NBC's This Is Us offers so much for fans to like. If it's a good happy-cry one is looking for, this show is the place to go. It's difficult to try and sort out exactly what it is about the show that makes it so successful in pretty much turning viewers' hearts to a pulp every single time. The answer it seems, as it is most of the time, is some combination of smart writing and effective acting.
The character complexities of This is Us make viewers always want to come back for more; if one thinks they have figured out a character, there is almost always another layer to be discovered. Kevin is one of the characters whose layers are ever-revealed, easily switching viewers from love to hate, but never allowing them to quote land on a final prerogative.
Kevin's first big break-out moment of putting somebody else before himself comes, of all times, on the opening night of his first theatrical performance. He can tall something is off with Randall (Sterling K. Brown) when he speaks to him on the phone, and in a moment of reflecting upon what his father would do, as Miguel suggested, Kevin abandons his important night to run to his brothers' aid.
As much as fans want to like Kevin, he has a lot to make up for. The more fans learn of his past role in his family, the harder it is to sympathize. Kevin had his fair share of difficulties, like any person growing up does, but compared to Randall his concerns were quite slim. Yet, he managed to always resent Randall and treat him with contempt when Randall needed love.
Kevin truly adores Kate and cares for her in a deep way. The two are always there for one another, and they know they can always count on each other even if they live far apart.
Kevin initially blinds himself to the fact that he is exploiting Kate's love for him and causing her to ignore her own life, but as soon as he realizes he insists she focus on herself--showing that his true priorities are in Kate's interest.
Kevin's greatest weakness is his habit of constantly comparing himself to other people. If someone doesn't tell him that he's doing a good job, he doesn't know how to feel that he has. Kevin takes out his insecurities on Randall, as a child, and as an adult. Everyone has challenges, but at some point, it's inexcusable to take them out on other people as Kevin does.
Kevin is so enjoyable to watch because he is lead by a childish enthusiasm for life that is intoxicating to viewers. The very qualities that make him so adorable are also the ones that make him a bit of a mess, but the complete obliviousness of his behavior--whilst somewhat annoying--makes him all the more charming.
Kevin's insecurities in himself cause him to hyper-focus on his own concerns. While this is sad, as it makes his life more difficult and ultimately more lonely, it's also frustrating for everyone else involved. Kevin has little thought for what is going on in other people's lives when he is wrapped up in himself, which is most of the time.
The average person can't relate to being a celebrity experiencing a crisis over integrity--or not exactly, anyway. But most people have struggled with how they want to spend their time in life, and what is the most dignified and important thing they can put their energy into.
When Kevin blows up over the poor quality of the Manny, viewers can feel the frustration of wanting more from life.
The most difficult thing to stomach about Kevin is his ignorance. Kevin lives life with a chip on his shoulder, and this particular chip is related to the fact that he feels his life was overshadowed by having a Black adopted brother. When Kevin sees that the new Manny is Black and laments that he was "replaced by another Black man", the true depth of his warped understanding of privilege is revealed.
Quitting his job and moving to New York was a big step for Kevin. Sure, he is a rich White man and has all of the privileges that go along with it, so his life was never really that much at risk in any extreme way. But one can still recognize the fear he had to face in walking into an unfamiliar situation and making himself vulnerable.
Kevin loves to play the victim, and it does not suit him. Watching the flashbacks of Kevin as a child is no easy thing to do because he always seems to find a way to push situations to be more dramatic than they have to be. His sister has extreme weight problems and his brother feels alienated by being the only black person in a majorly White area, and yet Kevin uses his lack of issues as a way of forming his own issue.
