Television is not my life, but I rather enjoy watching. Like the patrons of the arts relish the lights, the auditorium seating and the acoustics found in the theater, I enjoy seeing trained professionals bring a story to life — only this time on my flat-screen that I waited so long to own. It’s theater, but carefully crafted and perfected theater and I can watch it in the privacy of my own home.
You’ve probably heard about this fan-favorite television show called This Is Us. It’s an up-close and time-leaping look at one American family. While watching just about any episode of the past two seasons, I’ve found myself laughing, throwing my hands up in the air, saying, “YES!!!”, smiling, hooting, hollering and, yes, crying. It’s a pass-me-a-hanky show.
I hear what you’re saying: “Ho-hum. I’m not a crier. Why bother?”
This show, with all its jumping around from the Pearson family from the early days of matrimony to the birthing of the triplets (including the death of one and the serendipitous adopting of another boy dropped off at the hospital like a “safe haven” baby) is basically about fatherhood.
Dad is the hero.
While several other stories within a story come to the foreground, Jack Pearson is the flawed, quiet yet loving constant. He’s not a saint. He’s just a normal guy that got it — that his wife and family were high priority. I like to call it “putting your family at #2” — just under God the Father. This placement, while appearing to be second place from our perspective, is so high up there that you can’t even see a gap.
This Is Us is a rallying cry for love, family and community. Any given episode features at least one scene that would go over great in a church service on the big screen — giving us an example of how it might be done, how it should be done and just an example of how it could be done.
In the foreground we might see Kevin’s fumbling of his love life. He’s a natural born heart throb, gifted with good looks and talent that he’s painfully aware of (the pain is all ours, or the people around him that get used, taken for granted or have to bear with his it-all-comes-easy nonchalance). His father affirms him and helps redirect him from career-shattering high school football injury into whatever his next thing is that he will excel in (which turns out to be acting).
Sister Kate struggles with her image. Dealing with her weight, for example, or trying to follow her mom’s footsteps into a singing career — it gets bookended with memories of how her father affirmed her and let her know she was beautiful, special and important in his eyes. It gave her a foundation to build her life on and see beyond her issues and struggles.
Brother Randall is the third child adopted and born the same night Kevin and Kate were. He’s a black child raised by a white family with nary an apology or awkward moment given by his family. He thrives in acceptance — the kind given through unconditional love, but also the kind given by accepting the facts and facing head-on any hurdles or challenges the world around them brings.
All the flashbacks from childhood to adult life for any of the characters balance out the life story that warms the heart of the audience by reminding them of what’s important and how we are basically shaped in this world. It’s easy to fall in love with the characters, wincing or cheering at their choices that play out. Some of them are very surprising.
How many of you started guessing how Jack the dad would disappear from the picture once it became apparent that he wasn’t around physically for his children’s adult life? First I guessed a divorce stemming from his drinking or his wife’s second attempt at a musician’s touring life. Then a single car drunk driving accident seemed to be the next logical outcome. Would it be sickness? How about a house fire? The show drops little hints to foretell what’s coming, but oftentimes it’s done with slight of hand or trickery just to throw you off the trail.
There’s some cool music, fun All-American family snapshots and laughter along the way. There’s even some light-handed social commentary, but the preaching the show does is how important fathers are. Jack Pearson is the hero in this show. My heart wells up with pride, excitement and inspiration as a result. Isn’t it about time that we had a dad hero? I love it.
Wanna find out for yourself, click here.
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