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‘This Is Us’ Season 5: Why do some fans hate Covid-19, Randall's reaction to BLM and George Floyd protests?

Clarifying that the episodes are not 'political' but 'difficult and hopeful', showrunner Dan Fogelman said it was really important for him

The times are changing... The two-hour premiere of ‘This Is Us’ seems to be one of the first shows to have adapted with the new world as showrunner Dan Fogelman incorporated the Covid-19 crisis, George Floyd's death and Black Lives Matter protests on the NBC show. 

The series opens with a socially-distanced hug from Kate Pearson (Chrissy Metz) and Toby Damon (Chris Sullivan) as Kevin Pearson (Justin Hartley) and Madison Simons (Caitlin Thompson) announce they are giving birth to twins. Soon after, it transitions to Randall Pearson's (Sterling K Brown) house as he watches the George Floyd protests on television with Beth (Susan Kelechi Watson) and his little girls.

Throughout the episode, the effects of the BLM can be seen in Randall's life. Remember that scene where he has a heart-to-heart conversation with Deja's boyfriend Malik (Asante Blackk)? Or when he tells Kate: “Specifically what are you apologizing for? This isn't the first Black man to be killed on camera. It's never been different for me. We grew up in the same house and we never spoke about it — not one day. I had to keep things to myself. Because I didn't want you to feel bad... All I want to do is go back to my home and to my wife.” 

Sterling K Brown posted a dialogue from the scene, “If I made things better for you, then where does that leave me? I’m sorry, but I can’t do that. That has been my pattern all my life and honestly, Kate, it is exhausting. I’m exhausted.”

That makes us wonder if the current scenario may create a divide between the Blacks and Whites on the show. As Randall grew up with a White family, it will be difficult for him to accept reality and make him lean closer to his roots. He did connect more with his biological father William (Ron Cephas Jones) and now, he might go on a search to find out who was his real mother. 

Clarifying that the episodes are not “political” but “difficult and hopeful,” showrunner Dan Fogelman said it was really important for him to get them out on television before the election. Of Randall, he said, “You have a Black man raised in a white family. It's a very specific situation for our show and our main characters. I think it’s allowing us to explore this moment that we're in, in a way that's very unique to our characters and show. It feels organic to the characters' stories.”

However, many fans haven't taken those scenes too well. One fan posted, “I love #ThisIsUs with an immense passion. But I sure wish they hadn't gone woke or whatever with BLM & covid. We're living thru it & can just turn on the news or Social Media for... Some of us like these shows to get an escape (or break) from life or whatever.” Another said, “Conservatives are really mad that #ThisIsUs got “too political” by covering BLM. HUMAN RIGHTS aren’t politics, boo. Bye. #blacklivesmatter.”

A third said, “Randall acting like his sister did something wrong because she doesn't know what he's lived through. Sorry but you're no victim, you were adopted into the most entitled socially progressive household in America. #ThisIsUs.” A fourth added, “The amount of Karen’s complaining that #ThisIsUs brought too much reality (corona and BLM movement) into the show is ridiculous. It is a show that takes place in 2020. It is supposed to be a realistic show. Watch something else if you are that b***hurt.”

However, many others loved how the show paid a tribute to the BLM movement and presented it in the right light. “I am trying my best not to cry the way I have in the past. However, this premiere is a lot. Thank you @NBCThisisUs for breaking barriers and pushing limits to express what so many have for years. #BLM #ThisIsUs,” one said and another posted, “Highlighting Covid, BLM & George Floyd, the impact of seeing senseless killing of Black bodies on Black men & challenging notions of stereotypical masculinity all in less than one hour of this show? Definitely one of the most multilayered & powerful shows out there. #ThisIsUs.”

The two-hour episode of ‘This Is Us’ premiered on Tuesday, October 27 at 9 pm ET on NBC. Catch one-hour episodes starting at 9 pm from November 3, 2020.