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 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.
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.
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.
Jermel Nakia is PHENOMENAL! His portrayal of younger William and the community service he is doing in Detroit😢😢😢❤❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉 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 LOVE! Truly gifts to this world. ❤
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 👏👏👏
Memphis is such a beautiful episode of This Is Us and this was such a wonderful episode of That Was Us. So many tears shed during both. Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing!
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.
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 💜
💖 Oh I love that this podcast is also filmed and produced in such high quality for RUclips. 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 💖
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.
Thank you to Mandy, Chris and Sterling for doing this podcast! I look forward to each Tuesday's discussion with all of you, like I looked forward to watching This Is Us. I wish the show never had to end, as It was the best show ever made in my opinion. Such an incredible ensemble of writers, actors and musicians that made this show so powerfully dynamic!
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.
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. ❤
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!
"Memphis" ❤💔❤ This is the first episode that made me cry. A few others made me emotional later but "Memphis" definitely had the most impact by far. It's just perfect.
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.
Randell Beth & William were my favourite characters, and I lost my dad during Covid. I didn’t get to say goodbye or attend his funeral, and to hear Sterling had lost his dad and didn’t get to say farewell either, just killed me! That episode helped me so much, to process my grief, and May the one and only Ron rest in eternal peace. 💕🌹💕
Wow! I cried when I watched the original, the rewatch, but today my makeup is a total mess! OMG! Jermel is just as compassionate and kind as he portrayed on the show. I am a fan for life! I appreciate you all.
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.
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 😭❤️
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. ❤
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
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.
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!! ❤
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😉😉😉😉
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! ❤
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😊
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 a part of me. This is my comfort show and I feel like I can relate in several aspects within each character.
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
The line, "I'm a little scared" gets me EVERY TIME!!!
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.
But it doesn’t even have the effect if you’ve not watched up until now. Seems like a horrible way to recommend someone watches haha
Ah man, Sterling making the parallels between Williams death and his own fathers got to me 😭😭
Me too and it made me sob because I feel the same way about the loss of my mother. Therapeutic in a way.
Same!!!!!
Same here
You’re a beautiful person, Sterling, thank you for the good cry
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.
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.
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.
Jermel Nakia is PHENOMENAL! His portrayal of younger William and the community service he is doing in Detroit😢😢😢❤❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉 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 LOVE! Truly gifts to this world. ❤
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 👏👏👏
Memphis is really a beautiful episode! It is actually one of my favorites of the series.
One of the best father son moments between Randall and william
Memphis is such a beautiful episode of This Is Us and this was such a wonderful episode of That Was Us. So many tears shed during both. Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing!
OK. So how is it possible that I cried like a baby watching the episode…. And then CRIED AGAIN watching this. dang it!
He was so wonderful and has one of those memorable voices I will never forget
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.
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 💜
💖 Oh I love that this podcast is also filmed and produced in such high quality for RUclips. 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 💖
Favorite episode...only Memphis and Birth Mother made me cry😢❤
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.
Mannnnn The Way I Sobbed At Hard When William Died🥺❤️….It Was So Moving,You Know😭
Thank you to Mandy, Chris and Sterling for doing this podcast!
I look forward to each Tuesday's discussion with all of you, like I looked forward to watching This Is Us. I wish the show never had to end, as It was the best show ever made in my opinion. Such an incredible ensemble of writers, actors and musicians that made this show so powerfully dynamic!
THIS is the episode I’ve been waiting for!! I snot bubble cried on the Memphis episode 🥺
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.
This is my absolute favorite episode. I haven't seen one better.
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. ❤
Their discussion about how they handle anxiety was so real & raw. Thank you. ❤
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!
"Memphis" ❤💔❤ This is the first episode that made me cry. A few others made me emotional later but "Memphis" definitely had the most impact by far. It's just perfect.
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.
This was the episode that got me. Beyond Excellent Storytelling and Acting 👏
We can always come back to this” keeps playing in my mind throughout watching this episode and podcast ❤❤❤❤
I have seen this episode twice. And it’s hard. So beautiful. Awe 😢 he’s still in the painting. Dan. I’m humbled. As usual, sir.
Randell Beth & William were my favourite characters, and I lost my dad during Covid. I didn’t get to say goodbye or attend his funeral, and to hear Sterling had lost his dad and didn’t get to say farewell either, just killed me! That episode helped me so much, to process my grief, and May the one and only Ron rest in eternal peace. 💕🌹💕
Wow! I cried when I watched the original, the rewatch, but today my makeup is a total mess! OMG! Jermel is just as compassionate and kind as he portrayed on the show. I am a fan for life! I appreciate you all.
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.
Bracing myself for this episode 🥹😭
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 feel it's "time to cry" every week but this one in particular is more like "time to wail" ❤
Yeah have the tissues on standby. You will need them lol
Rest well Ron Cephas Jones❤ Thank you🙏🏽🕊
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. ❤
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
The hospital scene has stayed with me and will forever.
Thank you for sharing your experiences @Sterling
Such a moving episode ❤ I bawled like a baby 😭😭😭 Such a beautiful moment when Randall puts his hands on William's face ❤
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.
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 :')
Sobbing. What a damn show
MEMPHIS is my favorite. It's a sad but great episode
My mom and I loved This is Us so much!! ❤️
Every Tuesday I watch the episode then watch the podcast while I am working. Big mistake! Such a fabulous episode.
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!! ❤
I CRIED MORE HERE THAN WATCHING THE EPISODE.
What a beautiful episode today!!
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😉😉😉😉
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! ❤
I haven’t even started the episode yet but just seeing Memphis I’m like agh!!! I rewatched to prepare and it’s still my favorite episode of TIU!!!!!
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 is the first episode of the show where i had to pause to sob. art!
Feb 4, 1987 SKB’s Dad
Dec 20, 1987 my Dad. Wow!
Sitting here with three friends on the couch crying. Thank you Ron Cephas Jones for being the heart of this episode.
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 a part of me. This is my comfort show and I feel like I can relate in several aspects within each character.
This was a beautiful episode 🤍🕊
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!
Great episode. Just watched this whole thing and you're gonna need tissues😭
💛💛💛
This was the first episode that made me really emotional. It was incredibly well done. 🥹
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.
Somehow, I didn't think about the parallels with William leaving his mom & then leaving Randall (until they mentioned it on the podcast). 💔
If you start a drinking game everytime Mandy saids “sure” you’d be drunk in no time.
Or "same"
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?
Perhaps it has a stronger presence on spotify? The IG page has a ton of followers
I need a salt tablet after watching this...
Sterling cries as much as Randall?
🥹🥲 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