Every Tuesday night, my friends and I squeeze into a dorm room, bring a variety of snacks and turn the T.V. on as loud as it goes to watch "This Is Us."
You may be wondering, how do college kids, who have a million classes, deadlines, tests to study for and essays to write have time to block out an hour of their Tuesday night to watch a T.V. show? In response, I would say that this is the type of show you make time for.
Plus, it is always nice to take a break and hang out with friends during a busy week, even though we can only talk during the commercials so we don't miss single detail of the show. If you didn't already know, here are eight reasons why "This Is Us" is the best show on television right now.
*Warning: Definitely contains spoilers!*
1. The Big Three
This set of triplets is one of the main focuses of the show. They each have their own issues, in life, love, family, etc., but all come together when they need support the most. Kevin, Randall and Kate Pearson remind us all of the relationships we have with our siblings and make us think about what is important in life.
2. Jack And Rebecca
They may not have the perfect marriage or be the perfect parents, but they sure are close. Jack is a fan favorite, always knowing the right thing to do or the right thing to say but he has his flaws.
These flaws, including his drinking and subsequent temper, are what makes him more relatable. Rebecca is always there for her children and husband, doing all that she can, but sometimes makes the wrong choices.
Showing a marriage that isn't completely perfect but also isn't completely torn apart is something that is pretty new for T.V. shows, making their characters all the better.
3. The Story
One of the magical aspects of "This Is Us" is that it shows character progression and development in different areas of the Pearson family's life.
It shows Jack and Rebecca before having kids, and the Big Three and their parents in their childhood, teenage years and then as adults. It gives you an inside glimpse into their lives and connects all the missing pieces as the story unfolds.
Plus, the casting of the different ages is absolutely amazing and the kids are just adorable!
4. The Writing
The dialog of the show is nothing short of spectacular.
I have never watched a show so intricate yet relatable and easy to understand before. It takes a special kind of talent to write something this amazing that leaves me speechless week after week.
There is never a bad episode or one that the writers seemed to have had an off week. Every single line of the show is important and without it, the story wouldn't make sense, which really shows the talent of the writing team.
5. It Makes You Cry...
I may be a crybaby, but I NEVER go an episode without crying.
I always think I will make it to the end without a single tear shed but I am always, always, always wrong.
"This Is Us" has a special talent of using the last few minutes to reveal something utterly heartbreaking and then leaving you in shambles when you realize the episode is over. The episode in the first season where William dies legitimately left me with mascara running down my face, a nose full of snot, a headache from all the ugly sobbing I had just done and some concerned friends.
But you know what, my tears are a cathartic experience and a testament to the writing team.
6. ...But It Also Makes You Laugh
Even in the most dramatic episodes, there is always comic relief built in that will make you laugh until your stomach hurts. Every character has his or her own sense of humor, which just adds to the real-life feel of the show.
Toby, shown above, is one of the best additions to the show not just because of his support and love for Kate, but because he is so ridiculously funny.
7. The Show Deals With Real Life Issues
This show really has it all. It talks about life, death, giving up a child, adoption, raising a child of another race, weight and identity issues, finding biological parents, raising children, relationships with family and significant others, marriage and that is just the tip of the iceberg with this show.
It deals with real problems in a way that we all can understand and learn from, which I think is unique to "This Is Us."
8. It Has The "It" Factor
I know, this sounds really dumb and doesn't make sense, but it is true. "This Is Us" has some quality about it that I can't explain that makes the show so intriguing and keeps watchers coming back each week.
Maybe it is the fact that the characters are so normal and not products of Hollywood perfection, or maybe it is how the heartwarming and heartbreaking stories are so intertwined with each other in a beautiful script, or maybe it is because we see a little bit of ourselves and our own lives in there characters.
Whatever it is, "This Is Us" has it.
