THIS IS US: The First Season: The Best Washing Machine in the Whole World
Cathartic family drama about love, loyalty, and old wounds.
Should You Watch It?
This episode draws its power from family relationships that are loving but strained. Kevin and Randall confront old hurts, while Kate struggles with weight loss and William’s choices create new tension within the family. The episode treats adoption seriously, showing how parents can love their children equally while encouraging their different gifts.
The series remains beautifully cathartic and engaging. Its strong moral vision values family, marriage, and children, but the content rating matters: the episode includes foul language and a scene showing marijuana use for medical purposes.
So, if you are a discerning adult looking for a moving family drama, this episode is WORTH WATCHING — ADULTS ONLY.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESThis episode follows several members of one family as old sibling wounds resurface, difficult personal struggles continue, and a long-hidden connection threatens to change family relationships. At its center are questions of adoption, equal love, loyalty, resentment, and the challenge of encouraging each family member’s distinct gifts.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this episode is exceptionally strong television. “The Best Washing Machine in the Whole World” is deeply cathartic and engaging, with emotionally rich family conflicts that give its themes real weight.
The episode beautifully highlights the challenge parents face when they strive to love their children equally while encouraging every child to use different talents. Its focus on tense relationships and unresolved hurts makes the drama feel personal and compelling.
The Worldview
The episode presents a strong moral worldview centered on the value of family, marriage, and children. It takes seriously the ways adoption can affect family relationships and highlights the challenge of loving children equally while recognizing their different gifts. The story also references Cain and Abel, placing sibling conflict within a larger moral framework.
This family-centered vision aligns with a biblical understanding that love should be loyal, patient, and active. At the same time, the episode includes foul language and marijuana use, which are reasons for adults to exercise discernment about who watches.
The episode’s central longing is for family members to move beyond bitterness and reconnect through love and loyalty. Scripture says, “Love is patient and kind” (1 Corinthians 13:4).
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 an emphasis on the value of family, marriage and children, and the story of Cain and Abel is referenced; <b>
Foul Language
</b>Nine obscenities and seven profanities; <b>
Violence
</b>Mild violence with a shoving, wrestling match between two teenage boys, and<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>a shoving, wrestling match occurs between two grown men; <b>
Sex
</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>No sexual content or immorality, but several couples kiss; <b>
Nudity
</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>A<b> </b>brief television shot with a shirtless man; <b>
Alcohol Use
<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></b>Mild alcohol content with several people shown drinking alcoholic beverages at restaurants; <b>
Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse
<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></b>No tobacco smoking but a woman shares marijuana brownies with a man who uses it for medical purposes; and, <b>
Miscellaneous Immorality
<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></b>Lying, anger, bitterness, jealousy, racism.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>
Talk About It
Four questions for the couch, the commute, or the couple bingeing it together.
What does it look like to love children equally while recognizing that each child has different gifts?
Romans 12:3–8 · 1 Corinthians 12:4–6How can old hurts shape the way family members treat one another? What helps people pursue reconciliation?
Ephesians 4:31–32 · Colossians 3:13Why are loyalty and honesty important in family relationships?
Proverbs 12:22 · Ephesians 4:25The episode references Cain and Abel. What warning does their story give about jealousy and anger toward a sibling?
Genesis 4:6–10 · James 3:14–16The Final Word
This is a deeply engaging and cathartic family drama about love, loyalty, adoption, and old wounds. Its foul language and marijuana use mean it is not for children or young teens. For discerning adults, WORTH WATCHING — ADULTS ONLY. For family-friendly alternatives, see.
