This Is Us: Scene Analysis

In this course, there have been many different popular culture references to the material. A particular reference which comes to mind in regards to the topic of drug abuse and addiction, would be the scene from NBC TV show, “This Is Us,” in which the character, William boards the bus with his girlfriend, Laurel (This Is Us 2017). The scene speeds through each time they board the bus and how the effects of drug changes them (This Is Us 2017). In the beginning of this scene, William is seen to enter the bus well and healthy, with his poetry book. It then transitions to them finally introducing themselves, but as this scene progresses it shows how both their health is deteriorating to the point where William can no longer write, which was a pivotal characteristic of his (This Is Us 2017). The use of
This can be connected to the class material about drug abuse, given the time period of this scene being in the late 1970s, which is around the time cocaine began to spread (Tatham 2018). From a wider background knowledge of this character, it is through differential association that William learns the use of drugs (Tatham 2018). He is influenced by Laurel, which can be seen in the clip, to get into drugs (This Is Us 2017). By seeing as how she and her peers find drug abuse acceptable, it is learnt through this action that he too can do it without feeling the consequences (This Is Us 2017). This can also be seen as a social bond as well, as William and Laurel share an intimate relationship, and thus through such a strong bond is it easier for William to feel the need to