Chances are that by now you've heard of (or been compelled by friends/family to watch) This is Us. But with all the options out there is it worth the investment? Lets find out! To preface, I happen to be a huge proponent of fragmented narrative. Prime examples would include the masterpieces of Christopher Nolan (ie. Memento, The Prestige) and Quentin Tarantino (Pulp Fiction). But what is fragmented narrative? Simply put, a story can either been told linearly (from A to B/start to finish) or broken up into pieces in a manner that allows for drawing connections between events and people. If you’ve watched AMC’s The Killing you’re well familiar with multiple storylines that move concurrently. And if you’re a sleuth at heart and live for twists that baffle and delight, then you’ll certainly appreciate this mode of storytelling. This is Us is not a crime mystery, though, so why a fragmented narrative? Because even crime mysteries are less about the crime and more about the people who committed it. Or were victimized by it. Affected, and changed by it. We watch shows because they allow for self-growth through vicarious experience of circumstances we'll likely never be in. For better, or for worse. Let’s start with our first all-star and my personal favorite: JACK |