This Is Us Don't Let Me Keep You Cast

Okay, Let's Talk 'This Is Us' & That "Don't Let Me Keep You" Vibe

Let's be honest. We all cried during This Is Us. Like, a lot. But, let's also admit something else: some characters just weren't our cup of tea.

I'm not saying they're bad people, or bad actors. Just… maybe they could have caught an earlier train? You know?

First Up: The Case of Nicky Pearson

Okay, okay, hear me out! I know, Nicky (played brilliantly by Michael Angarano and later Griffin Dunne) is a tragic figure. War, trauma, a lifetime of regret… I get it.

But sometimes, his storylines felt a little... tacked on? Like, "Oh, hey, remember Nicky? Let's give him a random plot twist!"

Don't get me wrong, Griffin Dunne is great. But did we really need so much Nicky screen time? Maybe a little less angst, a little more Pearson family fun?

The Curious Incident of Toby Damon

Toby (Chris Sullivan) started out as the lovable, funny, and supportive husband. We adored him! Remember all the witty remarks?

Then… things changed. He became less supportive, more career-focused, and generally… less fun. The weight loss thing? Definitely created a different vibe.

I get it: people evolve. Relationships change. But did Toby have to become that guy? The one who makes you wonder if Kate should have swiped left?

Let's Not Forget Madison Simons

Look, I have nothing against Madison (Caitlin Thompson). She seems like a genuinely nice person. And she gave Kevin twins!

But their relationship always felt a little… forced? Like the writers needed Kevin to settle down and were like, "Here's a convenient plot device!"

I'm happy she found happiness with Elijah. Honestly, she deserved better than a lukewarm Kevin. But, maybe we could have skipped a few Madison-centric episodes?

A Word on the Peripheral Players

I am talking about characters like Gregory, the grumpy neighbor, or even some of the therapists. They had their moments, sure.

But sometimes, their storylines felt like filler. Like the writers had a word count to meet and were running out of Pearson drama.

Did we really need a deep dive into Gregory's garden? Or another therapy session where someone revealed a vaguely relevant life lesson?

The Unpopular Opinion: Less is Sometimes More

This Is Us was a beautiful, emotional rollercoaster. But sometimes, it felt like it was trying to pack too much into each episode.

Maybe, just maybe, focusing more on the core Pearson family and streamlining some of the side characters' storylines would have made for an even tighter, more impactful show.

So, there you have it. My potentially controversial This Is Us opinions. Don't hate me! Let's just say some characters could have taken a shorter route to their destination.