This episode and The Visitor on ST-DS9 are two of the best Black Father/Son episodes ever. I cry every time I see them both and remember my dad. Thanks for these great performances and writing.
This is the podcast that y’all should WATCH if you can rather than listen to. I will listen also because talking about this episode brings it all back. But WATCHING these three phenomenal actors react is precious and special. Bravo 👏👏👏
After watching "Memphis" again, I realize how much I didn't appreciate it at the time. Wow, I'm so happy I had the opportunity to really "see" it this time. It's such a powerful episode for sure.
💖 Oh I love that this podcast is also filmed and produced in such high quality for RU-vid. I love how empathetic and emotionally balanced you are and not afraid of the tears flowing. That makes you so real, so likeable and authentic. I love it. Thank you so much. Sterling 💖 you have touched my heart deeply with your story. Best wishes from Germany 💖
Wow it’s ironic that this dropped on the day of my dad’s birthday who passed away more than a decade ago. This was hard one to get through but also very healing (like the show). Thank you for gifting this podcast to us 💜
I forgot this was the episode William died. My husband walked in during the scene when Randall was sitting beside William at the hospital and I was sobbing. I waved him away and said come back later. He had realized which episode it was when he heard the music at the beginning. My dad died a few months ago and it hit me so hard. I had two weeks of sitting with him but he couldn't communicate. I could just talk to him. I felt so jealous of Randall getting that time to talk to his dad. This show mimics so many times in my life. I have no idea how I will deal with the end of the show as my mom has dementia. And Durn if ya'll didn't have me crying during the podcast.
Jermel Nakia is PHENOMENAL! His portrayal of younger William😢😢😢❤❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉 He and Ron Cephas Jones (older William) are in their OWN LEAUGES!❤ Every episode with him and Ron made me bawl my eyes out and fully embrace life with more transparency and unconditional! Truly gifts to this world. ❤
I love how William says in the hospital to Randall how deserving he is of all the good things in his life. That's huge. Another beautiful and healing scene.
This is the episode I tell people to watch if they have never seen the show. It is so beautifully and masterfully done, and it is my absolute favorite episode.
This is one of the most powerful episodes. We're sad because of the story but also because we never completely healed in real life. Some of us had to be strong in order to make the decisions, carry out wishes and complete tasks. We patted ourselves on the back for being strong and dealing with it but we never had the opportunity to truly grieve. Thanks to all of the This is Us team for giving us the space, time and permission to begin the process or get closure to all those emotions and memories of the past. Hugs to everyone. You are not alone.
THIS was the episode that led to me sharing the show with my teenage sons. And the show became a huge blessing for me and my boys. What a beautiful episode with you three discussing Memphis. The parallels to Sterling's life is amazing! And I ended up in tears again. So beautiful!
I rewatched this episode only for this podcast. It was really hard. My mother passed in March of this year and I was with her to the very end. Sterling, thank you for sharing your story with your father. I’m moved by your vulnerability. I’ve been a huge fan of yours and now I simply adore you. The way that Mandy and Chris held the space for you was beautiful to watch. Thank you for giving new life to my favorite show. ❤
Both Ron and Jermel melted my heart in every scene. What a beautiful energy and voice both had... What a sweetness... What a pressence... Another gift from the show was to have the chance to get to know them.
What a powerful emotional episode this was. Even to the point that it comes through this podcast! Thank you once more for giving life to these stories; for being human and open regarding your own experiences. The last memory Sterling had of his father and the way he was able to say goodbye to William; truly astonishing how life comes back full circle sometimes. And Jermel's story of his interaction with the restaurant owner and how the show impacted his life...remarkable! Thank you, thank you all :')
This is such a wonderful episode. William was such a beloved character and your memorial to Ron was beautiful. Hearing Sterling's story and the parallels between his dad and William's passing brought tears. Also how Sterling felt with Ron's scenes knowing how sick he was as I didn't know that until the podcasts started. I loved seeing Jermel and hearing his thoughts, also. Thank you for your podcast and this episode!! ❤
This episode tore me up. I cried on other episodes but this was the first episode that make me scream and cry. No tv should ever make you feel like that lol
Whenever I watch this episode, I have to decide ahead of time whether or not I am going to surrender to the moment of William taking his last breath. Randall holding William face. So heartwarming.
It wasn't mentioned here, but the use of the lighting in this episode was amazing! The angles of what appeared to be sunlight directly on/behind Ron kind of enhanced the story without words. That's one of the things I noticed the very first time watching.
Thank you sooooooooooooo much Sterling K. Brown😢😢😢😢😢 I can't believe what you went thru with your dad and thanks for sharing your story😪😪😪 Also sharing the path of your character into your own life😮😮 Life works in mysterious ways and I am sooooo happy you got the role of a lifetime to you Brown😉😉😉😉
My mom was diagnosed with cancer during Season 1 of This Is Us. This episode was so hard to watch. And later as her cancer became terminal I would go back to this episode. It really helped with my grieving process, as did the other episodes with Rebecca, her illness, and how the kids dealt with it. This Is Us really is a Playbook to Life. Amazing cast, directors, and writers. ❤
I wanted to thank you for the beautiful work you gave us. Through the series I was able to understand my family better. I understood that an experience can be seen from different perspectives. My sister's childhood may have been different than my brother's, and that's okay. I understand that men like Jack have to endure a lot to keep up appearances. I also understood that addiction can take different forms. There is the addiction to eating or drinking but there is also the addiction to perfection. I'm still learning a lot, especially through your current podcast, but I'm really enjoying it. So I just wanted to say thank you. Chimène from Germany😊
This episode was hard to watch the first time but was really difficult (ugly cry) the second. I lost my dad in January to pancreatic cancer and it just hit so different this time. Sterling’s description of his dad’s passing is so beautiful. Until you spend those last moments of someone’s life saying goodbyes and realizing you will never see them again. Aahh. Crying again! ❤
Kudos to Sterling saying "please check on the ppl you think that have it all together". I am one of those ppl and it's very rare for some to ask "how are you?" And mean it.
My goodness… rewatched the series again and Memphis episode just destroys me every time. I’ve never met my biological father, still a stranger to me living in the same city. Yet sometimes I do wish to reach out, even hoping to have a relationship like Randall and William. Their bond became so beautiful so fast, and when we lost William I felt like I lost my own. This is my comfort show and I feel like I can relate in several aspects within each character.
Okay, time to cry! Sending you all so much love. One of my favorite episodes ever!!! Rewatching it was still emotional for me, just like the first time around. And now I’m sure that I’m gonna be a bawling mess while watching this podcast episode. The tissues and wine are needed for this one 😭❤️
I've never rewatched This Is Us because I know I'll cry through the whole thing and end up depressed, but I definitely can't rewatch this episode, despite how stunningly beautiful it was. Just listening to them recap it has me sobbing!
Did anyone else notice that the beautiful crocheted sweater that Beth wore when Randall came back home looks SO similar to the one young William wore? I had to take pictures to see if it was the same one. It's not, but it made me wonder if William gifted one of his to Beth sometime while he lived with them. It makes sense because of all days, she's wearing it while she's consoling her husband. I feel like it's her way to feel close to William.
One more thing, I'm so concerned about the numbers, the viewers, and listeners. If the numbers don't grow, will the podcast be able to continue through season six?
🥹🥲 I always think I'm weird cuz I start happy crying when Randall shouts "I HAVE COUSINS!!" 🥹 He was so happy to find a piece of the world & the diaspora he connected to
