Spotting Familiar Faces (and a Few Gray Hairs) in "The Train"
Okay, "The Train." We all cried, right? Don't lie. But between the sobs, did you notice everyone who showed up? The This Is Us crew really brought out the big guns for this one.
Of course, we had our core Pearson family. Mandy Moore slayed as always. I still don't understand how she manages to age up AND down so convincingly. Is it magic? Probably.
And Sterling K. Brown? He brought the emotional intensity. Honestly, he could read a grocery list and I'd tear up. Someone give that man an award!
The Big Three: Always There (Even When They're Not)
Chrissy Metz and Justin Hartley rounded out the Big Three. Did anyone else think Kevin's hair was particularly sculpted in this episode? Just me? Okay.
Even though some characters were only in flashbacks or dream sequences, their presence was felt. Like Milo Ventimiglia. Can we all agree that Jack Pearson is the ultimate TV dad?
Unpopular opinion: I sometimes think Jack is *too* perfect. Give the guy a flaw! Maybe he secretly hates puppies? (Just kidding... mostly.)
Supporting Players Who Stole Our Hearts (and Our Tissues)
Let's not forget the supporting cast! Susan Kelechi Watson, aka Beth Pearson, was fantastic as usual. Her no-nonsense attitude is seriously underrated.
And Chris Sullivan (Toby) brought the feels. I'm still not over their divorce. Can we get a Toby spin-off where he just bakes amazing desserts and gives life advice? I'd watch it.
Even little Nicky, played by Griffin Dunne, had a poignant moment. Honestly, I'm so glad Nicky finally found happiness. He deserved it!
Hidden Gems and "Wait, Was That...?" Moments
Did anyone else do a double take when they saw Alexandra Breckenridge (Sophie) pop up? Their love story is like a rollercoaster. But a very emotional, tear-jerking rollercoaster.
And the young actors! They're seriously talented. Playing younger versions of the Big Three isn't easy. Kaz Womack, Ca'Ron Jaden Moore, and Izaac Wang all deserve a shoutout.
Plus, so many other familiar faces graced the screen! Seeing all these characters come together, even briefly, made "The Train" feel like a true celebration of the show's journey.
Final Thoughts: A Nostalgic Farewell
The casting in "The Train" was spot-on. It was a reminder of all the characters we've come to know and love (or love to hate).
This Is Us really knew how to create a cast that felt like a family. And that's probably why the show resonated with so many people.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go rewatch the entire series...again. Pass the tissues!
