In an age where cable TV has overtaken networks as the home of the best, smartest, and most innovative drama, This Is Us is a rare network primetime show that is both a critical and popular favorite, earning stellar ratings and winning two Emmy awards. The narrative weaves together past and present, telling the story of the three adult Pearson siblings and their experiences growing up as the children of Jack (Milo Ventimiglia) and Rebecca (Mandy Moore). Sterling K. Brown plays Randall, the adopted African-American son raised in a white family, who has become a successful corporate accountant and tracks down his biological father in the opening episode. Justin Hartley is Kevin, a frustrated sitcom actor who attempts to reinvent himself on the New York stage. And Chrissy Metz is Kate, Kevin's fraternal twin and devoted assistant who struggles with serious weight issues. Created by veteran screenwriter Dan Fogelman, the drama explores complicated family relationships over time, contrasting present day stories with what happened during the siblings' formative years. This clever construction teases mysteries throughout the series (including the death of Jack sometime in the past), but the focus always remains on the characters and their relationships. The finely tuned balance of family drama, TV melodrama, storytelling ingenuity, and unabashed emotionality has earned This Is Us a devoted following. Presenting all 18 episodes from the 2016-17 debut season, extras include behind-the-scenes post-episode featurettes. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. (S. Axmaker)
This Is Us: The Complete First Season
Fox, 5 discs, 775 min., not rated, DVD: $39.99 Volume 33, Issue 1
This Is Us: The Complete First Season
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