A Million Little Things “Pilot” Review

Synopsis

“They say friendship isn’t one big thing, it’s a million little things; and that’s true for a group of friends from Boston who bonded under unexpected circumstances. Some have achieved success, others are struggling in their careers and relationships, but all of them feel stuck in life. After one of them dies unexpectedly, it’s just the wake-up call the others need to finally start living. Along the way they discover that friends may be the one thing to save them from themselves.” – abc.com

Warning

Before diving into this pilot review, it should be noted that A Million Little Things deals with some heavy issues that may be triggering for some people. I feel like since it’s been all over the previews, it’s safe to name those issues here: suicide, suicidal thoughts, depression, cancer, and alcoholism.

If you or someone you know is facing challenges, please know that there is help. You are not alone in your battle. Seek support through the following sources:

Call: 800-273-8255

Text: 741741

Help yourself

Help a friend/loved one

Review

Full disclosure: when I first saw the previews for A Million Little Things, I thought ABC was just trying to sort of rip off NBC’s This Is Us. Not in concerns to the plot or anything, but more emotionally. Both shows deal with heavy topics and will pull at the strings of viewers’ emotions. I thought maybe they’re trying to get those record-breaking ratings that This Is Us continues to get. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying this is necessarily a bad thing, but it’s initially what turned me off from wanting to watch A Million Little Things. I can only handle so many raw emotions a week, ya know?Putting my bias for This Is Us aside, I decided to give A Million Little Things a chance. Now, I can’t say that I’ve instantly fallen in love with it. Nor can I really say that I’ll watch it again – I’m still debating that. However, I do think it’s a good show. There are a few specific reasons that might just keep me watching.

1. Hot topics. A Million Little Things hits on tough topics, but I feel like they need to be discussed. As hard as it may be to watch, it’s relatable to so many people. The topics may be somewhat taboo or stigmatized, but they shouldn’t be. The show raises awareness for checking in on your friends, talking about your feelings, etc. Mental illness and depression are not things to be ashamed of. They’re things to be talked about before it’s too late.
2. The friendship. A Million Little Things primarily revolves around a group of guys who have been best friends for 10 years after getting stuck in an elevator together. You can see their bond over the Bruins, feel the comradery, and relate to their friendship. However, that friendship isn’t entirely perfect. They seem close, but it’s quickly revealed that even though they’ve known each other for 10 years, they don’t truly know each other because they never talk about anything serious or important. Raise your hand if you can relate to this in some of your own friendships. I know I can.
3. The comedic moments. One thing that I was happy to see on such a heavy topic show was the comedy bits. They didn’t come off as outrageous or out of place. They fit. Most of these moments came from James Roday’s character, Gary Mendez. I tend to be a sucker for the comedic relief, so he quickly became my favorite of the group. That’s not to say he doesn’t have his own demons to battle, though.
4. The big reveals. So many revelations and cliffhangers. That’s all I’ll say on that.

Overall, I’d give the A Million Little Things “Pilot” episode a “B”. I think it has a lot of heart and potential. Will it be a big-hitter like This Is Us? Eh… Honestly, I don’t think so. People might be afraid of it because of the topics, but I hope it doesn’t completely scare viewers off. A Million Little Things shows us the importance of communication with our friends and loved ones, especially when it comes our rough patches and the demons we battle on a daily basis. It shows the imprint we leave behind, the affect we have on people’s lives. The message is that you’re not alone in your battles.

So, if you can handle the subject matters, I say give it a go.

A Million Little Things airs Wednesdays at 10/9c.