I won’t lie. When This Is Us premiered on NBC two years ago, I only tuned in to see Sterling K. Brown and Susan Kelechi Watson shine on network TV. But by the end of the first episode, I was fully invested in the series and the unique way it told the Pearson’s unconventional story. As the drama enters its third season, I can’t wait to see what the show’s writers do next.
Last season Kate (Chrissy Metz) and Toby (Chris Sullivan) got married; Kevin (Justin Hartley) admitted he had a substance abuse problem; Beth (Watson) and Randall (Brown) decided to become foster parents; and we finally found out how Jack (Milo Ventimiglia) died. To say that This Is Us delivered a series of gut punches during its sophomore season would be an understatement, but the show provides enough heart, humor, and yes, drama, to keep audiences coming back for more.
While this season is sure to be full of twists, turns, and tear-jerking moments, here are three things I’m hoping to find out in the upcoming season.
After overcoming some early trepidation after being placed with the Pearsons, Deja (Lyric Ross) finally seemed to warm up to her new foster family. Unfortunately, when her mother cleaned herself up, Deja returned to her precocious home life.
But after her mother realized she couldn’t actually care for her, Deja returned to the Pearson household. Sadly, their relationship seems to be regressing. When season two ended, Deja was giving Beth and Randall a hard time again, which culminated in the teen taking a bat to the windshield of Randall’s car during Kate and Toby’s wedding reception.
Even though I realize Deja has experienced more than any young girl should have to contend with at her age, I’m biased and I want her to stop giving my favorite Pearsons a hard time.
What’s up with Kevin and Zoe?
At the end of season three, Kevin seemed to finally be dealing with his demons. After getting busted for driving under the influence, he went to rehab and came clean to his family about his struggles over the years. While I wasn’t always invested in Kevin’s character (I mean, he’s a white man whose biggest beef seems to be he didn’t get enough attention as a child), I’m curious to see where he goes from here, especially now that he’s (apparently!) seeing Beth’s cousin, Zoe (Melanie Liburd).
Will Kate finally get over her obsession with her weight?
One of the main story lines thus far has been about Kate’s weight. As a child, her mother (Mandy Moore) tried to restrict her junk food intake, which only led to Kate feeling self-conscious about food and her body. When we meet grown-up Kate in the pilot, she’s upset about the numbers on the scale and committed to finally getting slim.
While Kate’s struggle with her size is definitely relatable, watching her be the tragic fat girl (a well-worn stereotype for larger women) — especially when she met a man who fell deeply in love with her — got old fast.
I hope in the new season we see more of Kate’s story beyond her weight. She’s a singer, she’s a newlywed, she wants to be a mother — hopefully her narrative shifts to accommodate this new phase in her life and doesn’t continue to revolve around her obsession with the size of her body.
Whether This Is Us’ writers answer my burning questions this season or not, one thing is clear: it’s going to be another emotional ride for the Pearsons.
This Is Us airs Tuesday at 9 p.m. on NBC.
