THIS IS US gave fans one of the best finales of all time. The theme was wrapped in the simplicity of realizing how profound and necessary it is to “spend more time appreciating moments when they all happen instead of just worrying about when it would end.” Amen.
I loved how the writers and creator, Dan Fogelman, kept flipping the scenes from an “ordinary” Saturday when the “big three” were young to the present on Rebecca’s (Mandy Moore) funeral day. There were many poignant seconds shared that will be remembered forever. I will treasure that “swinging” montage, shaving cream faces, donkeys looking for their tails, deep-fried Oreos, home movies, family bantering, and worst-case scenarios. “When you are young, you always want to be older. When you are older, you try to go back. You don’t appreciate the moment you are in…too busy looking forward.” Again amen.
In my own life, I can relate to exactly how Randall (Sterling K. Brown) felt before and after Rebecca’s funeral. I said those same lines out loud to my own family. It can feel “pointless,” but it never is. Kate (Chrissy Metz) was wise beyond her years, and said it best: “As long as I know where you are, I always know where I’m going!” This truth can keep us grounded, together, and never “adrift.”
THIS IS US will be remembered on a “scale from 1 to 10…as a 12.” The finale was brilliant, bittersweet, hopeful, and brought tears to my eyes one last time. It is quite simply, one of the best.
It is available to stream on NBC/PEACOCK.
