Anyone who hasn’t yet tuned in to This Is Us has sorely missed out on a few good cries thanks to the ridiculously good writers. The show tells the story of a broken family, whose past and current lives intertwine to teach life lessons. Each episode delivers a new change, epiphany, or loss to the Pearson family that makes hearts ache and opens the floodgates. Even the manliest of men will be reaching for a tissue by the end of one of Jack Pearson’s monologues.
Even without knowing the rich history of this ordinary family from Philly, these 10 This Is Us quotes are sure to get you choked up.
10. Jack Pearson
This quote is a brief snippet from one of Jack’s notorious tear-jerker speeches… a charming quality that he seems to have passed down to every member of his family. We have seen a few glimpses of Jack’s harsh past, which is why the love he has for Rebecca is so all-encompassing. She truly is his everything, and he proves time and time again that no matter how hard life hits them, he will always be there by her side. In short, Jack is the too-good-to-be-true type of husband.
“You’re not just my great love story, Rebecca, you are my big break. And our love story? I know it may not feel like it right now, baby, but I promise you, it’s just getting started."- Jack to Rebecca
9. Rebecca Pearson
Unlike her husband, Rebecca’s life seems to have been quite cushioned. Her breaking point and most life-altering change happens once she finds herself raising three kids alone. One of which (Randall) happens to be adopted. You can tell that after the loss of her husband, Rebecca becomes more fierce and realistic with the curveballs that life throws. She’s willing to see life as it is, the ups and downs, and the things that might not be so easy to admit to.
“Our marriage wasn’t perfect, it’s true. But none are. Your father wasn’t perfect either, but he was pretty damn close. As close as they come. He pushed a stranger on me, and that stranger became my child, and that child became my life. He became you.”- Rebecca to Randall
8. Dr. Nathon Katowski
Probably one of the most heart-wrenching quotes out the entire series so far. Dr. K., the man who delivered Rebecca’s children, made a surprise visit to Jack’s funeral where he delivers this beautiful line. It was an unexpected cameo, that hit audiences right in the feels. This quote redirects back to a small encouraging speech he gave to Jack the day they lost one of their children when he told him: “There’s no lemon so sour that you can’t make something resembling lemonade.”
“You’re as tough as they come, Rebecca Pearson. You just didn’t make something resembling lemonade, dear. You made one of the sweetest damn pitchers of lemonade I ever saw.” -Dr. K to Rebecca
7. Kate Pearson
It seems that Kate has had this one-sided internal battle with herself concerning her mother since she was a child. She constantly puts herself in competition with her mother, who is nothing short of supportive. At this moment after her son, Jack is born, we see Kate owning up to the fact that her mother has always been a source of magic in her life.
“I want you to be here for me, but even more for Jack. I want my son to grow up with that Rebecca Pearson level magic, too.”- Kate to Rebecca
6. Toby Damon
We are constantly seeing the Pearson family endure trials of heartache and tough times. Some we have personally been through ourselves, and some we haven’t. This quote from Toby really drives home the idea of the relatability of these characters. It’s small lines like these that really make the show, as well as the big speeches.
“The hardest part… about seeing someone you love in pain is not being able to do anything about it, except try not to make it worse.”
5. Randall Pearson
This Is Us has a bevy of characters that are so well-received because they show all of their colors.
“It’s family that makes me special, you four are what makes me great. And I’m sorry if I haven’t done a good job of showing you that enough lately.” Randall to Beth
Randall, who follows in the footsteps of his father as devoted husband extraordinaire, frequently dispels any doubt that his family means the most to him. Even in times of greed, he is quick to point out his flaws and never lets his family forgets that they are his #1.
4. Beth Pearson
Another line that truly drives home the This Is Us mantra that life isn’t perfect. While Randall and Beth seem to be the picture-perfect couple, we have seen in the latest episodes that this is clearly not the case. Beth seems filled with doubt, and it’s made clear here in this quote where she admits she didn’t expect to end up with her husband.
“I wasn’t expecting you. I didn’t think that we would end up together. The single most extraordinary thing I’ve ever done with my life is fall in love with you. I’ve never been seen so completely, loved so passionately and protected so fiercely.” - Beth to Randall
3. William Hill
William, Randall’s birth father, has had nothing but a tough life. It’s a life that is seemingly full of regret. Yet, in the end, he reveals what truly mattered to him. These bursts of exposition from the heart-warming characters in this show are so impactful because they always hit just a little too close to home.
“I haven’t had a happy life. Bad breaks. Bad choices. A life of almosts and could-haves. Some would call it sad, but I don’t. ‘Cause the two best things in my life were the person in the very beginning and the person at the very end. That’s a pretty good thing to be able to say, I think.”
2. Kevin Pearson
Kevin, the stud and celebrity of this family, is constantly searching for answers in his life. In this adorable speech made to his niece, he tries to explain what it is that truly makes one whole.
“I think that’s sort of how it works you know? We go through life slowly but surely collecting these little pieces of ourselves that we can’t really live without until we eventually have enough of them to feel whole.”
The fascinating thing about the speeches the Pearsons so eloquently (and frequently) deliver is that they are presumably reaching these conclusions themselves as they deliver these beautiful words of advice.
1. Deja
Just when we begin to see the flaws within the Pearson family, there is a young, intelligent little girl who smacks us right back into Sob City. Deja, whose early home life can be described as bleak, constantly reminds the Pearsons how lucky they are to have one another and remind them of the fairytale-like love that we have grown to admire in This Is Us.
“He loves you like he’s in a Disney movie or something. He hears tiny forest animals singing or playing kazoos or something, whenever you walk into a room. But if you’re sad, then you should talk to him. He’ll tell you you’re exceptional and he’ll say it so easy that you’ll believe it.”- Deja to Beth
