This Is Us- Season 3

[soccerdad72]

It was interesting seeing the backstory on Beth, and I suppose most characters are getting their 'own show', but I thought last night was kind of dull overall.

 

[QueenIsabella]

I absolutely loved the This is Beth episode. I loved the casting so much. I loved that her dad had a real Jamaican accent. I love how much her younger selves look so much like older Beth. Love Phylica Rashad.

The best part is I love that Beth realizes that if Mama C hadn't sent her to a regular college that she wouldn't have met the love of her life Randall. I watched them bumping into each other a few times .

I have to say what happened to Beth with the Dance teacher happens so frequently pitting two young black talented women against each other. It makes it seem like there can't be space for 2 out it the world which is so false...

I liked the episode, too. Maybe because I grew up poor, and was very close to my father, that I could really relate to young Beth.

I thought that she didn't get the solo, in part, because her dad had just died, and they didn't know how soon she'd be back in class. Her teacher said something to that effect.

Excellent casting all around--the younger Beths looked very much like the "original", even down to the mannerisms. And ya gotta love "America's Mom" being her mom.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I thought that she didn't get the solo, in part, because her dad had just died, and they didn't know how soon she'd be back in class. Her teacher said something to that effect.

I wondered that too, but I also thought he might be transferring his hopes to the other girl because she was more "willowy" (based on something I thought Beth said earlier about not being the right shape??) I found this article about a real ballerina interesting:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/dance/11675707/Misty-Copeland-ballerina-interview.html

 

[Mika02]

I wondered that too, but I also thought he might be transferring his hopes to the other girl because she was more "willowy" (based on something I thought Beth said earlier about not being the right shape??) I found this article about a real ballerina interesting:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/dance/11675707/Misty-Copeland-ballerina-interview.html

I believe it was some of both. It made it easier to give up on Beth and his guilt when her dad died.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

I found this episode rather boring. One thing that didn't make sense to me, they made a big deal about being able to afford the dance academy (dad had to work OT and mom had to teach summer school). But when dad got sick and eventually passed away, how did they continue to pay for it? I was expecting THAT to be the reason she stopped dancing, not because she wasn't good enough.

The best part of the episode was Beth running into young Randall.

 

[PollyannaMom]

One thing that didn't make sense to me, they made a big deal about being able to afford the dance academy (dad had to work OT and mom had to teach summer school). But when dad got sick and eventually passed away, how did they continue to pay for it?

I wondered that as well. Maybe Mom had already been promoted to principal by the time he died? Plus, the three siblings (besides Zoe) were older, so maybe fewer mouths to feed by then?

 

[anniemae]

I liked the episode, I loved at the end when Randall said, "when have we ever listened to people?" It was reminiscent of her dad saying "when have we ever listened to the odds?" I thought, once again, the casting was stellar. LOVED the dad.

 

[QueenIsabella]

I wondered that too, but I also thought he might be transferring his hopes to the other girl because she was more "willowy" (based on something I thought Beth said earlier about not being the right shape??) I found this article about a real ballerina interesting:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/dance/11675707/Misty-Copeland-ballerina-interview.html

We were discussing the similarities to Misty Copeland (me and DD15, who dances ballet) during the episode. The one thing that bothered us was, during the entire episode, they kept it all about ballet, but then at the end, Beth's dancing was much more like modern or jazz. I recognize that this might have been the limitations of the actress, or you could spin it that she found the movement more freeing, literally and figuratively. But it was noticeable--and irritating to DD15, who has to work really hard for every ballet gain she makes (she recently earned her pointe shoes).

BTW, the dad was played by Carl Lumly--I can't for the life of me remember what he's been in through the years, but I definitely recognized the name.

 

[lisaviolet]

Carl Lumbly was Marcus on Alias.

I LOVE him. One, unfortunately and fortunately, he reminds me so much of someone I adored in my life and has passed.

And two, Marcus Dixon was an amazing character on his own but the scenes between him and Jennifer Garner were exquisite.

I was overjoyed to see him last night. And a little teary eyed.

 

[lisaviolet]

I didn't love this episode. The house scene was completely ridiculous on every level. And Rebecca trying to make Kevin leave the autograph line was infuriating. She's really that selfish to risk missing the autograph because she needed lunch?? It was obviously really important to him and I'm glad he stood his ground and refused to leave. I hated Kevin taking the drink at the end. What a sad way to end the episode.

