This Is Us- Season two

[Breezy_Carol]

I just found this thread. So glad to have a place to see what others think about this show. None of my friends watch it.

 

[ronandannette]

Facetious you.

I can't stand when someone always seems to need a funny line. George Clooney seems very much like that in interviews. Better?

OT but I ran into him once in Toronto. He is much smaller than I ever perceived.

Now I'm embarrassed - I read it like you were talking about somebody you spent some time with. Sorry .

 

[lisaviolet]

Now I'm embarrassed - I read it like you were talking about somebody you spent some time with. Sorry .

Embarrassed?

Laughing, No need. It made me laugh, even when I thought you were being facetious Annette.

I hate to disappoint all DISCLAIMER: I HAVE NOT HAD ANY RELATIONS WITH GEORGE CLOONEY.

(But by the way Real Housewives of NYC Carole Radziwill has! And she rates him well. )

 

[lisaviolet]

I just found this thread. So glad to have a place to see what others think about this show. None of my friends watch it.

Hi Carol. It's a great thread, in my opinion.

So many differing viewpoints. Really makes me think.

 

[gillep]

I finally got caught up on this show.

I still can't stand Toby, he drives me crazy. Kate does too, but not nearly as much as Toby.

I am very sad for Kevin's story, he was so excited for the movie and getting Sophie back, and it is so sad that this is how it is going for him now.

Love the scenes with Jack and the kids, they are so sweet.

I am also really warming up to the Deja story, I love Randall, so pretty much any story with him is good for me.

 

[DisneyHardin]

I still can't stand Toby, he drives me crazy. Kate does too, but not nearly as much as Toby.

They kind of annoy me too. Also, I don't really understand how Kate is supporting herself. Is Toby just supporting her? They live in a really nice apartment in LA - so rent is probably really high, she drives a nice car, is a member of a gym, etc, etc, but she doesn't have a job.

 

[fab1976]

They kind of annoy me too. Also, I don't really understand how Kate is supporting herself. Is Toby just supporting her? They live in a really nice apartment in LA - so rent is probably really high, she drives a nice car, is a member of a gym, etc, etc, but she doesn't have a job.

Yes he probably is supporting her, as partners do when the other is making a life change like pursuing a singing career.

 

[DisneyHardin]

Yes he probably is supporting her, as partners do when the other is making a life change like pursuing a singing career.

That would be totally understandable to me if they were married, but they are just engaged with no wedding date or even wedding planning going on. My DH loved me when we were just engaged, but I'm not sure he would have been willing to just pay all my expenses before we were even married.

 

[ronandannette]

That would be totally understandable to me if they were married, but they are just engaged with no wedding date or even wedding planning going on. My DH loved me when we were just engaged, but I'm not sure he would have been willing to just pay all my expenses before we were even married.

This. I actually thought maybe they had gotten married and I'd just missed that part.

I think I once read that the title of the show is supposed to make people go "yeah, these characters are exactly like us" and identify their own family or personal dynamics. Some of the storylines are so unrealistic though - do many people actually see themselves?

 

[Funfire240]

I seem to recall--and for all I know, this could be a figment of my fevered imagination--a scene with Jack at the Vietnam Memorial in DC. That makes me think his brother died in the Vietnam War. Although I do have to wonder if the Army would really put two brothers in the same unit--maybe they do that, I don't know. But I have to wonder if Jack was there when his brother was killed.

As to the Kevin storyline--it seems odd to me that a Hollywood actor would have to doctor-shop to get drugs. Not that it's okay, but it seems like there are plenty of doctors surrounding the movie industry, that would get him whatever he needs.

I think it is unlikely that the 2 brothers would have been together but I could be wrong What I do know is that my dad served in Vietnam and while there one of his younger brothers also enlisted in the Army after dropping out of high school. My dad then volunteered for a 2nd tour in order to try to keep my uncle from having to go over there. However, as soon as my dad returned from his 2nd tour, his brother still ended up receiving orders to serve there as well. Thankfully both returned home.

 

[elgerber]

That would be totally understandable to me if they were married, but they are just engaged with no wedding date or even wedding planning going on. My DH loved me when we were just engaged, but I'm not sure he would have been willing to just pay all my expenses before we were even married.

Yeah, but this is Toby, he does everything all in and over the top.

 

[fab1976]

That would be totally understandable to me if they were married, but they are just engaged with no wedding date or even wedding planning going on. My DH loved me when we were just engaged, but I'm not sure he would have been willing to just pay all my expenses before we were even married.

