding it feels somewhat gimmicky. By the time the moment finally rolls around mid-season, viewers have been aware of his demise for some time and have basically mourned him several times over. The series has done big mysteries and this season introduces even more, which do take away some of the simplicity and charm of the story itself. Hopefully “This Is Us” sticks to its roots and strays away from becoming a “gotcha!” show where viewers tune in to see nothing but plot twists. That being said, the quality of storytelling make it clear that this is likely to not happen anytime soon as the focus still seems to be on the characters.
What Season 2 of “This Is Us” does it add additional layers to each of the characters. Kevin is a perfect example of this in that the reasoning for his selfish persona is explained and given context via flashbacks to his childhood and teen years; this also helps to explain his current alcoholism and spiraling mental state. Kate’s difficulty talking about her father is also explored through the events leading up to his death, showing why she feels so much grief and responsibility for what happened. Randall also has significant developments as he and Beth take in a young foster child named Deja, who has her own issues that the show also explores. The reason this series connects with people so much is that it has this ability to tell the stories of the characters in a way that feels extremely personal and realistic; life isn’t easy to get through or understand, and “This Is Us” makes that clear with the stories that it presents.
Susan Kelechi Watson as Beth Pearson, Lyric Ross as Deja and Sterling K. Brown as Randall Pearson. (Photo credit: Photo by NBC/Ron Batzdorff)
Quite possibly the best aspect of “This Is Us” is the incredible performances from what is likely the best ensemble on television at the moment. Literally every member of the cast is consistently great, and the series gives everyone their own individual moment to shine. Sterling K. Brown is a masterclass in his portrayal of Randall, perfectly blending his dad humor with the seriousness and emotions of his struggle with anxiety and being a foster parent. Susan Kelechi Watson is an underrated gem, pulling a ton of punches in her performance as Beth and hitting so many hilarious humor notes. Justin Hartley really proves himself to be a remarkable performer as Kevin this season, specifically in the heartbreaking episode “Number One.”Milo Ventimiglia also deserves praise for making viewers so attached to his character of Jack before ripping him away. However, the absolute standout of this season is Mandy Moore, who gives quite possibly the best depiction of shock and grief in recent memory; all of her material in “Super Bowl Sunday” showcases her absolute raw talent as Rebecca.
Jack, Rebecca, Kate, Randall, Kevin, etc. feel real because they are us and we are them. Season 1 of “This Is Us” introduced us to the characters and Season 2 makes us fall in love with them even more. The interwoven relationships make the stories feel richer and more tangible than many other stories that are similar to this. Each episode feels full of life and serves to teach viewers more about the fascinating life of the Pearson family and its members, but also one’s own life. This is the type of series that can go on for many years, because of the growth and expansion of the story, as demonstrated this season with the introduction of the future timeline. In terms of acting and writing, “This Is Us” is the very definition of what television should be. It’s a carefully crafted drama that takes its time and doesn’t stray away from tough subjects; that’s more of what we need on television right now.
“This Is Us” is currently available to stream on Hulu.