I love how the Disney adaptation of Percy Jackson and the Olympians does such a good job from the outset of emphasizing that Percy might be half god on Poseidon’s side, but every instinct in him that makes him a hero is because he is Sally Jackson’s son.
i spent THIRTEEN YEARS waiting for an age accurate casting of percy jackson but now that it's here and i am no longer a child looking at heroes my age, i'm just plain HORRIFIED on behalf of these children.
But him giving her permission to take a rest, like you’ve earned the rest — oof, that really, really got me. That idea of you’re so strong… [she trails off] sorry, I get emotional thinking about it… but for someone to tell her, “You lived a great life and you were an incredible mother and you had all of this tragedy befall you, and you still made such a beautiful thing of all of it. And now you’re allowed to rest. I think just getting that [she starts to cry] permission from someone that she didn’t even know very well, but loved so much and held in such high regard really just went such a long way. And that, oof, that got me. Still gets me, obviously.
Does it ever make you emotional to remember that Kevin Pearson, who died at odds with Jack but knowing he still loved him, who spent so long trying to live up to the legacy of his father but for a long time was the furthest from it, ended up being the most like him at the end? That he ended up doing what Jack and Rebecca couldn't do, by reconciling the estranged members of his family through Nicky and that he later did the same for Miguel by reuniting him with his son? That by reaching out to Nicky and forming a bond with Cassidy he was able to fulfill his dad's dream of Big Three Homes? That by forging these connections he was able to finally have the wife, the mother of his children, and his best friend form the extended family to give to his children that he never really had himself? That he was finally able to take all the members of that extended family and gather them around Rebecca in her last days....and that he was able to do all of that by working at a job he didn't like to support the one he did and provide for the rest of the family? That at the end, Kevin is the backbone that kept them all together....just like Dad?
OK so a few things from the penultimate episode of This Is Us just keep playing in my head and I feel I need to exorcise these demons and tumblr is definitely the place for that. Under the cut for spoilers and because no-one may want to see them at all but you're getting them anyway 😆
Come talk to me about it! Help me fill the void inside me!
In no particular order...
The concept of the train and hearing everyone's goodbyes over the tannoy and seeing people like Beth and Kevin and Sophie at different stages was really lovely and so well done.
Re different stages: the generations of Randall and Kevin? Are you KIDDING ME!? This was so lovely even from a show POV, seeing the actors portraying the same character interact. Big Randall doing the pushups with Little Randall and Big Kevin and Little Kevin looking at baseball cards because they're talking about these moments by Bec's bedside. Only one Katie Girl, which is a shame, but still loved that she was there at the end with her fireflies
Speaking of Kate, I'm sure you're meant to think Bec's waiting for Jack, but it was so sweet that it was Kate. I'm so glad they didn't decide to be asses and not have her show up. Thankfully it's not that kind of show.
But what kind of show is it? The heartbreaking kind. Because holy fucking hell Jack. Revisiting the night he died? Stop, why would you hurt me so? His smokey clothes and burned hands 😭 The words of wisdom shared anew. THE LAST SCENE OMFG I'M CRYING AGAIN!!! Just waiting for her to lie down beside him again. Owwwww my heart. Everything with Jack makes me a blubbering mess. Even freaking promo shots coz he's goooooonnnne 😭😭😭
Look, I know it's emotionally manipulative storytelling but I really don't care. I am gonna share in the highs and lows and cry and laugh thank you very much. The whole Jack dying so a kid who's gonna cure Alzheimer's in the future can live? Twee af but still, such is life sometimes. A balancing act of sorrow and joy, life and death.
I love that Randall was the one to say the goodbye speech for the Big Three because he was the one that took on Jack's mantle of Big Speeches when he died, so it was only fitting.
It occurred to me after that Bec only had conversations with those who had passed on, which was just so clever. William is such a sweet sweet man. And the doc! Ah god.
And Miguel. Lovely Miguel. That could've been awkward 😆 She's his favourite person but sorry buddy, Jack is her one and only.
The little objects from her life on the shelves. I'll have to look again but Jack's dad mug and baby Jack's boots stood out.
Really just a gorgeous gorgeous episode and an absolutely masterfully created show, weaving and connecting so much throughout the 6 seasons. The callbacks and connections are truly exquisite storytelling. I don't know how I'm gonna cope next week...
Mandy deserves an Emmy, for sure. And maybe she'll get one with this episode or for another from this season. I fear Milo's missed his chance, though. There was only one Jack-centric episode this season and while he was great in it (oh god, the funeral scene; the stepping away from the table and crying!!), I don't know if it'll get him an Emmy. Other seasons showcased his talent much better, but them's the breaks, it happens. Steve Carell never won for The Office and that was an absolute crying shame. Something something lemons etc.
I think another facet that a lot of people are overlooking with Rebecca Pearson's declining health and the Big Three's reactions is they WEREN'T able to do this for Jack.
Jack was taken from them so unexpectedly and suddenly. There was nothing they could do to ensure that the end of his life was perfect. So now that they get that chance with Rebecca they are going to do everything they possibly can to make sure her end of life is peaceful as possible.
Both Jack and Rebecca were magic as parents and if they can give at least one of them some of the magic back they will do whatever it takes.
Look, if I am being completely honest I am never going to forgive the This Is US writers and producers for choosing to play “To Build A Home” at the end of last night’s episode.
Ok, can we talk about this song and tv show relationship for a quick second? For over two years EVERY single time I heard this song I instantaneously started to cry because it reminded me of Jack’s death.
And then writers come along and just completely change my memories of this song because they made it into something good, WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT YOU DO WHEN YOU ARE TRIGGERED BY SOMETHING THAT REMINDS YOU OF A LOST ONE.
These writers, producers, actors, and etc. have it figured out and this show tears me apart and somehow puts me back together all at once which is wild.