Aaron and Esta from SpoilerFreeReviews watched, cried, and bonded over every episode of THIS IS US this past season. Here are their takes on season 5.
Overall season grade/thoughts:
Esta: This season was a mixed bag of emotional moments. It was not consistent. 😊
Aaron: I agree that it was up and down. COVID affected this series. The conclusion was so powerful that I wanted to give it a 🤩, but the filler before it left me with a 😊.
What was your favorite episode, and what about it related to your own family?
Esta: Episode 10, I’VE GOT THIS. It reminded me of never having enough money when I was a teacher, yet always trying to give my children what they needed to have and what they dreamed of having. I loved it when you texted me after this episode and said thank you. It made me cry tears of joy, Aaron.
Aaron: Awww, I 100% agree with the I’VE GOT THIS episode proved that THIS IS US still’s “got this.” When THIS IS US is at its best, it makes me feel closer to my own family, especially during this strange year when we had to be apart for so long. ♥️
Least favorite episode:
Aaron: BOTH THINGS CAN COME TRUE was the closest the series came to cheesy network soap opera. Yes, it was about Beth, which is always good. But jeez, it was a bad Beth episode.
Esta: It was episode 11, ONE SMALL STEP. it was all about Nicky. I love his character, but it was too much.
What moment made you cry the most?
Aaron: My top three #UglyCry moments all came in, I’VE GOT THIS based on three themes.
Pride – Watching Beth’s mother talk about how lonely life is without kids at her age made me ugly cry, and check in on you to see if you were “okay.”
Shame – Kate feeling shame for never telling her mother thank you made me text you to say thanks for everything you did on a teacher’s salary.
Growth – Kevin realizing how excited he’s to spend the next few years with his new family had me turn to my wife and say, “I love you,” while holding back tears.
Esta: There were also three big moments for me. The baby montage in I’VE GOT THIS. It was so touching. The second was in THE ADIRONDACKS when Randall finally had his heart-to-heart talk with his Mom about his birth mom. Lastly, in BROTHERLY LOVE when Kevin finally talked with Randall about race and growing up black in a white family.
Prediction / what do you want to happen in the final season?
Aaron: I think the show is going to end with Rebecca’s death. I can see a SIX FEET UNDER-like finale where we flash to the future. Instead of seeing each kid’s death, we see them as happy grandparents in the role that Rebecca was for the Pearson’s all along. Their foundation.
Esta: I want the family to end strong and find the happiness and fulfillment they all have been searching for throughout all the seasons. And Beth to still be dancing and Kevin finally married.
