When Art imitates Life, we get to see beyond our denial, so we can learn, heal and grow.
As I binge-watch "This Is Us" on Hulu (to the extent I fall asleep at night and have to search earlier episodes I missed to get back on track with the storyline) I am struck by the vast level of dysfunction among all the Pearson children. Still, the emotionally intricate and honest nature of this TV series pulls no punches, and we are confronted with what is considered "normal" within family dynamics all over the globe.
Ironically, the Pearson parents seem really well-adjusted, loving and nurturing, yet when we look more closely at their family of origin and the not-so-healthy or even abusive parenting THEY received, we can't help but presume there's gonna be trouble up ahead for their own kids~ even if compensation comes neatly packaged in over-corrective behaviors.
I think what this tells us is, if you haven't done the inner work to dismantle the childhood emotional injuries foisted on YOU, you're gonna screw up with your own offspring~ regardless of HOW much you try to do a better job than your parents did with you!
There are hints of these characters' deficits during childhood, but in the same way symptoms of a virus like chicken pox are far more acute in adulthood than they are if you get 'em while young, various personality issues in adulthood for the Pearson Three are exacerbated and magnified as they mature.
These siblings (Kate, Randall and Kevin) are all good and caring people, who'd give you the shirt off their backs~ but there are parts inside that are broken, and nobody has even considered looking into getting help to HEAL these issues prior to their 40's, because various addictions and compensatory strategies have been used to help them "cope."
I don't care WHO you are. If you don't deal with your Feelings, your Feelings will eventually, inevitably deal with You! If you don't believe me, read my article, THE PANIC MONSTER DOESN'T LIVE HERE, ANYMORE! It's a deep dive into how anxiety disorder is spawned in childhood,THE PANIC MONSTER DOESN'T LIVE HERE, ANYMORE! and what's needed to dismantle and heal it, once and for all.