By introducing these "strangers" without immediate context, the show forced us to see them as individuals before they became "Pearson-adjacent." It was a rich reminder that television is a portal to humanity , celebrating the deep tangles of connection that define us. The Big Reveal
What did you think of the storyline specifically? "This Is Us" Strangers(2019)
This episode subverted the "Big Three" formula to expand the show’s world. It explored themes of authentically facing mental health challenges and the way strangers eventually become family . It reminded us that every person we pass on the street has a story as complex and "Pearson-level" emotional as our own. It explored themes of authentically facing mental health
Here is a blog post looking back at why this episode was a game-changer. For the first 40 minutes, the episode focuses
For the first 40 minutes, the episode focuses almost exclusively on three new characters:
meets Deja at a barbecue, beginning a pivotal romance.
A military veteran struggling with PTSD and reintegrating into civilian life.