Rebecca and Jack are a couple in their early 30’s expecting three babies. That’s the beginning of This Is Us, a story that has two different timeline happening: at the present, with the 36 years old’ brothers and sister and at the end of the 70’s, with the young couple. It is always coming back and forth in time in a way that makes possible to understand the all story.
During the first episodes, we learn that Kevin is the handsome actor, starring a bad comedy sitcom; Kate is an obese woman trying to make a relationship work out despise her issues; and Randall is a black man who was adopted by a white family after his father dropped him at a fire station – that turned out to be a successful businessman. Together, they are “the big three”, as their father used to call them as children.
The cast is surprisingly good: Mandy Moore (A Walk to Remember) as Rebecca, Milo Ventimiglia (Gilmore Girls) as Jack, Sterling K. Brown (The People v. O.J. Simpson) as Randall, Justin Hartley (Revenge) as Kevin, Chrissy Metz (American Horror Story) as Kate, Susan Kelechi Watson (Louie) as Beth, Chris Sullivan (The Knick) as Toby and Ron Cephas Jones (Mr. Robot) as William. This Is Us was created by Dan Fogelman, who has the ability to bring an emotional tone to his productions, like The Neighbors (2012 – 2014) and Like Family (2003 – 2004).
This Is Us has a very well-constructed text, with deep dialogues and an intention to cause reflections at the audience. It is a simple tale about the Pearson family, that could only be a bland story compared to big success from television nowadays – like the one that have fantastic kingdom, political dramas, zombie apocalypse, supernatural monsters or super heroes. It’s just about a simple and kind man, that has dad issues of his own, and the impact that his life and death had on everyone around him.
This is Us shows there’s always much more complex issues behind a simple gesture or peculiarity of someone. The TV show is sensitive, sweet and accordingly heart touching. The big success comes from its veracity when talking about people, problems and family. It brings an honesty way to talk about subjects like obesity, sexuality, marriage, addictions, relationship between brothers, parents and sons. Therefore, it’s easy to understand why everybody can feel related and moved by the narrative.
Here in Brazil, you can watch This Is Us every Tuesday at 10:45 p.m. on Fox Life and on Fox streaming service, where all the episodes are already available. Season 2 is already airing at the United States, on NBC. We hope that it doesn’t take too long to come here.