Common law though, a little more than just a boyfriend. I worked part time when I first moved in with my husband years ago, he supported me quite a bit because of that. With Kate, she may still be Kevin's manager or whatever she was back when he was the Manny. She could be getting something from him as he's still acting, or she could have been paid very well for that during his Manny years. So, Toby could be supporting her fully, or she could also possibly be contributing some financial help too.

 

[anniemae]

I am drawing a blank, did they say what Toby does for work?

 

[wenrob]

I think I once read that the title of the show is supposed to make people go "yeah, these characters are exactly like us" and identify their own family or personal dynamics. Some of the storylines are so unrealistic though - do many people actually see themselves?

I relate to something almost every episode. Some too personal to mention but just a short list:

Kevin-the kid whose parents think he’s “okay” and focus their attention on the kids who “need” them. Man, let me tell ya, I was that kid. It’s a very lonely existence and having to always be “on” to prove you’re alright is exhausting. You just want someone to take it off your hands so you can just be a kid and don’t have such high expectations to live up to.

Randall-debilitating anxiety, the need to fix things, desperately wanting people to “be okay” to my own detriment.

Kate-Mom issues. Oh yeah, times two moms. Somewhere in my mid thirties I learned to make peace with a lot of it but after a recent conversation with my sister it’s clear I can’t forget. Her weight issues. My sister has been obese her entire life. She recently had weight loss surgery and I just didn’t understand it because she’s lost weight on her own in the past. Then she explained it to me, it’s not about food, not even close.

Jack-parents with addiction issues. DH the same. He also does not speak to his father and I dread the day I get the same kind of call Rebecca did. She’s a better woman than I though. Like Toby I’m “Team DH Foreva” and the amount of pain that man has caused him I won’t be giving him any kind of shot at redemption.

Rebecca-Wrapping your whole life up in your family and forgetting how to be you. Yep, have done that. Never gave anything up for it but I never pursued anything either.

eta: I have literally sat in the car waiting for a parent to come out of a bar more times than I can count. Those scenes were like a gut punch.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I just found this thread. So glad to have a place to see what others think about this show. None of my friends watch it.

We love talking about the show here, so please join right in!

 

[wenrob]

On Kate and Toby living together and finances. You don’t have to be married to someone to share a life or finances. I have known several couples who have bought homes, raised families together and never married. My DH and I shared a checking/savings account long before we were married. Back then we were on fairly equal financial ground but I have no doubt he would have picked up the slack if he’d needed to. But I don’t think Toby needs to. I get the impression Kate has her own money.

 

[Dentam]

I finally just broke down and bought the season on amazon. Tried watching it for free on NBC's site and the crap load of commercials even on there just did me in. SO happy to watch every episode without commercials now!

Anyway, things that stuck out to me in this episode:

Rebecca really loves her family and I think she really did show that in the flashbacks with Kate this episode. No snarky veiled weight related comments, which was nice.

Toby is over the top I agree - I get exhausted by people like that too who always have to be "on". I'd never be able to be with someone like that, though he is funny.

Jack's brother was a surprise I wasn't expecting. I'm kind of dreading seeing the flashbacks of what happened to him though. I'll be bawling I'm sure.

Randall is still my favorite character on the show and I loved that he made some progress with Deja by just backing off a bit and waiting for her to talk to him. I like this story line so far.

Kevin is also an interesting character to me and I have to say that the acting here is really good, both by the young actor playing him and Justin Hartley. I'm looking forward to seeing this play out, though I agree with others who say he might lose Sophie and his big acting break as a result.

Oh, and I agree that Kate probably has her own money. I also understand her not wanting to get her hopes up about the baby given everything she has gone through in her life.

 

[elgerber]

I relate to something almost every episode. Some too personal to mention but just a short list:

I didn't realize I related to much, but when Kate was telling Toby how it might not happen, I said out loud "Oh Kate, 7 months of fear, that's awful", the immediately it came to me, and out came "oh...been there done that" to my husband. My first pregnancy I started bleeding at 20 weeks and my son was born at 34 weeks. So my 2nd pregnancy, I was pretty much terrified anytime I went to the bathroom for the entire pregnancy, so I get it her fear.

 

[amberpi]

I relate to something almost every episode. Some too personal to mention but just a short list:
.

I love your very real shares on the Dis. You're obviously incredibly strong. Sometimes it helps to hear that other people have crappy crap they've had to deal with, even if its not the crappy crap you've had to deal with, does that make sense? Anyhow, thank you.

 

[amberpi]

Yes.

I actually said last night I wonder if Milo is having problems dating now, if he still is single. Women must think he's like Jack. Can you imagine living up to that?

If Milo is having dating problems, I'd volunteer as tribute.