This is Us — Exploring Life and its Hard Moments
Like many people, I find myself emotionally invested in the hit show This is Us. It is CBS’s hit drama that is currently airing its second season on Tuesday nights. The show follows the Pearson family from the start of their family to present day when the children are all grown. Each character has many layers that are explored throughout the duration of the show. Each episode has different flashback moments that help paint a clearer picture of who the Pearson family is and how they got to be who they are in present times. The parents particularly provide interesting insight into the time and the relationship between husband and wife.
Anyone who watches the show can quickly notice and commend the show for taking on so many difficult storylines. Each character has a deep storyline and each character has its own set of difficulties to face. It all starts with the father, Jack Pearson. Jack seems like the all-american dad and in many ways he is. He loves his wife and his children and will do anything to protect them and make them happy. In reality, Jack struggles with being an alcoholic. There are times in the show where he lashes out in rage because of jealousy. His jealousy and the alcoholism are key factors in the issues in his relationship with his wife, Rebecca.
Rebecca is a loyal wife and mother. She is the stereotypical mother who would give anything for her kids and her husband and in this case she gives up a career. Rebecca chooses to be a mom full time and she decides to stop working. There is nothing wrong with this and I think a parent wanting to stay home and choose to be a full time parent should be commended. Parenting isn’t easy and being a full time mom is a career for Rebecca. Before choosing to be a full time mom, Rebecca was constantly singing and making an effort to become a singer. It was her dream. A major issue in Rebecca and Jack’s marriage comes from Rebecca’s career. After the kids are born and have grown up a little bit, Rebecca gets offered to rejoin her old band and start singing again. Jack had a hard time understanding Rebecca wanting to start singing again, but she decided it was time for her to do something for herself for once.
Rebecca and Jack clash often due to her insecurities about being a mother and his ability to be an amazing dad without even trying. Throughout the show so far, there have been multiple fights and some have been particularly frustrating to watch, but at the end of the day, these two characters always seem to work it out and they both do some compromising.
A big issue that I am glad the show talked about is Rebecca’s desire to pursue her career after her children have grown up and are in the teen years. I think it is important to see how hard it can be and I think it is important to understand that Jack having issues with it isn’t okay. Rebecca shouldn’t have to give up all of her dreams for her marriage and family. Jack needed to support her and her dreams.
Overall, I recommend This is Us. It follows a family that anyone can relate to. The issues they face and how they deal with them are all situations that are very real and have happened to families. The show explores and does its best to confront difficult situations that are tough to talk about.
