Andrew Robinson
After airing an episode that this reviewer slammed last week, This Is Us returned to its roots in a very good bounce-back episode on Tuesday night.
Summary
Kevin, Kate, and Randall go on a road trip to search for Jack’s best-kept secret. Rebecca grapples with the secret, as well. In the past, Jack and Nicky’s Vietnam experiences are further explored, to devastating effects.
Analysis
Finally. Finally a great episode of This Is Us. With the political storyline and character decisions angering this reviewer for much of the season, “Songbird Road: Part One” serves as a welcomed return to the roots of TIU.
After the realization earlier in the season that Nicky had not died in Vietnam, as Jack had led his children to believe, there had to be a pretty darn good reason for Jack’s lie. From a storytelling perspective, there also had to be a pretty good reason to go that route, as bringing characters originally thought to be dead back can be a slippery and dangerous slope. However, against all odds, creator Dan Fogelman and Co. deliver. That Vietnam scene in “Songbird” is absolutely devastating. It gave this reviewer chills. If there was anything that could have occurred to make Jack give up on Nicky and want nothing to do with him, it’s that.
*MAJOR spoilers in next paragraph
Speaking of that, fans seem to be disappointed in Jack for his decisions, especially after he returns from Vietnam. Family is everything, but Nicky does something that is nearly unforgivable. Not only does he put a child in immense danger, but he also chooses to save himself rather than attempting to save the child that is only in danger in the first place because of Nicky. Yes, Nicky appears to be very upset and broken up about what occurs, and seems to carry that grief with him for years, but that’s something that is nearly impossible to forgive, especially given Nicky’s lack of self-control, obedience, and care for others showcased earlier in the season. This reviewer doesn’t blame Jack at all for his actions in Vietnam, and back in the States. It’s a shame that the relationship between brothers is largely severed, but that’s Nicky’s own doing.
*End spoiler
Stellar acting performances are given by Sterling K. Brown, Chrissy Metz, Justin Hartley, Milo Ventimiglia, and especially Michael Angarano (Vietnam Nicky). Angarano portrays a man horrified by his own actions, in complete shock at the events that have occurred. In a situation where it is nearly impossible to feel badly for the culprit, Angarano makes it at least somewhat possible for some (though, admittedly, not for this reviewer). The scenes between Nicky and Jack when they’re back in the States are really difficult to watch, which is a testament to the acting prowess of Ventimiglia and Angarano. They make for a great pairing.
As for Brown, Metz, and Hartley, they all are a big reason why “Songbird” works. Hartley, in particular, is fantastic, and this reviewer has been very hard on him in the past. Credit where credit is due, though: Hartley gives an outstanding performance in “Songbird.” Their faces as they hear what went down in Vietnam, and as they decide to go back at the end of the episode show everything that the viewer needs to know. Beautiful job by the three of them.
Finally, Griffin Dunne, a newcomer to TIU, does a great job at portraying present day Nicky, a broken man. It appears that he may have a pivotal role moving forward, so hopefully Dunne will continue to impress.
Verdict
“Songbird Road: Part One” is a return to the TIU that fans fell in love with. With a haunting event that changes the course of the lives of multiple people, and the very real and understandable reactions to that event, “Songbird” puts the viewer through all the feels. Jack’s secret has been revealed, and his reaction to the events shed more light on his character, and shows that even he has a breaking point. This reviewer doesn’t blame him at all for his decision, and thinks it is a very realistic, understandable approach.
The acting is stellar, and the storyline is fantastic. Kudos to Fogelman and Co. for having the guts to go where this episode goes.
9/10
This Is Us is off next week, and will return with “Songbird Road: Part Two” on Tuesday, February 5th at 9PM on NBC.
