jakob
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Post by jakob on May 4, 2017 21:20:53 GMT
Only 3 episodes in so far, but this cast is phenomenal and the show is immediately investing.
Sterling K. Brown
Chrissy Metz
Mandy Moore
Milo Ventimiglia
Justin Hartley
Ron Cephas Jones
Chris Sullivan
Susan Kelechi Watson
EDIT: Not too big a change, but I'll move Jones above Hartley now that I've finished the season.
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AKenjiB
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Post by AKenjiB on May 6, 2017 5:05:13 GMT
Sterling K. Brown
Ron Cephas Jones
Chrissy Metz
Mandy Moore
Milo Ventiniglia
Chris Sullivan
Susan Kelechi Watson
Justin Hartley
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Post by levpoldkahnt on May 6, 2017 11:01:49 GMT
Ron Cephas Jones
Sterling K. Brown
Susan Kelechi Watson
Chrissy Metz
Milo Ventimiglia
Justin Hartley
Chris Sullivan
Mandy Moore
Its very close though. Spectacular ensemble.
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jakob
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Post by jakob on May 8, 2017 7:05:10 GMT
Having now finished the season, I can say that I'm very attached to every character and the show was a warm, pleasant heart-tugger every single episode (if you have dry eyes after "Memphis" I don't believe you're human). Overall, terrific show... BUT...
COME ON WITH THAT SEASON FINALE. WTF WAS ALL THAT GODDMAN BUILDUP FOR? So now arcs are left hanging and a mystery I thought would give great catharsis to the arc of the first season is now going to be a baity series mystery? Give me a damn break. I could feel the manipulation of the show at that point in ways I'd accepted and embraced before but now feel a little distasteful. Nonetheless, I love the Pearson family so much, of course I'll be tuning in again.
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jakob
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Post by jakob on May 11, 2017 3:14:53 GMT
jakobstvbinge.blogspot.com/2017/05/this-is-us.html?view=flipcardI am a very big fan of the film Parenthood which makes it all the more shocking that I've never seen NBC's television adaptation that became a ginormous audience favorite. That series wrapped a few years ago, and while fans mourned the loss of their favorite family drama, NBC decided to recapture that magic and provide us with a brand new addictive, heart-tugging series about a family struggling with and enjoying life's adventures in This is Us. After seeing just the pilot episode, I was already attached to these characters and their lives-- a rare feat by any television series past and present. Usually shows take their time (perhaps three episodes) before we as viewers decide to officially take the plunge and invest an hour of our day into a character's journey. I was in it within the first half hour. If you don't know what the show is about, stop reading and start watching, or read anyway. The surprise of the end of the pilot had me on board for 17 more episodes, no hesitation whatsoever.
This is Us follows Sterling K. Brown as Randall, a married man with two daughters who has recently discovered the whereabouts of his biological father. It follows Chrissy Metz as Kate, a woman struggling with her weight, while being a personal assistant to Kevin, an actor with a disastrous love life who has just been fired from his hit show. It also follows Jack and Rebecca, a couple who are in the process of birthing triplets. The twist? Jack and Rebecca lose one of the infants before it is conceived and decide to adopt a third baby that winds up in the hospital's care that same day. They name him Randall. The other two? You guessed it: Kevin and Kate. Here is their story.
The show is unashamedly an emotional roller coaster every... single... episode. Yes, it does start to lose its impact as the show progresses, but every few episodes later, it will pull you right back in again with a moment that will hit you like a ton of bricks. The last time I teared up at a show was the finale of LOST, so color me surprised when I'm getting misty eyed at a scene with a father and his son at karate or a woman banging sticks on the ground at a weight loss camp. Don't even get me started on the episode entitled "Memphis" in which... well... when it ends, you will be looking everywhere for a box of Kleenex.
Most of this emotion is sold from the cast. Sterling K. Brown is the anchor of this show and definitely the series' best performer. It seems his work on The People vs. OJ Simpson: American Crime Story was just a warm-up. His Randall is beautifully realized, full of charisma and heartbreak. Chrissy Metz as Kate is a revelation. Milo Ventimigilia and Mandy Moore have soaring chemistry as the parents Jack and Rebecca. Justin Hartley as Kevin finds depth to what could have been a pretty shallow character. Ron Cephas Jones as Randall's biological father William is a performance that grows massive new layers with each episode.
The show isn't perfect, though. It's addictive, for sure. But let's talk about where the show needs improvement. Drama for the sake of drama works best when characters are still making believable decisions and in this show, everyone is believable, so no fault there. But man, at times you do have to step back and say "okay, writers, was that so necessary?" And the way the show baits you is both enjoyable and maddening. Not as bad as 13 Reasons Why, but you tell me that after watching the finale, part of you didn't want to throw a shoe at your television screen. Yes, the biggest flaw of the show comes at the end. There is a mystery that is built up from the second episode on and when it finally seems like we're going to get answers, we get slapped with a big ol' "maybe next season." This changes the entire structure of the show's story from "season one actually has an arc" to "season one is just introductory stuff". It's frustrating, but I like the Pearson family too much to let it get me down.
NBC has a massive hit on their hands. One that I believe will last them as long as their previous family drama effort. It all depends on if they can deliver Season Two with the same freight train impact that this show was able to accomplish with just its pilot episode. And I fully expect the Emmys are going to treat this one well.8.5/10
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AKenjiB
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Post by AKenjiB on May 12, 2017 7:47:13 GMT
Having now finished the season, I can say that I'm very attached to every character and the show was a warm, pleasant heart-tugger every single episode (if you have dry eyes after "Memphis" I don't believe you're human). Overall, terrific show... BUT... COME ON WITH THAT SEASON FINALE. WTF WAS ALL THAT GODDMAN BUILDUP FOR? So now arcs are left hanging and a mystery I thought would give great catharsis to the arc of the first season is now going to be a baity series mystery? Give me a damn break. I could feel the manipulation of the show at that point in ways I'd accepted and embraced before but now feel a little distasteful. Nonetheless, I love the Pearson family so much, of course I'll be tuning in again. Yeah the season finale was pretty disappointing. Hope it's just a small misstep and not hinting at a weaker second season. |
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jakob
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Post by jakob on Jan 25, 2018 20:28:17 GMT
Okay, just watched this week’s episode and I had heard it was the penultimate episode before Jack’s death and I was ready to get emotional (as always) but once “To Build A Home” started playing (which yes is overplayed but always gets me) I was an absolute wreck.
Guys, if they pull off the next episode in spades, I may be crying for a whole month. I honestly wasn’t expecting to actually choke up the way I did with this week. I’ve just now realized how not ready I am for the inevitable and all I have to say is kudos to Milo Ventimiglia who has given to life one of televisions best current characters. He’s a shoo-in for an Emmy nomination next year and you know they’ll use next episode as his Emmy submission and with that, he could win.
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AKenjiB
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Post by AKenjiB on Jan 26, 2018 0:34:22 GMT
I’m kinda nervous for the upcoming episode. I feel it’s either going to be really emotionally powerful or really cheesy and over the top. Or maybe both depending on who you ask. Still, at least the big mystery will finally be solved and we can see how the show develops post-mystery.
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jakob
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Post by jakob on Feb 5, 2018 17:19:11 GMT
I take it back, it’s not Milo Ventimigla’s Emmy submission, ITS MANDY MOORE’S.
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