Video Librarian Reviews
The second season of this hit NBC family drama that weaves past and present to frame the story of three adult siblings and their experiences growing up as the children of Jack (Milo Ventimiglia) and Rebecca (Mandy Moore) Pearson builds on the foundation established in the first season. Successful corporate businessman Randall (Sterling K. Brown) and his wife take in a foster daughter while he struggles with a career change. Actor Kevin (Justin Hartley) lands a role in a big Hollywood movie and becomes addicted to painkillers after an injury. Kate (Chrissy Metz), who continues to struggle with her weight, prepares for her wedding to Toby (Chris Sullivan) and begins fertility treatments. The major event for fans of the show, however, is in a flashback that finally reveals how their father Jack died when they were kids, and the ways that his death continues to impact their emotional lives. The series confronts a wide range of issues—race and identity, addiction, depression, self-esteem, loss and mourning, among others—and remains the best in the rare breed of family dramedies in today's era of high-concept TV. The clever construction teases mysteries throughout but the focus always remains on the characters and their relationships. Compiling all 18 episodes from the 2017-18 second season, extras include "Aftershow" discussion featurettes for each episode. Highly recommended. (S. Axmaker). Copyright Video Librarian Reviews 2018.