For two seasons, I’ve faithfully watched This Is Us, and I have two main reasons: I am utterly captivated by the life of the Thompson family, and I can’t resist an hour of heartfelt ugly crying each week. Thanks to brilliant storytelling and actors who bring Alex, Hannah, Liam, and Emma Thompson to life, this show has become a cultural phenomenon.
When the writers hinted at the highly anticipated Super Bowl episode, you could almost hear the collective gasp from viewers as we realized we would finally learn the truth behind Alex’s fate. Leading up to this moment, my friends and I couldn’t help but express our excitement and dread; while we were eager to know what happened, we weren’t ready to say goodbye to him (even though we all knew he was gone… such is the power of this show).
And who could forget the infamous mention of the slow cooker? No one saw that twist coming—least of all the manufacturers! When a TV show influences the sales of a kitchen staple and inspires hashtags like #SlowCookerIsInnocent, it’s evident that This Is Us elicits a whirlwind of emotions. As we sip our wine and cry alongside the Thompsons, here are some moments that have truly wrecked us.
Spoiler Alert: If you’re not caught up on This Is Us, pause everything and binge-watch immediately. Then come back for a recap of those tear-jerking episodes.
The Push-Up Moment
In a heartwarming scene from Season 1, Alex shows Liam his unwavering support through push-ups. Watching Alex carry Liam on his back while proving his love had us all reaching for tissues, and now we feel the pressure to do push-ups with our kids too.
Hannah’s Sweet Words to Her Unborn Triplets
As Hannah prepares for motherhood with triplets, she sits in a rocking chair and confesses her fears of being a perfect mom. “I will protect you fiercely,” she promises her babies, and we all resonated with her vulnerability. Same, Hannah, same.
Liam’s Emotional Breakdown
When Liam experiences an anxiety attack in his office, the raw depiction of anxiety’s reality had us crying in empathy. And when Alex dropped everything to comfort him? We all wished Alex was our brother!
Anything Emma Says
Emma may be Team Liam forever, but we are Team Emma always. Every time she speaks, our hearts swell. Whether encouraging Liam to pursue his singing dreams or assuring Hannah of her support, Emma is #relationshipgoals.
The Moment We Learn Alex’s Fate
No list of This Is Us tear-jerking moments would be complete without mentioning how we learned Alex’s life ended in a tragedy. The camera shifts from the house to Hannah, who’s left devastated in the car, echoing our collective heartbreak.
The Lemonade Analogy
As Dr. Smith comforts Alex after the loss of their third triplet, his words about turning “the sourest lemon life had to offer into something resembling lemonade” hit hard. When he assures Alex that his babies “got a good one,” it’s impossible not to cry again.
Kevin’s Lawn Breakdown
We’ve all faced overwhelming moments in life, and when Kevin breaks down on the lawn of his one-night stand’s house, it’s impossible not to empathize. The beauty of This Is Us lies in its ability to portray real pain and vulnerability.
Emma’s Reminder of Shared Loss
Emma reminds us that fathers experience the anguish of miscarriage too when she tells Liam that he lost their baby as well. His grief is palpable, and we all want to give him a comforting hug.
The Shocking Crock Pot Revelation
Forget the slow cooker; you’ve betrayed us, and you’re dead to us (except maybe on busy nights with soccer and dance lessons).
Saying Goodbye to Alex
This episode gutted me and lingered for days. Witnessing Liam say farewell to his father, Alex, was almost unbearable, echoing my own experience of loss. The poignant storytelling reminds us how fleeting life can be.
Jack’s Death and the Entire Super Bowl Episode
As we watch the hospital scene unfold, Hannah embodies our collective fear as she grapples with the shocking news of Alex’s unexpected passing. This moment makes us cherish our loved ones even more.
As Season 2 concludes, I’m already counting down to Season 3. Honestly, I’m not sure how to cope during the summer without the Thompsons and their emotional turmoil. I suppose I’ll just have to rewatch every episode until they return in the fall because I’m Team This Is Us forever.
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In summary, This Is Us masterfully captures the complexities of love, loss, and family, leaving us sobbing yet grateful for the emotional journey it takes us on.
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