One of the top-rated shows on television these days is NBC's family drama, THIS IS US. The story of the Pearson triplets, Kevin, Kate and Randall, has captivated audiences for two seasons and a lot of people I know [myself included] watch [or record] every Tuesday night at 9:00 p.m. to see what happens next ... or what happened in the past ... to shape the lives of these three characters and those closest to them.
The story is simple, and yet complex - much like real life. Jack and Rebecca Pearson are the parents of these triplets. After losing their "original" triplet during childbirth, they adopt a baby boy born on the same day who was abandoned at the fire station by his drug addicted father. These three young people then grow up as brothers and sister - two boys, one girl; two White children, one Black child - it is a convoluted mess and that is the premise of the story. Their stories are told through a series of flashbacks and present day scenes, which are all overshadowed by the death of their father, Jack, when they were 17 years old. One of the biggest ongoing mysteries of the series is "How did Jack die?". [Supposedly, the mystery will be revealed before the end of this season - we'll see]
Kevin, the oldest triplet, is a spoiled brat of a man, who makes his living as an actor. His childhood dream was to be a football star, but a knee injury as he started his college career sidelined him and he became an actor instead. His current story line is that he has become addicted to prescription pain killers as a result of a fall on a movie set. After being arrested for drunk driving, he is currently in a fancy rehab facility getting the help he needs.
Kate, the middle triplet and only girl, has spent her entire life dealing with weight issues and a food addiction. The main storyline for her character is the mother-daughter conflict that colored her childhood and has carried on into her adult life. Kate is a talented singer who, after years of managing her brother Kevin's career, is trying to break into show business as a singer, which was her mother's dream during the triplets' childhood. A daddy's girl, she appears to be the character most impacted by her father's sudden death. She just suffered a miscarriage and she and her fiance, Toby, are dealing with the aftermath and trauma of that.
And then there's Randall. A Black child, adopted into a White family - as if that is not enough to deal with - he's also an intellectual genius, which puts another level of dysfunction into an already dysfunctional family situation. In the two seasons of the show, Randall has had a nervous breakdown, quit his job and he and his wife became foster parents to a young lady who was eventually taken from their home and reunited with her biological mother. [The actor who plays this character, Sterling K. Brown, just won a Golden Globe award for his performance in the series.]
All these characters. All these children with different talents and needs and demands. And as the stories of the adult triplets are being told, the story of their childhood and of the parenting by Jack and Rebecca is also being told. You see Jack's struggle with how he can be a good parent to a young Black boy with intellectual gifts he is uncomfortable with and doesn't understand. You see Rebecca's attempt to mold her daughter into a mini-version of herself, even when it is painfully obvious that this is an almost impossible task. And how both Jack and Rebecca put their hopes and dreams for success on the shoulders of their young football star, only to have those dreams shattered in an instant.
I think the show appeals to so many viewers because when we watch it, each of us sees a little bit of Jack, Rebecca, Kevin, Kate, Randall, Sophie, Toby, Beth, and Miquel [secondary characters and significant others] in ourselves. Each time, they overcome, we are given hope that we will overcome. Each time they make a misstep, we cringe and then wait to see how they will recover. Each loss becomes our loss, each victory our victory.
Parents have an awesome responsibility when it comes to molding and shaping the lives of the children put in their care. Some of them parent very well, some of them just do the best they can, and unfortunately, some are horrible at their jobs. Some parents recognize that every child is different and therefore, need to be parented differently - while some feel like "if it worked for one, it will work for the other(s)".
The most common reference for God is of a father - a parental figure. I am so glad that my Heavenly Father KNOWS me and knows exactly how I personally need to be parented. Jeremiah 1:5 states that, "before [I] was formed in the womb, [He] knew me." [paraphased] Not only does He know every hair on my head [Luke 12:7], but He knows my thoughts, my hopes, my dreams, my future. He is there to comfort and sustain me through each trial, hurt and loss. He is there to cheer me on through every success, accomplishment and achievement. And He is there to love me every step of the way. The most wonderful thing about it all is He is there for YOU in whatever way YOU need it as well. Ain't that good news!?
Be blessed.
© 2018 Kristina E. Smith
