A-
This Is Us finally puts Beth Pearson center stage
What’s revolutionary about This Is Us isn’t the stories it tells, but the way that it tells them.…
This Is Us
B+
Happy endings don’t come easily for once on This Is Us
“Songbird Road: Part Two” is a conversation-heavy episode of a show that’s usually strongest when…
B
This Is Us uses its latest twist to complicate the legacy of Jack Pearson
After easing us back into the season with last week’s lackluster outing, This Is Us finally circles…
C+
This Is Us returns, but does it realize that the Big Three are the worst?
While the “death of the author” theory argues it’s the art itself, not the intentions of its creator that should…
B
This Is Us’ fall finale delivers the show’s biggest twist yet
“The thing about documentaries is you can’t force them to end the way you want them too.” That’s…
A-
This Is Us’ Thanksgiving episode continues the show’s impressive hot streak
“Six Thanksgivings” is an episode that delivers exactly what it says on the tin—glimpses into six very different…
A
Tonight’s episode of This Is Us is quietly perfect
If I had to pick an episode of This Is Us to live inside of, it would be this one. Like many of the…
B
This Is Us doubles down on Randall’s bizarre political campaign storyline
In my last review, I described the structure of a prototypical This Is Us episode, and—lo and behold—“Kamsahamnida”…
B-
This Is Us fills in some blanks about Toby
This Is Us has always been an ensemble show, but this season seems to be using its ensemble in a new way. Back in…
A
This Is Us delivers an outstanding episode about brotherhood and war
In an attempt to fill some cinematic blindspots, I’ve found myself watching a lot of Vietnam War…
B+
This Is Us sings the bittersweet ballad of Rebecca Pearson
As a human being, I have innate emotional reactions to the media I watch, and as a critic, it’s my…
B-
This Is Us tries to tell way too many stories, at least stumbles upon some interesting ones
The third season premiere of This Is Us felt a little undercooked, and this week’s episode has the opposite problem of…
B-
This Is Us’ third season premiere offers new beginnings, new mysteries
Between last year’s second season premiere and tonight’s third season one, This Is Us has established a template for…
B
This Is Us ends its second season with love, hope, and a little fan service
“The Wedding” spends its runtime trying to convince us that something bad is going to happen. Will Kate freak out and…
A
This Is Us proves it’s one of the most formally inventive shows on TV
Even among those who like it, This Is Us often gets discussed as if it’s a conventional, old-fashioned family drama.…
B-
After a string of dramatic episodes, This Is Us blows off steam in Vegas
After three episodes focused on the devastating death of Jack Pearson, tonight marks the start of a new era for This Is…
B+
A lyrical This Is Us memorializes Jack Pearson
Taken together, the past three episodes of This Is Us have served as a mini-series about Jack Pearson’s death. “That’ll…
A-
This Is Us offers an answer about its past and a twist about its future
“I just need two minutes, okay? I’m going to step aside for two minutes.”
B
A game-changing This Is Us builds to a fiery cliffhanger
Given the dramatic way it was advertised and the fact that the lyric referenced in its title—“That’ll Be The Day”—ends…
B+
This Is Us throws every last care away, goes to the mall... today!
There’s a scene towards the end of “Clooney” in which Kate and her support group frenemy Madison have an emotional…