This Is Us

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No surprise that Kevin is racist even towards his own brother since he was an infant. In all his years he only referred to Randall and his brother in public once! I can only imagine how Randall must feel. Even Kate seems ambivalent towards Randall and only focuses on her looks. I'm glad Randall grew up to have a loving wife.

Oh good grief. Kevin's not "racist." Honestly, the way that word is thrown around these days is so tiresome. He was the sibling who felt he didn't get as much attention as the other two (though I think that was just his perception - he had two very loving parents). Kate always had weight issues and Randall never felt fully he fit in due to not only his race, but also his superior intelligence. Kevin resented all the attention they got, especially Randall. He didn't dislike Randall because he was black! I'd argue that Randall grew up in a much more loving home than many people; he certainly wasn't lacking for love when he married his wife!

Again this is your opinion but I do not believe that Kevin would go his whole life and not claim Randall if he were white. I've heard plenty of stories of TRAs being mistreated and even called the n-word by their white siblings. You can keep dismissing white racism if you want to; it why we have Trump as our President.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the breakdown between Randall and Rebecca is one of the saddest moments I've watched on TV. I may be too vested in these characters but I'll be crushed if mom and son can't reconcile.

It was necessary; she's been lying to him his whole life (and possibly even her husband; not sure about that). Now that the truth is out they can work to repair it. Now I get why his wife was so forceful with Rebecca, she knew it was going to crush him to not know the truth. I love their relationship.

[Anonymous]

Someone mentioned it earlier and I'm starting to agree that the black characters are slipping into 'magical negro' territory (especially William). That speech William gave to the English girl I could see the glimmer from his halo shining. Olivia is falling into the 'angry black woman' stereotype because of how forceful she was with her mother-in-law but she's not quite there so I'm giving them room. Randall's entire existence is a form of the 'magical negro' stereotype because of Becca's son dying and him magically showing up in the nick of time to complete their Big Three. The writers have to be careful from now on. Hopefully the Thanksgiving confrontation will throw a wrench in how the characters is playing out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Someone mentioned it earlier and I'm starting to agree that the black characters are slipping into 'magical negro' territory (especially William). That speech William gave to the English girl I could see the glimmer from his halo shining. Olivia is falling into the 'angry black woman' stereotype because of how forceful she was with her mother-in-law but she's not quite there so I'm giving them room. Randall's entire existence is a form of the 'magical negro' stereotype because of Becca's son dying and him magically showing up in the nick of time to complete their Big Three. The writers have to be careful from now on. Hopefully the Thanksgiving confrontation will throw a wrench in how the characters is playing out.

Excuse me; Beth not Olivia. Major error.

[Anonymous]

I disagree about all the AA characters becoming what you describe. The best written characters (and the best performances as far as i can see) are Randall and Beth. Nothing magical there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I disagree about all the AA characters becoming what you describe. The best written characters (and the best performances as far as i can see) are Randall and Beth. Nothing magical there.

This. Plus, William is a poet so his imagery is totally understandable. If any character is veering toward magical, it is dead Jack and his bagful of sourest lemon => lemonade memories.

On a separate note I love Randall teasing Kevin about Olivia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I disagree about all the AA characters becoming what you describe. The best written characters (and the best performances as far as i can see) are Randall and Beth. Nothing magical there.

I agree with this. As a Black woman, I think the relationship between Beth and Randall is so, so real. She isn't teetering on the brink of an ABW; she LOVES her husband and she is fiercely protective of him because he is a sensitive soul (and has been since he was little). If this were a white couple, everyone would applaud the wife because white women are stereotypically perceived as passive and Black women are stereotypically perceived as strong, tough and angry all the damn time. These are just false constructs that we've created in our minds. I know plenty of assertive, take-no-prisoners white women who will slay a dragon for their family and I know plenty of docile, passive Black women who "stay in their place".

Randall is a gentle guy who started off with a bad break; drug addicted parents. He's not magical, he's a broken guy with a happy life because he hasn't been able to put the pieces together yet. As the pieces of his life slowly start to take shape, I think we will see a guy who will be emotionally drained for a while. And if I'm his wife... I'm going to do all I can to make sure that the people around him are transparent and loving.

[Anonymous]

I wonder if William will take the blame from Rebecca, or was there a reveal in the letter about how it was her idea to keep W out if the way?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the teenager Randell and the teenager Kevin look JUST like how I imagined them to look as teens. That never happens in a show or movie. They even have the mannerisms down. Impressive casting!

They talked and acted just like the older versions! It was really uncanny.