Agreed about the house scene two weeks ago. Lazy, lazy writing.

Rebecca, I have a different perspective. She failed Kevin for sure in that moment (I am using the word fail but I certainly don't mean it it a dramatic way). Parents probably fail their children most weeks, if not days. Well mine most likely did! And I loved them. So flawed characters are realistic.

I used to argue this on Mad Men threads. People were always on Betty Draper and her ways. Well my parents were the same age as Betty and Don and most mothers in my neighbourhood, at that different period, had moments of being aloof, harsh and black and white (but loving too!)

I just saw Rebecca as being tired, stressed and impatient. Annoying but normal emotions that cause all of us to make very poor choices towards those we love.

But as an aside, I have been saying since day one that Kevin suffered the most from both parents spending so much of their time focused on whether Randall was okay in life.

And Kate - weight etc.

Kevin, oh he's fine.

But he wasn't.

Also some childhood neighbors came back as adults to my neighborhood to visit the house they grew up in.... so it does happen.

Yes it does. That scene was ridiculous and lazy but yes it does!

I sat outside one of my childhood homes. The owner literally demanded that we come in. She came to the car.

It was HYSTERICAL. No one had changed the GOLD SHAG carpet from the seventies. I tried to hide my shock that no one ripped it out.

And I nearly fell over seeing my brother's room. No bigger than a walk in closet (not joking). I don't even understand how a bed got in there.

My sisters' room was MASSIVE in my mind. It wasn't.

And I love small homes.

So sweet of the owner. Lovely memory.

Not sure what is happening with this season.

I know. It is not must see for me at all. Lazy writing and a lack of humour and levity for me. Season one balanced emotional scenes with levity more often.

• Dr. Luka!!

Never was an ER watcher.

But loved him in some movies. Sexy. And has not aged all that much.

I loved the casting so much. I loved that her dad had a real Jamaican accent. I love how much her younger selves look so much like older Beth. Love Phylica Rashad.

I LOVED The Cosby Show and loved her character on it.

But I was nothing but completely irritated just to see her. She had quite the words during the Cosby accusations. It was distracting for me to have her cast (But I loved the character in that some parents are very much like her. Great writing/great acting by Rashad.)

And before anyone thinks I can't understand/have empathy for supporting those you love/friends/family - I get that.

But I will not forget some of her public accusations against his victims.

I have to say what happened to Beth with the Dance teacher happens so frequently pitting two young black talented women against each other. It makes it seem like there can't be space for 2 out it the world which is so false...

And that's the world people refuse to see. We do not all walk in the same damn world. But people are not open enough to see that. They concentrate on blatant, and refuse to see or try to understand subtle. That goes on daily.

Okay then, I am on a roll. Sighing.

LOVED the dad.

Already posted on him ----- But YES!

And lost the post about his accent. If he truly had been full on patois (Jamaican dialect) we wouldn't have caught most of the dialogue. Made me laugh and smile EDIT: Not being uppity here - simply smiling if they had allowed him to go full on. Imagining that.

Great casting all around - him and the two girls. And like I said Phylicia Rashad did a great job, it is my issue.

----------

Oh and last week I absolutely loved the subtle interaction between Deja and Randall. The love she has for him. She is such a great actress. Hoping she has a long career.

 

[Squirlz]

We were discussing the similarities to Misty Copeland (me and DD15, who dances ballet) during the episode. The one thing that bothered us was, during the entire episode, they kept it all about ballet, but then at the end, Beth's dancing was much more like modern or jazz. I recognize that this might have been the limitations of the actress, or you could spin it that she found the movement more freeing, literally and figuratively. But it was noticeable--and irritating to DD15, who has to work really hard for every ballet gain she makes (she recently earned her pointe shoes).

She just wanted to be "The little girl who danced" again. That's all.

 

[PollyannaMom]

BTW, the dad was played by Carl Lumly--I can't for the life of me remember what he's been in through the years, but I definitely recognized the name.

Carl Lumbly was Marcus on Alias.

I LOVE him.

I really liked him as the dad too!

He was in a lot:
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0525855/?ref_=tt_cl_t3

but I think this one might be where I recognized him from:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0213565/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_63

(And I couldn't tell whether the accent was accurate if you paid me, but it was pretty!)

