Throughout its first season, “This Is Us” captured viewers’ attention and hearts, and it’s evident this season won’t be any different.
In the first scene from its Sept. 26 season two premiere, viewers are greeted by fan-favorite and Randall Pearson’s biological father, William Hill, who lost his battle with cancer in season one. He is narrating a poem he wrote, which is used to emphasize his legacy through his work and highlight the show’s overall theme of love.
In a cyclical fashion this season begins on the morning of the three Pearson children’s birthdays and follows them throughout their days. The season also continues to seamlessly flow between past and present from scene to scene.
Throughout the episode, we begin to see faults in Jack and Rebecca’s relationship. Viewers of past seasons have seen Jack portrayed as the seemingly perfect husband and father, while Rebecca was villainized for returning to her singing career with her ex-boyfriend.
In this episode, however, Jack’s drinking problem becomes more evident, and Rebecca reclaims her identity through singing. This plot line is not only excellent writing for character development, but it creates more relatable characters for viewers to identify with.
Randall’s focus on replicating what his fathers did for him through adoption blinds him toward Beth’s opposition to it.
Viewers see Beth in a flashback talking to William, emphasizing how Randall often doesn’t ask permission before making huge life changes, like bringing William and Kevin into their home.
These scenes give Randall a more humanized feel. He, like Jack, is often seen as perfect, and instances like these are a surprising yet likable variation in his character and a place in the plot that will hopefully continue as he learns new things about himself and his marriage.
In season one, Kevin’s drive to become a more serious actor and the reconnection with his family and himself draws viewers in. In this episode, however, he’s still hung up on this concept. Thus far, Kevin has shown to be the most underdeveloped character on the show, lacking depth and originality. Hopefully, with the rekindling of his relationship with his wife, we will see him grow.
For me, Kate, like Kevin, lacked depth. Her focus on her weight has made her dependent on Kevin well into her adult years. In this episode, Kate again allows her weight to inhibit her progression. However, toward the end of the episode she begins to show development, attempting to break away from these negative thoughts.
In season one, Kate had many moments where she showed growth, but she often typically regresses. I’d like to see her develop into a character that is more than her size.
It’s possible Kate and Kevin are so underdeveloped considering they’re still incredibly attached to one another, as they were in season one. Their growing apart might help them become more independent as characters.
Finally, the moment many viewers have been waiting for with tissues in hand was revealed: the cause of Jack’s death. Viewers seemingly get the full story, but strategically placed clips of Kevin in a cast and Jack’s artifacts in an evidence bag leads the audience to believe there’s more to come.
Overall, this was an interesting season premiere, emphasizing the hope of deeper character development as well as heavy, emotional moments to come.
