'This is Us' Season 4 Episode 5: Fans calling Tess "annoying" have forgotten she is a queer teen going through a lot right now
'This is Us' is the story of ordinary humans living ordinary lives, and in doing so, they represent us in our more extraordinary moments. They give us a glimpse of ourselves, and in doing this, remind us that none of us are anything less than perfect even in our imperfections.
On the NBC show, we see one of the most romantic, understanding husbands acting irrationally because of his alcoholism, we see one of the most caring, loving mothers inadvertently fat-shaming her plus-sized daughter, and so on.
We excuse these irregular behaviors because ultimately they are good people. Unfortunately, fans do not seem to be extending the same empathy for Randall's (Sterling K Brown) teenage daughter Tess (Eris Baker).
In the last few episodes, we see that Randall and Beth (Susan Kelechi Watson) are having a tough time relating to their daughter, Tess. Having just come out to her parents and friends recently, she is still trying to understand who she is.
Moreover, her parents had her uproot her entire life, without much warning, and she is tired of the heteronormative expectations that require her to come out every time she needs a new person. So, excuse her for being a little angsty.
Because of the overlapping storylines, fans also seem to have forgotten that while trying to navigate her teenage years, her father brought home his birth father — who no one knew — without any warning, and she had to watch him succumb to cancer just as she was getting to know and love him.
Randall quit his job, bought a building and decided to become a local politician in a city he has never lived in. Tess did not ask for any of this.
In the upcoming season four episode five of 'This is Us', we see Tess telling her father to stop comparing her to him and that she wants to be nothing like him.
This particular sentiment seems to have upset many fans, who believe Tess is becoming too "annoying" and that she has too much of an "attitude problem".
The fact of the matter is that most teenagers act out at home because of what is happening out in the real world, but more importantly, we know how much Randall — whom we love — tries to insert himself into every situation. He did that with Deja (Lyric Ross) as well, until she put him in his place.
Most importantly, we know from the scenes from the future that Tess grows up to be a kind, empathetic, and loving adult.
Hopefully, 'Storybook Love' will show us more of Tess' perspective and why she is acting out the way she is. Don't forget to tune in to NBC on Tuesday, October 22 to watch Season 4 Episode 5 of 'This is Us'.