I'd heard about this show on the radio. Apparently, it was supposed to be a show that defined our generation. A show that is heartfelt and shows what everyday life is supposed to be like. I watched the first episode, unaware of just how accurate and powerful it would actually be.
"This Is Us" depicts several stories, each with their own unique personality, as they go through different stages of their lives. It begins with Jack and Rebecca, a married couple expecting triplets. Their love is evident through their on-screen chemistry and general happiness that radiates with every word. Throughout the episode, you become more aware of the risks that having triplets brings, and you become more attached to the characters with every scene they are in.
Then there's Kate. Her first scene shows her weighing herself and desperately taking off her earrings to lower the pounds, an action many women nowadays can attest to. Her determination and confidence to lose her weight are inspiring, and it's her character that I expect to grow and progress the most throughout the series.
Kate's brother, Kevin, stars in a television show called Manny. In every scene he appears in, it is obvious that he doesn't want to end up in this "crap" for the rest of his life. Despite performing a moving and gut-wrenching scene, the producer's still want the fluff and meaningless story that makes Kevin feel empty.
Randall is a family man with two daughters, who is busy running a business and tracking down his long-lost dad who abandoned him at a fire station when he was merely a baby. His desperation to want to yell at his dad versus welcome him into his home is heartwarming and empowering. Despite the fact that he has an expensive car, a colossal house, and a loving family, he is still in need of his dad.
All of these characters entwine in some way or another and capture perfectly, a life that isn't so perfect. Every story has their difficulty and every story has something someone can connect to. Whether it's making huge leaps in your life, finding the drive to finally get up and better yourself, seeking a career you can be proud of or appreciating his family that little bit more, this show has it all.
The reviews were right. Laughter, tears, and strength embrace this show in ways I have never seen before. Reliability is key. Because life isn't perfect and shows that have appeared on television in the past have come off attempting to prove the opposite of that. We can't all live in New York City and have our dream job, we can't all have the family we always dreamed of and we can't all plan everything out. I know I am guilty of doing such a thing.
Life throws obstacles in our way sometimes and it's shows like "This Is Us" that prove that.
