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I think that was the best finale in all 4 seasons and should be submitted for Writing at the Emmys. The introduction of the new characters was better than in “Part One”. Oh my God, the writers did not hold anything back for the Randall vs Kevin fight. They both said awful things to each other. I don’t know how much Kevin means by what he said about Randall but Randall is ignorant and lying to think that Kevin is selfish and doesn’t care about anybody but himself. Dan Fogelman was aware of this as evidenced by the Uncle Nicky text message (& Cassidy’s presence) seconds after Randall stormed off.
This is a tricky situation and a different experience for both the characters and the audience. We know what we know but Randall also feels what he feels. I especially liked the fight because it wasn’t that explosive but it went places I didn’t expect. Sterling K. Brown and especially Justin Hartley held it down!
Justin was so great in this episode, from Rebecca’s decision to the fight and Madison’s announcement. Definitely my MVP in this one.
Gerald McRaney’s presence is always felt and it always has impact. He for sure is in the running for another Emmy nomination.
Very interesting that Jack Jr. has a sister but I wonder what happened to Kate since she hasn’t appeared in the flash forwards. Kevin is married in the future, maybe he marries someone else or he and Madison find love after all.
“Hope” is a beautiful name.
This was a well balanced, cohesive and consistent season. Definitely my favorite (tied with season 2). Let’s hope Corona doesn’t last that long to delay production on season 5.
ReplyCopy URLMixed season finale. I think Dan Futterman’s writing can be overly oblique at times, and this was one of those times. It doesn’t help matters that the series won’t return to the air until 2021, which of course no one involved knew would happen when this was filmed, but still. The birthdays theme was nice, and I liked the little details discovered in the flash-forwards. It’s kinda awesome that future Jack has an adopted sister. The reveal of that was excellent. Young Jack and Rebecca going to see Dr. K again was just right. Gerald McRaney is getting another Emmy nomination, bitches! The Randall/Kevin fight was just brutal to watch unfold. It’s the kind of fight that brothers might not be able to come back from. For all we know, they don’t talk again until Rebecca’s deathbed. But I’ll stop speculating, since I’m likely wrong. I didn’t like the way Madison revealed the pregnancy news to Kevin, or the odd amount of time spent on Madison’s OB-GYN and his daughter at the stables. Also showing quick scenes of Sophie (yay) and Cassie (UGH) show me that we’re still left in the dark about Kevin’s love life. Just b/c he’s a dad of twins (wow) doesn’t end the story for him. I can’t stand not knowing where Kate and Miguel are in the flash-forwards, or Kevin’s “wife,” whoever that ends up being. Nicky’s married too! Good for him. I think there are better writing and directing submissions to use this season than this episode, but it’s in fashion now to pretty much go with pilots, season finales, or series finales (what little imagination on the part of Emmy submitters!). Outstanding season’s worth of work regardless. All the people writing off “This Is Us”‘s Emmy chances over silly things like SAG losses/snubs, whatever. I’m predicting Drama Series, Brown, Moore, Ventimiglia (borderline supporting, but after 3 consecutive lead actor drama nominations, I’m keeping him in until he’s snubbed), Sullivan, Hartley (NGNG), McRaney, & Jones. Metz will have the hardest time with the stacked supporting actress drama field, but maybe her raised Oscars profile will help her out a bit. I want to predict Rashad so badly after her horrible Emmy loss last year, but this time around, she had far less material to work with. Dunne has too many episodes for guest actor. I hope writing and directing are in play, but let’s see what’s actually submitted first. Oh well. Onto season 5?
ReplyCopy URLI’ll be honest, I am kind of surprised to see the really positive reception to this season. I found not only that many storylines stalled, were underdeveloped or ended up being completely dropped, but the dialogue in many episodes was stale and the show rarely felt as personal or even groundbreaking as it did during the first two seasons. I wouldn’t say it was a bad season, but I was never really engaged with the stories or characters. The actors are still doing very good work, but the stories and scripts aren’t living up to their potential.
Jack felt completely absent this season and the lack of Milo Ventimiglia was felt in nearly every episode. He should by no means be considered a lead actor on this show anymore and this season highlighted the fears many viewers had about the size of Jack’s role being limited after his death. Truly the only actor on this show that can and should be considered a lead is Mandy Moore, who had yet another impressive season and really held her own. Her performance grows more assured as the show goes on and what separates her from other cast members is that I’m still tuned in with her performance regardless of how I feel about the character and/or the story. I can’t really say the same for someone like Chrissy Metz, who shone when given the opportunity, but shrunk when her story went nowhere. The writers have really done a number on Randall, shockingly making him (in my opinion) the most unlikable character on the show. Unfortunately, this has also soured me on Sterling K. Brown’s performance. Somewhat surprisingly, I think Justin Hartley is doing really great work and as with Moore, I’m consistently captivated by his performance regardless of how I feel about Kevin. That’s the difference between Hartley and Brown right now, and why Hartley and Moore were easily without a doubt the MVPs of the season. Chris Sullivan was fine, but Susan Kelechi Watson was really paid dust after a breakthrough season three and I’m extremely disappointed about that.
