Why ‘This Is Us’ Tackling COVID & Black Lives Matter Storylines Isn’t About Politics
Opinion
[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for the Season 5 Premiere of This Is Us, “Forty: Part 1” & “Forty: Part 2”]
This Is Us has always been real with its viewers — that’s one of the reasons the NBC program has been so beloved over its run.
Since the show’s Season 5 return, though, there has been criticism from some viewers about the handling of real-world issues introduced in the back-to-back premiere episode. In addition to the continuation of the Pearson family story, which spans various points in time, This Is Us’ present-day timeline grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement, which gained momentum after George Floyd’s death.
Some viewers argued that the drama has gotten too political. One such opinion — “Hollywood ruins everything. Tell the story. Leave politics out of it,” a fan posted on Twitter — even got a response from the This Is Us writers: “We told the story….”
Telling real-world stories is always something they have done and done beautifully, which can be easy to forget thanks to the expert storytelling around the characters and their daily dramas. Remember Kevin’s (Justin Hartley) recollection of the Challenger explosion in the pilot episode? And in Season 3, the show traveled back in time to the Vietnam War with Pearson patriarch Jack (Milo Ventimiglia) and his baby brother Nicky (Michael Angarano). The war and all its components, including the draft, deserters, and self-medicating on the battlefield, were all highlighted.
As for the current storylines, while we’re living in tense times, it’s also important to remember that This Is Us isn’t telling people what to think or feel — the show’s characters are living in the “real” world and dealing with it in the ways best for them.
(Credit: NBC)
And it should be noted that the coronavirus pandemic is not a political issue — it’s been turned into one. It would be strange for a show rooted in reality to ignore a major event affecting the health of our nation. Plus, the Pearsons aren’t telling people how to feel about the virus, they’re just following the same guidelines and protocols everyone around the country has come to know, from wearing masks and social distancing from vulnerable family members, to hand-washing.
As for the show’s handling of Black Lives Matter and George Floyd’s death, it would also be awfully strange for it to be ignored. Randall (Sterling K. Brown) is a Black man who works as a councilman, and is a citizen concerned about the well-being of others.
(Credit: NBC)
For Randall and his family not to address events impacting the Black community would be an oversight. Viewers may associate Floyd’s death with the protests and civil unrest that followed it, but Randall’s digesting of the event is in no way political — it’s human. And as someone tackling issues about his family with a therapist, it only makes sense that he’d need to express his feelings about the issues happening in the country, as well.
The event also works as a catalyst that forces him to look at himself and his past as he grapples with the reality that growing up in a white family has impacted his views. While Randall’s sister Kate (Chrissy Metz) might try and be supportive about the turmoil he’s dealing with, it’s something she can’t truly understand.
“Randall is processing a lot about his life and about his family,” series creator Dan Fogelman told TV Insider following the premiere. “I find the scene with Chrissy and Sterling in front of the cabin so complicated and so interesting. I think their performances are just so strong.”
The most overtly political the show has been also had to do with Randall — but it had nothing to do with a divisive issue. It centered around his campaign for councilman, and even then, he never declared a political party.
(Credit: NBC)
The beauty of the show is how it connects such a large collection of unique individuals from all walks of life and presents viewers with their experiences. It’s these experiences, and presenting stories in a real-world setting, that foster empathy and understanding. At the end of the day, isn’t that a good thing?
This Is Us, Season 5, Tuesdays, 9/8c, NBC
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I'm really disappointed that This is Us, which was previously an amazing program, has decided to become a political commentator. If I wanted to watch the news I could turn the channel.
Personally, I feel that it shows little back bone that such a wonderful program needed to fall over itself and sell out.
Shame. Great show, ruined.
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The introduction of these real world events must have been political because they added absolutely nothing to the story. Every scene and mention of them could have been removed and not affected the story in any way.
The way the Vietnam war shook the 2 brothers and their mental health for the rest of their lives did directly influence the story and the character progression.
You are of course entitled to your opinion and you have a right to disagree with me but I personally prefer to have my entertainment separate from my reaction videos.
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Disappointed as well. If you make it political, than realistic and show both sides of the spectrum.
Absolut loved this show and feel super turned off now.
It was such a great show…
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I agree with you that talking about COVID or BLM is not necessarily political. However the show does adopt the liberal viewpoint without much of a dissent. For instance, they could have had 1 character in this large large family complain about masks and not live up to the standards of others. These family fights are part of the current reality. Loving someone who is willing to risk your life is the current complicated reality. Similarly there is always someone who is so deep into their own pain they ignore or minimize others’ pain. Then there are those who believe that police brutality isn’t racist or that black people kill more cops (is this even true) so it’s reasonable and tragic for cops to kill blacks more. Perhaps they will take Kevin in that direction on BLM. If so, it would be a more realistic portrayal of American society.
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Well, there are also people in the US who think coronavirus is fake or that masks don't work. And if someone like Kevin went around calling the virus fake, it might also influence or embolden conspiracy theorists (it may influence audience members who watch the show that look up to Kevin, for example). Which is probably not a direction that the directors want to go in. Some americans also believe in the pizza gate scandal, but some things just aren't good for public television.
I think the show has been spot on with it's approach to the pandemic. Good job guys!
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