THIS IS US: Season Two: Number One
Family: The Gift that Grows Us
Should You Watch It?
This is a powerful, character-focused episode that gives Kevin unusual emotional depth. His substance abuse, failures, and misery are presented as sinful behavior, not as a model to follow. The episode also points toward family, love, repentance, and the possibility of help.
But the material is heavy. Kevin gets drunk, abuses prescription pain medication, has implied fornication, and uses foul language. The episode also includes a Buddhist reference through a meaningful pendant. Those elements make this unsuitable for children and young teens, even though the episode has strong redemptive qualities.
Adults who can engage those concerns thoughtfully may find this episode worthwhile. For family viewing with younger viewers, choose something else.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESKevin’s substance abuse continues to spiral as he returns to his old high school for an alumni ceremony. Surrounded by people who still idolize him, he confronts memories of his injury, his family, and his failures as an adult. As Kevin searches for help, the episode brings him face to face with painful family news.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this episode succeeds strongly as character drama. “Number One” delves deeply into Kevin’s emotions and personality, unveiling him in a way that enables viewers to connect with him in a new light.
The episode’s strength is its concentrated attention to Kevin’s inner life. His substance abuse and sinful behavior are difficult to watch, but they give the character emotional weight and make his need for help clear. The family-centered material adds further emotional force.
The Worldview
The episode presents a strong moral worldview with some redemptive elements. It promotes the value of family and includes references to love and repentance. A man gets on his knees and prays the Serenity Prayer, giving the story a visible moment of humility and dependence.
The episode also includes a pagan pendant from a man’s father bearing the Buddhist symbol of “purpose.” That reference introduces a spiritual idea that does not align with a biblical understanding of God and purpose. Even so, the episode’s emphasis on family, repentance, and seeking help reflects truths that Scripture affirms.
The episode’s longing for restoration points toward the biblical call to forgive one another: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
<b>
Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements
<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></b>Strong moral worldview with some redemptive elements promotes the value of the family, has references to love and repentance, and includes a man gets on his knees and prays the Serenity Prayer, but a pagan pendant from man’s father has the Buddhist symbol of “purpose” on it; <b>
Foul Language
</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Four obscenities and eight light profanities;<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> <b>
Violence
<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></b>No violence; <b>
Sex
</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Implied fornication, man mentions he cheated on his wife, and a man makes a sexual reference to women’s anatomy, plus a married couple kiss; <b>
Nudity
</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Upper male nudity and a woman is implied to be shirtless under a sheet; <b>
Alcohol Use
</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Man gets drunk at a party, people drink wine at the party, and man drinks alcohol many times in episode, but Alcoholics Anonymous and the 12 Steps of AA are referenced; <b>
Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse
<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></b>No smoking, light drug content with a man shown abusing prescription pain medication, and Vicodin is mentioned; and, <b>
Miscellaneous Immorality
<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></b>Some anger, lying, disrespect, stealing.
Talk About It
Four questions for the couch, the commute, or the couple bingeing it together.
Kevin’s substance abuse continues even as he recognizes his failures. What does repentance look like when someone needs both honesty and help?
2 Corinthians 7:10 · James 5:16The episode presents family as a source of help during painful circumstances. How can your family respond with truth and compassion when someone is struggling?
Galatians 6:1–2 · Ephesians 4:15A man prays the Serenity Prayer after facing his brokenness. What is the difference between accepting what you cannot change and refusing responsibility for what you can?
Philippians 4:6–7 · Proverbs 28:13The story includes love, repentance, and a Buddhist idea of “purpose.” Where should Christians look for the meaning and purpose of their lives?
Ephesians 2:10 · Colossians 1:16The Final Word
This is a deeply affecting character episode with a strong moral and redemptive center. Its substance abuse, sexual content, foul language, and Buddhist reference make it unsuitable for children and young teens. For discerning adults, it is WORTH WATCHING — ADULTS ONLY. For other family options, see.