The show had a massive issue this season of starting plots and never following through on them. This has always sort of been an issue for the show, but it was more glaringly obvious this season. We’ve been promised more exploration of Rebecca and Miguel’s relationship since season one. Tess and Deja were given a couple of episodes to explore some really interesting plots that were unceremoniously dumped (I was really craving more Omar Epps and Marsha Stephanie Blake, that dinner episode was the easy season highlight for me). Kate’s neighbor was introduced and we were led to believe he would play a role of importance, but that story just disappeared. I can’t stand the show bringing back Sophie again just to dash hopes that she’s not “the one” for Kevin (although if the finale is to be believed, she’s still in the picture which is exhausting). We aren’t any closer to really understanding why Nicky plays such a prominent role in Rebecca’s future. Kate’s storyline with the abusive boyfriend really seemed like it was introduced in order to open up some wounds for present day Kate, and yet it was ultimately just to provide a story for the teenage actors.
So yeah, this was an extremely mixed season. A great season for Moore and Hartley. But the show has fallen into a pattern that has made a previously diehard fan like me really sour on these characters and this show. We know there are two seasons left, and I wouldn’t say I’m particularly enthused about sitting through more of the show if it is going to be like this.
ReplyCopy URLBut none of the storylines were abandoned or dropped/dumped though. Tess was anxious about her new identity and coming out and she finally did in the Thanksgiving episode. Déja wanted a bit of independence and her main plot revolved around her experiencing her first love and that reached it’s climax during the episode 4×07 (“The Dinner and the Date”). They’ve said countless times even before the season 4 premiere that Miguel’s relationship with Rebecca wouldn’t be expolored this season and that they were not planning a Miguel- centric episode but rather a fleshed out season long arc for him. Fogelman said in an interview after the finale that Miguel’s story and relationship with Rebecca will be told next season.
Literally zero storylines were dumped or not followed through.
ReplyCopy URLMixed finale, but as usual the final moments were great.
The fight scene between Randall and Kevin…wow, I didn’t see all that anger coming.
This was a great consistent season and should be a lock for a drama series nomination.
I’m in large minority but I loved season 3, which was less consistent but had for me two series highs (Vietnam and Beth storylines)and their best ever episode (Songbird Road Part One). Season 4 didn’t reach those highs but it was one big journey with really few flaws.
They really need a directing or writing nomination. They have some good choices in first half (maybe Storybook Love and The Dinner And The Date) but I would focus on second half with The Cabin and Clouds. But few submissions please!But this season really belonged to three actors that should thank their writers: Brown, Hartley and Moore of course.
Sterling K. Brown had his best year since season 1 and has really competitve tapes. Watch out for him especially if Succession men cancel each other out.
Mandy Moore is a true queen. Her grace, her subtle performance in every stage of Rebecca life is really a great underrated work. I’m sad she’s facing competition from heavyweight stars and awards magnets like Aniston, Colman, Kidman and Linney to name a few but I’m rooting for her nomination and maybe a win.
Justin Hartley…did you realize he’s the show lead? My God, in season 1 he looked like the weakest link, and now he steals episode after episode. The fact he has zero nominations at the moment is one of many Emmy embarassment.Milo Ventimiglia is my man, and should have an Emmy for season 2 or 3 (Jack always will be the show heart, we saw that in The Cabin). But this year really had few to do and should be dropped (they won’t switch categories of course, but Hartley should be in lead and Ventimiglia in supporting). I hope next season they can find a proper storyline for him.
Susan Kelechi Watson shined in season 2 and stole season 3 so I’m ok with her staying out of the picture for one season but please bring back in full force our little island girl.I know two seasons have to air yet but I’m now thinking that This Is Us will be remebered like one great show from beginning to the end, and luckily not like a once great show that suddenly drop in quality. Fingers crossed for this and ready for season 5.
ReplyCopy URLWhat I think is the best episode for each deserving actor this season. Could work as Emmy submission if nominated.
Actress:
Mandy Moore – “So Long, Marianne”
Actor:
Milo Ventimiglia – “The Club”
Sterling K. Brown – “A Hell of a Week: Part One” (or alternatively, “After The Fire”).
Supporting Actress:
Chrissy Metz – “The Pool: Part Two”
Susan Kelechi Watson – “The Dinner and the Date”
Supporting Actor:
Justin Hartley – “A Hell of a Week: Part Two” (or alternatively, “Strangers: Part Two”).
Griffin Dunne – “Sorry”
Niles Fitch – “A Hell of a Week: Part One”
Chris Sullivan – “A Hell of a Week: Part Three”
Guest Actress:
Phylicia Rashad – “Flip A Coin”
Jennifer Morrison – “Strangers”
Marsha Stephanie Blake – “The Dinner and the Date”
Pamela Adlon – “After The Fire”
Guest Actor:
Asante Blackk – “The Dinner and the Date”
Omar Epps – “A Hell of a Week: Part One”
Gerald McRaney – “Strangers: Part Two”
Ron Cephas Jones – “After The Fire”
Tim Matheson – “The Club”
Writing (one of these) – “The Dinner and the Date”, “Storybook Love”, “Strangers: Part Two”
Directing (one of these) – “Storybook Love”, “After The Fire”, “Strangers: Part Two”
Series – “Storybook Love”, “The Dinner and the Date”, “The Cabin”, “Clouds”, “After The Fire”, “Strangers: Part Two”
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