 

[kimblebee]

We were discussing the similarities to Misty Copeland (me and DD15, who dances ballet) during the episode. The one thing that bothered us was, during the entire episode, they kept it all about ballet, but then at the end, Beth's dancing was much more like modern or jazz. I recognize that this might have been the limitations of the actress, or you could spin it that she found the movement more freeing, literally and figuratively. But it was noticeable--and irritating to DD15, who has to work really hard for every ballet gain she makes (she recently earned her pointe shoes).

BTW, the dad was played by Carl Lumly--I can't for the life of me remember what he's been in through the years, but I definitely recognized the name.

I thought that about Beth at the end too. Her dancing looked way more contemporary than ballet. And I feel qualified to say that having watched most seasons of So You think You can dance LOL

 

[PollyannaMom]

I liked the episode, I loved at the end when Randall said, "when have we ever listened to people?" It was reminiscent of her dad saying "when have we ever listened to the odds?" I thought, once again, the casting was stellar. LOVED the dad.

I just had the episode on again while I was doing stuff, and I purposely paid attention to that part. You are so right about those lines - and I love that Beth seemed to notice it too, not just us in the audience!

 

[Dentam]

I loved that her dad had a real Jamaican accent.

I immediately recognized him from Alias - he did a few different accents in that show and is a great actor in my opinion!

I thought that about Beth at the end too. Her dancing looked way more contemporary than ballet. And I feel qualified to say that having watched most seasons of So You think You can dance LOL

In an interview with the actress, they talked to her about her own background in dance and how she started out in ballet but quit when she was 12-13 because she didn't have the "right" body type. She has experience in many other styles of dance and did all of her own dancing (no stunt double) for the final scene of this episode.

I just had the episode on again while I was doing stuff, and I purposely paid attention to that part. You are so right about those lines - and I love that Beth seemed to notice it too, not just us in the audience!

Yes, and I liked how the adult Beth turned and talked to her dad (actually the chair where he always sat) - making up for not saying what she had on her mind in that moment when she was younger. As an adult she told him that she married a man who was so much like him she could hardly believe it. Then the wording in the car with Randall just drove that point home of how similar he is to her dad.

A very well done episode!

 

[Dentam]

Multiple media outlets are reporting that the show runners have said that they will likely end This Is Us after season 6.

While I'm sad about that, I'm also happy at the same time because so many shows go on for way too long and the characters' stories suffer in the process.

 

[kimblebee]

Multiple media outlets are reporting that the show runners have said that they will likely end This Is Us after season 6.

While I'm sad about that, I'm also happy at the same time because so many shows go on for way too long and the characters' stories suffer in the process.

So, we only have like 3 1/2 seasons left?!?

 

[Dentam]

So, we only have like 3 1/2 seasons left?!?

Most likely, unless they change their minds!

 

[Mika02]

I found this episode rather boring. One thing that didn't make sense to me, they made a big deal about being able to afford the dance academy (dad had to work OT and mom had to teach summer school). But when dad got sick and eventually passed away, how did they continue to pay for it? I was expecting THAT to be the reason she stopped dancing, not because she wasn't good enough.

The best part of the episode was Beth running into young Randall.

So more then likely since Beth's father was a Police officer for a pretty long time I'm sure they received a good amount of insurance money when he died that and by then her mom was probably a principal with great extra insurance as well.

We were discussing the similarities to Misty Copeland (me and DD15, who dances ballet) during the episode. The one thing that bothered us was, during the entire episode, they kept it all about ballet, but then at the end, Beth's dancing was much more like modern or jazz. I recognize that this might have been the limitations of the actress, or you could spin it that she found the movement more freeing, literally and figuratively. But it was noticeable--and irritating to DD15, who has to work really hard for every ballet gain she makes (she recently earned her pointe shoes).

BTW, the dad was played by Carl Lumly--I can't for the life of me remember what he's been in through the years, but I definitely recognized the name.

I know that Susan show she took a bunch of refresher Ballet courses on her Instagram but I don't think Beth intends on just teaching Ballet. Also I think she was just enjoying being free for once in the last 21 years.

 

[mom2rtk]

Loved seeing Dr. Luka again!

I always love seeing Phylicia Rashad. I've enjoyed her in the Creed movies. And I've loved seeing her sister Debbie Allen in Grey's and Swat. What a talented pair of sisters.

But Beth going back and teaching dance? And Randall in his new job as a councilman? They must be doing a great job watering that money tree in their basement.