'This is Us' Season 1 Spoiler-Free Review

Chances are 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
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Jack (as effortlessly embodied by Milo Ventimiglia) is the kind of underdog anyone would route for. And it sure helps that we're introduced to him in the most endearing of ways: receiving a lap-dance on his birthday.

What sets Jack apart is his character. Though young, he displays honour and integrity in a manner that's neither too pure (and therefore implausible), nor too rigid (and therefore unrelatable). It is evident from the first moment of meeting him that he's the person who understands and values the little things in life. That not only does he see and appreciate small moments, he cherishes them above what the rest of us might misperceive as happiness or success. He is the kind of man anyone would want in their lives. As a son, a father, a sibling, a friend, or a lover. Which brings us to:

REBECCA
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Portrayed by the lovely Mandy Moore:

But don't let her pretty face fool you. Rebecca has spunk. She isn't easy to sum up with an interaction or two. Right from the start she displays a multifaceted character and is often unwavering in her resolve. She knows who she is and what she wants. And yet she is malleable (and loving) enough to make tough sacrifices when life calls for it. Her chemistry with Jack can set your heart aflutter and tatter it seconds later when the realities of life become too heavy to shoulder. Realities we all have to stare in the face at some point in our lives.
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That brings us to:

KEVIN

Portrayed by Justin Hartley:

Kevin is an ideal example of someone growing disenchanted with the promise of fulfillment - someone who believes on a deeper level that he's destined for more than being a laughing stock. He is what most of us wish we could be: at the verge of something new - something equally exciting and terrifying. I'm certainly curious as to where his journey will take him.

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& KATE

Though at face-value you might expect Kate's character's journey to be about only one thing, time and subtle cues quickly prove that hunch to be short-sighted. We're looking at a multidimensional character, and I need to applaud Chrissy Metz for her authenticity in embodying Kate. The challenges her character faces are not only difficult, but highly prevalent in contemporary society. I'm proud of the writers for not glossing over these issues, and instead addressing the root causes which are often even more paralyzing than the issues themselves.

RANDALL

Last but not least, we have Randall (Sterling K. Brown) whose pristine and calculated life is about to be thrown into a wild tailspin. What makes him so instantly lovable is getting to see through his polished persona within minutes of introduction. We get to witness this deep yearning that keeps propelling him towards healing a wound he has carried his entire life. It's a difficult journey, and at times hard to watch through the tears. But it's meaningful, and therefore, absolutely worth it.

WHY THIS IS US IS REALLY ABOUT YOU (AND ME)

At first glance you might expect This is Us to be about family. And to some extent, it is. But I've come to recognize it as so much more than that. I think that at the heart of it, this compelling drama is about connections. Connections between people, connections between major life events and milestones, and even connections with the past.
 
Fragmented snapshots elucidate plot and character in a way that is often more effective than a linear narrative. Flashbacks (whether short bursts or episode-long) enrich the story instead of weigh it down. Contrary to logic, the meticulously selected backstories serve to fuel the episodes with momentum, and reinforce the theme without coming off as preachy. And that’s a difficult challenge nowadays. The way a show (procedural or serial) is structured, certain episodes can get so heavy with theme that it renders them predictable. In anticipation of a ‘lesson learned’ or a ‘wound healed’ the audience will see the twist coming a mile away. So it's refreshing as a viewer to instead feel like you've been invited into the lives of real people.


This show has heart, but it's masterfully nuanced. It exposes the messiness of love, the hidden beauty of loss, the heaviness of hope, and the comfort of fear. It asks questions we dare not ask ourselves...
 
Without the obstacles holding me back, who else do I have to blame for my failures?

What if I dare to believe in myself, and it turns out I never had what it takes to begin with?
 
What if doing my best isn’t enough?
 
What if in trying to shield someone from discrimination, I've done the exact opposite?

 
These questions are difficult to ask. Not because we may not like their answers, but because they often raise even more questions. And that's okay because in the process you've broadened your horizons.

So what's the verdict?

Watch the pilot. If you're not captivated by (especially the way it ends), then this is definitely not your genre. But if you are (like I was), make sure you have a box of tissues nearby.

​It's a cathartic experience.