This week, NBC released the highly anticipated season 4 premiere of This Is Us titled ‘Strangers’, and boy did they deliver! I discovered the show earlier this year and have been hooked ever since. It’s truly been the only television show to make me cry and I can’t say that’s an easy task. (Especially having worked in the industry) While the episodes can put you through an emotional rollercoaster, it also makes you appreciate the beauty of life’s sometimes unpredictable circumstances. That’s what life is really, a series of events that even when planned carefully, can still breed a variable of outcomes.
Rebecca Pearson (Mandy Moore) captures the essence of the show perfectly stating,”It’s so strange isn’t it? How just like that, a complete stranger can become such a big part of your story. It’s actually kind of terrifying-how a single cross with one person you’ve never met, can change everything.” Now if reading that didn’t just give you the chills, you should definitely watch the premiere! This Is Us is and always has been chalked filled with life lessons, surprising twists and an undeniably stellar cast who bring the show to life. I can honestly say this show is one for the ages, and I don’t say that lightly.
Diving into the season 4 premiere, I knew based on the previously released trailer that we would be introduced to never before seen characters. Of course, the writers don’t give up that information that easy. Watching the episode, we soon learn to understand who exactly these new characters are and how they’re connected to the already established Pearson family.
The episode opens with a previous scene of 1970s Jack (Milo Ventimiglia) and Rebecca coming home from their journey from Pittsburgh to Los Angeles. We’ve known for 4 seasons now that Rebecca has been trying to make it as a singer, this would be one of many foreshadowings of this premiere episode. As Rebecca and Jack return home to Pittsburgh, she explains how one cross with someone can alter their story forever. This is again, another foreshadowing to a few events that we see down the road. (but let’s continue) While Rebecca is talking to Jack, the scene intercuts with our first new character who we discover is blind. As he is making breakfast, he drops his plate resulting in his trip the diner where he soon meets his future wife, a waitress working at the diner.
One of my favorite aspects of This Is Us is it’s ability to perfectly weave together storylines without being confusing or disorienting. At this point in the show, fans can expect the a-typical style of cutting from past, present and even the future as this has been an ongoing theme over the past few seasons.
The show also introduces two more main characters: Cassidy (Jennifer Morrison), a struggling military officer and Malik (Asante Blackk), a Philadelphia born teen who we soon discover is a young father. Each of these characters are perfectly crafted throughout the episode and in less than an hour, you already form a close bond with both of them. The This Is Us writers strike again!
As the episode continues, the story uncovers some pretty big reveals including that the young blind male we are introduced to in the beginning, is actually Kate and Toby’s son, Jack Damon. (We learn this through several interweaving scenes of both present and future Jack Damon) We also find out that Malik has a brief crossover with Randall and Beth’s adopted daughter Deja, who meets Malik at a barbecue in Philadelphia. While the meaning of what their future holds is unknown, it appears that the two are smitten with each other. (Is a new Pearson romance in the air?)
A third reveal is discovered as Jack is seen shopping for a sport coat at local shop where, none other than Miguel Rivas (Jack’s longtime best friend) works. However, in this period of time, the two future best friends meet for the very first time as Miguel let’s Jack borrow the coat for a formal dinner meeting with Rebecca’s parents. The fourth and final reveal is Cassidy’s crossover with the Pearson family. During her AA meeting at a local veteran center, the session is quickly interrupted by a chair smashing through the window. The camera then pans to show Nicky Pearson as the one at fault. Now, this one may be a bit of a stretch but, my prediction as to how exactly this crossover will come to greater fruition is by the help of Nicky’s nephew, Kevin (Justin Hartley) who comes to save him. We know in season 3 flash forwards that Kevin eventually has a son but, the mother (at least in this pointing time) is unknown. Could Kevin’s trip to save his uncle Nicky result in a possible crossover with Cassidy who will become the mother of his child? We shall wait and see!
Circling back to Rebecca’s revelation of life crossovers, the whole purpose of the season premiere is to uncover the truth behind some of life’s craziest encounter and events. Essentially none of these relationships (both friendship and romantic) would have happened hadn’t it been for some happenstance of events. Had it not been for Jack and Rebecca meeting, Jack may have never crossed paths with Miguel on his way to buy a coat. If Jack Damon hadn’t dropped the plate that morning, he most likely wouldn’t have gone to the diner and met his future wife and mother of his child. One of the best scenes of this episode seeing the broken plate put back together and in a frame in Jack’s bedroom; symbolizing that without it, he wouldn’t have met his wife. Also, Cassidy visited the veterans center that morning, she would have never crossed paths with Nicky. Lastly, hadn’t Malik’s dad let him go to the barbecue, he may not have met Deja. All of these crossovers are connected to the Pearsons in some way and it’s amazing how the writers keep you so emotionally invested and at the edge of your seat the whole time!
While this season 4 premiere certainly fulfilled my expectations, it raised so many important questions! (good ones) I enjoyed the episode’s ending as Jack Damon takes the stage in front of thousands of adoring fans. This coming full circle to Rebecca and Kate’s dream to make it as a big time singer. Again, the writers never seize to amaze! Music has always been in the Pearson’s blood! I truly can’t wait to see what else the This Is Us writers have in store for the rest of this season and its characters. Just when you think you have it figured out, theres always new dots to be connected! I truly don’t think I’ve seen this caliber of writing since Breaking Bad and I am thrilled! It’s shows like This Is Us that make wanting to work in the industry, that much more exciting.
What did you think? Did the season 4 premiere of This Is Us keep you on your toes?Watch the Season 4 Episode 2 trailer below in anticipation for this week’s new episode!
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