As one of my FAVORITE TV shows wrapped up last night, I felt the need to write my own version of a review. “This is Us” premiered on September 20, 2016 and it quickly became one of my favorites. I knew I was hooked after watching the first episode. In an opening of less than an hour, there was so much story and so much emotion, that I just knew I needed to see more. To me, that is what brilliant writing does. It makes your mind crave more !Last night, almost 6 years later, as I watched the final episode, I have to say that this show and storyline never disappointed. I can’t say enough about the writing. Simple, yet powerful on so many levels. So much meaning and depth, so much emotion, so much to think about. The journey of a family of 5. Their unconditional love for one another, their joys and hopes, challenges and disappointments, and the many sorrows they faced throughout their life. Their “story”.
It showed us how human lives are intertwined in this world. How some people come into your life and change your path forever. It showed how something you do, not realizing it’s meaning or significance, can alter so much in years to come. Small things can become so meaningful and big things can lose significance over time. It portrayed the love of family and the strength one gets from it . The bond that is never broken. And the heartbreak, sorrow and devastation that follow the loss of loved ones. This resonated with me, on so many levels.
So many real and everyday life challenges were portrayed so brilliantly. First, the character of “Jack”, his story, his struggles and his unconditional love for his family… And then there was “William”. And, my God ! I still can’t think about William without tears. How do you build a character who was a drug addict and left his new born son at the fire station, into someone who you fall in-love with ? This is what the show did. This is what powerful writing does. This is what I mean when I say, we ALL have a “story”.
Just because some people prefer to keep their story private, it doesn’t mean their story doesn’t exist. It just means it lives within their heart and mind, and maybe, just maybe, it’s too painful or difficult to be shared. There are so many lessons to be learned. But, I would like to share my top three: 1- Be aware that we don’t know it all, and never will. But always strive to learn more. 2- Be open to ideas that deviate from yours. They just might be great ones at the end. 3- And finally, just be kind. Because at the end of the day, when you look in the mirror, do YOU like who you see ?
I would like to end this with a line from Randall, after his mom’s funeral: “If someone asks me to close my eyes and picture my family, it’s not Beth and the girls I see first. My first picture is mom and dad and the two of you.” 