That's called acting, usually helped by a good director.

thanks for that insightful clarification

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the teenager Randell and the teenager Kevin look JUST like how I imagined them to look as teens. That never happens in a show or movie. They even have the mannerisms down. Impressive casting!

They talked and acted just like the older versions! It was really uncanny.

That's called acting, usually helped by a good director.

thanks for that insightful clarification

Well you sounded like it was some kind of frigging miracle and I felt I had to set you straight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the teenager Randell and the teenager Kevin look JUST like how I imagined them to look as teens. That never happens in a show or movie. They even have the mannerisms down. Impressive casting!

They talked and acted just like the older versions! It was really uncanny.

That's called acting, usually helped by a good director.

thanks for that insightful clarification

Well you sounded like it was some kind of frigging miracle and I felt I had to set you straight.

NP. Oh, c'mon! I agree with PP that the young actors were remarkably believable. If casting directors and child actors routinely pulled this off so well, it wouldn't have been so noticeable to many of us in this case.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the teenager Randell and the teenager Kevin look JUST like how I imagined them to look as teens. That never happens in a show or movie. They even have the mannerisms down. Impressive casting!

They talked and acted just like the older versions! It was really uncanny.

That's called acting, usually helped by a good director.

thanks for that insightful clarification

Well you sounded like it was some kind of frigging miracle and I felt I had to set you straight.

NP. Oh, c'mon! I agree with PP that the young actors were remarkably believable. If casting directors and child actors routinely pulled this off so well, it wouldn't have been so noticeable to many of us in this case.

This. Precisely.
Children portraying younger versions of characters are never this good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No surprise that Kevin is racist even towards his own brother since he was an infant. In all his years he only referred to Randall and his brother in public once! I can only imagine how Randall must feel. Even Kate seems ambivalent towards Randall and only focuses on her looks. I'm glad Randall grew up to have a loving wife.

Oh good grief. Kevin's not "racist." Honestly, the way that word is thrown around these days is so tiresome. He was the sibling who felt he didn't get as much attention as the other two (though I think that was just his perception - he had two very loving parents). Kate always had weight issues and Randall never felt fully he fit in due to not only his race, but also his superior intelligence. Kevin resented all the attention they got, especially Randall. He didn't dislike Randall because he was black! I'd argue that Randall grew up in a much more loving home than many people; he certainly wasn't lacking for love when he married his wife!

Again this is your opinion but I do not believe that Kevin would go his whole life and not claim Randall if he were white. I've heard plenty of stories of TRAs being mistreated and even called the n-word by their white siblings. You can keep dismissing white racism if you want to; it why we have Trump as our President.

Are you for real? Kevin was dismissive of Randall when they were growing up because Randall was sort of nerdy, really smart, and the apple of their mother's eye. Not because he was black! Kevin has a great relationship with his black SIL and black nieces. Not everything can be conveniently blamed on race. Sorry you want to play that card, but it's not working here.

Also, it's unfortunate you felt the need to bring politics into a TV show thread. Actually, it's pathetic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I disagree about all the AA characters becoming what you describe. The best written characters (and the best performances as far as i can see) are Randall and Beth. Nothing magical there.

The "Magical Negro" trope refers only to William. It's entirely accurate. Every time he opens his mouth, it's to dispense more wonderful nuggets of wisdom. I like his character (who wouldn't? He's virtually angelic), but it's now bordering on schmaltzy. The writers definitely need to ease up on that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I disagree about all the AA characters becoming what you describe. The best written characters (and the best performances as far as i can see) are Randall and Beth. Nothing magical there.

I agree with this. As a Black woman, I think the relationship between Beth and Randall is so, so real. She isn't teetering on the brink of an ABW; she LOVES her husband and she is fiercely protective of him because he is a sensitive soul (and has been since he was little). If this were a white couple, everyone would applaud the wife because white women are stereotypically perceived as passive and Black women are stereotypically perceived as strong, tough and angry all the damn time. These are just false constructs that we've created in our minds. I know plenty of assertive, take-no-prisoners white women who will slay a dragon for their family and I know plenty of docile, passive Black women who "stay in their place".

Randall is a gentle guy who started off with a bad break; drug addicted parents. He's not magical, he's a broken guy with a happy life because he hasn't been able to put the pieces together yet. As the pieces of his life slowly start to take shape, I think we will see a guy who will be emotionally drained for a while. And if I'm his wife... I'm going to do all I can to make sure that the people around him are transparent and loving.

I agree with you, but just wanted to point out the Magical Negro phenomenon applies only to William. It has nothing to do with the other black characters. Google it.