Andrew Robinson
This Is Us aired a game-changing episode on March 6th, titled “This Big, Amazing, Beautiful Life.” With the season two finale airing next week, viewers will find themselves longing for This Is Us soon, but that’s something to worry about on March 14th!
*As always, minor spoilers may follow.
Summary
“This Big, Amazing, Beautiful Life” focuses on Deja – Randall and Beth’s foster child – and her bumpy upbringing.
Analysis
This Is Us expands on what we thought we knew about its method of storytelling. Largely straying from the Big Three, Jack, and Rebecca, TIU gives us our first taste of extensive background on a non-main character in “This Big, Amazing, Beautiful Life.” By doing this, the writers officially open up an avenue that we had all considered, but were not sure was completely fair game: entire episodes devoted to the development of supporting characters. I, for one, love it. I think it opens up a multitude of possibilities for the show, especially if the writers hit a writer’s block somewhere down the road, and aren’t quite sure what direction they want to go at a certain point; if this does happen, they can simply dedicate an episode to Toby’s childhood, or Beth’s, or even someone like Dr. K’s, while giving themselves some time to consider all of their possibilities for the development of the present-day Big Three. Not many shows have the ability to do this; This Is Us is in a very enviable position.
Now, the big question is: does it work? Does dedicating an entire episode to a supporting character while largely ignoring the trials and tribulations of the Big Three, Jack, and Rebecca come off in a positive light? For me, it passes this test with flying colors. Lyric Ross, who plays Deja, shines in her starring role, as does Makenzie Lee-Foster, who plays 5-year-old Deja. Watching the character of Deja grow up courtesy of Lee-Foster and, to a larger extent, Ross, is a joy; both young actresses allow the viewer to truly live Deja’s life – to go through her everyday struggles, and to struggle right along with her. There wasn’t a time when I found myself wishing that This Is Us would cut back to the Big Three, Jack, and/or Rebecca; the show truly feels like it could be solely about Deja, which is just incredible.
(*Minor spoiler in following paragraph)
Another actress who stands out is Joy Brunson, who plays Shauna (Deja’s mother). Brunson does a great job making the viewer feel for her situation, and wish that should would make better decisions. After entering the episode with preconceived notions of how Shauna acted as a mother throughout her life, I exit with a feeling that some of those notions were unfounded and unfair; Brunson brings these feelings to light. She and Ross work very well together.
(*Spoiler over)
The music used in “This Big, Amazing, Beautiful Life” is spot-on. Even when it is solely orchestra with no lyrics, the episode is positively impacted by the background sounds. Beautiful scenes are made even more beautiful with just the right background sounds/songs, and This Is Us always seems to hit the right notes (pun intended) in this regard.
Even though the episode does not feature much in regards to plot development (minus the tear-inducing last few minutes), I think it is a necessary episode. Not only does it open up the possibilities that I outlined above, but it also sets the show up for the finale, as well as next season.
(*Minor spoiler in following paragraph)
I think that some of the cuts mid-scene are very interesting. The Young Big Three, as well as the present-day Big Three, make appearances in quick cuts while the viewer is watching Deja go through her life. This decision pays dividends, as the viewer is reminded just how much the upbringings of people can differ, aiding in the viewer’s ability to connect and sympathize with Deja’s character. One thing that makes me wonder, however, is the fact that the show includes two kids that I don’t remember seeing before in one of these quick scenes (during the book-reading scenes). I have thought about it and have reached the conclusion that the two boys shown here are Jack and his brother that was quickly mentioned in an episode from a few months ago. I could be way off, but I think the show will probably explore Jack’s childhood more in season three, and this was a great way to tease that possibility.
(*Minor spoiler over)
My brother and I watched this episode together, and we both decided that foster parents are usually represented in a particular way in media and television shows – doing this simply allows the show to “develop” the characters. Shameless, a show that used to be great, but is struggling for ideas now that its completed its eighth season, is the example that springs to my mind when I think of the portrayal of foster parents on television, and I think that it’s time to break from the stereotypical portrayal.
Finally, what an ending to the episode! I had a feeling that it would play out that way once I saw what was transpiring, but wow. I can’t imagine having to make a decision like that.
With next week being the season finale, I think the show will keep the events fairly neat and tidy, but that teaser trailer for the episode had quite the shocker in it – I have a very good feeling at how that character interaction will come to be, but they have certainly set themselves up for a tearjerker.
Verdict
“This Big, Amazing, Beautiful Life” is a great episode. The decision to abandon much of the Big Three, Jack, and Rebecca for an episode is bold, but works. I feel much closer to Deja now; I feel like I truly know her. While I wish the show would have strayed from stereotypical television foster parents a bit (maybe by adding in another foster home for Deja), this is my only true gripe.
I can’t believe that the season finale of This Is Us is next week. Oh, how time flies. I plan on picking up the NBC drama Rise as my next reviewed show; it is on directly after This Is Us next week. I will give the first episode a look, and see if it’s a show worth continuing (I believe it will be). If it passes my test, that will be the next show I review for Dork Daily, so give it a watch if you are so inclined!
9.25/10
