By Parth Shah
As a TV show fanatic, I long for good shows that have strong acting, an appealing storyline and moments that touch your heart. Shows that make you smile and frown, make you leave baffled and enlighten you, are the ones you shouldn’t ever miss out on. NBC’s budding comedy & drama, This Is Us wrapped up its Season 1 in spectacular fashion and I, personally, cannot wait to watch Season 2 which is scheduled to start from September 26th. You can watch the show online on Hotstar or on Star World on your television sets (in India). It’s an 18-episode emotional ride with episodes lasting for 45 mins.
The show curiously revolves around people who share the same birthday and how they cope up with the turn of events that life offers them. It’s engaging, funny and very truthful. In this era of TV shows, where almost every drama have some dark plot or at least one character with an ominous past, This is Us, remains light and graceful even when tackling serious issues like alcoholism, stress disorders, etc. It’s a feel-good story at the end of the day. Yes, there’re and will be dark times but it’s the basic need of all the shows. The story touches your heart. You will cry. You will smile. You will feel delighted. I wish I could say more about the story but it’ll spoil the fun, especially the aesthetic appeal of the show.
The show has been beautifully directed and written. It feels almost like a movie but just well enough portrayed as it should be for a good TV show. I absolutely fell in love with the pilot (first) episode of this show and it was genuinely one of the best pilot episodes, I’ve ever seen. The characters and their situations in life are portrayed so elegantly and realistically, you’re bound to love them. The acting in this show is simply mind-blowing, especially Sterling K. Brown (Randell, in the show). He has captured every moment and expressed them in the best possible way. All the ups and downs in his life are felt by you and when that happens, you applaud the artist.
The Season 1 of This Is Us had 10 nominations for The Primetime Emmy awards, 3 nominations for The Golden Globe awards and it recently won People’s choice award and Television Critics Association award for Favourite New TV Drama and Outstanding New Program respectively. One of the favourites, Sterling K. Brown, won the Outstanding Actor in a Drama award.
As far as the recommendation goes, this show is a must watch for everyone. Those who’ve seen the show know it’s just a delight to watch characters like Kate, Kevin, Jack, Rebecca and William. This Is Us teaches us about issues such as stress disorders are and the devastating effects of cancer to the patient and others around. The show has its ups and downs but it leaves a genuine and involuntary smile at the end of every episode.
This Is Us is an underrated masterpiece that deserves to be watched and appreciated. I would rate it 4 stars out of 5 and urge everyone to tune in and enjoy the show.
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