THIS IS US, NOW AND THEN

THIS IS US — “The Best Washing Machine in the Whole World ” Episode 107 — Pictured: (l-r) Mandy Moore as Rebecca, Milo Ventimiglia as Jack — (Photo by: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)

Do you know “The Big Three?” If you do, you are probably a fan of the new hit series on NBC called This Is Us. This clever drama of the fictional Pearson family comes to TV from the directors and writers of the hit movie, Crazy, Stupid Love.
The Big Three are siblings Kate and Kevin born to Jack and Rebecca Pearson, and Randall adopted from the hospital nursery as a replacement for the deceased third triplet. What I love best about this show is how the writers have cleverly woven the past and present into the plot. It covers almost forty years from the beginning of the love story of newlyweds Jack and Rebecca to the present when their children have just turned thirty-six.
The worst thing a writer can do is to dump backstory at the beginning of a story. It needs to be given to the reader or viewer in bits and pieces. Every week on This Is Us, we get a glimpse into the past of the characters which influences their reactions to present situations. The season finale will air March 14, and I feel sure we will learn about the untimely death of super dad, Jack. So far, we know that whatever happened to him is too traumatic for Kate to discuss with her fiancé, Toby.
If you like subtle humor, gut-wrenching scenes, likeable characters, and plausible plot twist, you will love This Is Us. The good news for fans of the series is it has been signed for two more seasons. I can’t wait to see what develops in the lives of these characters.

Watch the official trailer for This Is Us.