It is hard to talk about “This Is Us” without enthusiastically praising the show. It’s about life, family, bonds, and, above all, identification. After six seasons I can say that it is one of the best series of all time and that we will miss it a lot.
“This Is Us” is about me, you, and anyone else, and that is something special.
What’s the show about?
First of all, here’s a brief synopsis of the series, for those of you who haven’t seen it and don’t know what it’s about:
“This is Us”, a drama series created by Dan Fogelman, follows the daily lives of the Pearson family through the past, present, and future. After the death of one of their triplets during childbirth, Rebecca (Mandy Moore) and Jack (Milo Ventimiglia) decide to adopt a newborn that has just been rescued by firefighters. During the episodes, we face the problems and dilemmas of the Pearsons as a family and also the private lives of their children as adults: Randall (Sterling K. Brown), Kevin (Justin Hartley), and Kate (Chrissy Metz).
Now that you know a little bit about the series, do yourself a favor and go watch it!
Script
Each series has its special ingredient, and the ingredient of “This Is Us” is its brilliant script.
I believe the series has one of the best pilot episodes and one of the best endings are ever written – and, believe it or not, what comes between the beginning and the end is just as perfect. Every time I thought it couldn’t get any better, the next episode screamed “of course, it can get better”.
The time travel, paramount to the series, is written in the most beautiful way possible. Past events blend with present events and teach viewers life lessons. The time jumps to the future gave a taste of “I want more” and piqued the fan’s curiosity. Best of all, everything – absolutely everything – made sense in the end.
It’s a combination of the big things with the little details. It is the true and sentimental monologues that give color to the universe of the series. It’s the ordinary days, the tragic events, and the wonderful happenings that make the series so realistic and so beautiful.
In addition to a perfect script, “This Is Us” has the perfect cast.
But what would a good script be without excellent actors?
First I need to praise the casting directors, who simply nailed the choice of actors. It’s just unbelievable how the younger ones look like their older selves – it even seems like an act of fate. The cast has young actors and older and more experienced ones, but they are all ridiculously good. Each artist’s performance gets better, rawer, and truer every season – it’s hard to remember that it’s a made-up story of a family that doesn’t exist.
The complexity and uniqueness of each character are exceptionally executed by all the actors – young and old. Each scene is truly an acting class.
I think it’s already clear that the cast of “This Is Us” is really one of the best of all time and that everyone is very talented, but now I need to highlight Mandy Moore’s performance. What an actress. Honestly one of the best actresses of the generation.
Mandy and her character, Rebecca, are the true soul of the series. She manages to differentiate and execute the different “Rebeccas” (past, present, and future) magically. It’s a spectacle to see Mandy Moore acting. It’s absurd that she still hasn’t taken home an Emmy for her performance on the show – maybe this year, I’m rooting for her.
What “This Is Us” means to me
I started “This Is Us” in the middle of 2020, during quarantine. Life was chaotic and the series worked as a soft and comfortable blanket that warmed my heart. Each episode made me feel more connected to my life, my family, and my friends. Every tear (and I can guarantee that many came out of my eyes), every laugh, and every reflection made my affection and love for the show grow.
There is a certain comfort in knowing that your questions, fears, flaws, and mistakes are also those of other people – and that’s where the premise of the series comes in: identification.
It’s impossible to watch “This Is Us” without identifying with at least one topic – of the many – addressed during the series. It’s a punch in the stomach at the same time as a caress in the soul and heart. This was – and still is – how I felt watching it.
Whenever I can, I recommend the series. I believe that giving it a try should be mandatory.
Of course, we will miss it…
It’s hard not to miss something outstanding that makes you so happy. Although from the beginning, the audience knew that the series would end in its sixth season, it was painful to accept the end. The Pearson family has gained thousands of honorary members worldwide and it’s just sad to say goodbye.
“This Is Us” is a true work of art and one that will live on forever.
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The article above was edited by Milena Casaca.
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