This is Us is the chronicle of the Pearson family, from past to present (and even beyond, it seems). Viewers spend more than enough time reviewing the highs and lows of the family in every section of their lives to feel like they know the characters almost better than they know themselves. The fourth season means this is the fourth year the audience has followed the Pearsons, past and present.
It's no longer hard to guess who will make good decisions and who will make poor ones. As it stands, here in season four, the wisest Pearsons have already come out on top. That doesn't mean they experience less drama, it just means they deserve it less.
Kevin Pearson
Poor Kevin often believes he is the least wise Pearson and, for once, he is right. This self-awareness is not common for Kevin, so fans should appreciate it when it comes. He doesn't have to be the smartest, he's beautiful, and an actor, a successful actor. Not everyone has to be a "nerd," as Kevin calls Randall. But Kevin's place at the bottom of the list doesn't come just because he was never one for hitting the books. The list of Kevin's poor choices stretches from his selfishness as a child, his speedy marriage to Sophie, his infringing on his Uncle's life and not informing his family about it (even when he brings him to Thanksgiving), driving drunk with his niece in the car, and beyond. Man needs to pay a little more attention to the people and the feelings that surround him.
Rebecca Pearson
Rebecca certainly deserves credit for being the glue that holds her family together post the loss of husband and father Jack (that and literally giving birth to triplets). But, well, besides being one and done on her singing attempts in California, and completely misunderstanding her relationship with her daughter, not to mention the incredibly bright idea (not really) of keeping her knowledge about Randall's biological dad, William, a secret, well, her track record could certainly use some improvement.
Miguel
Sweet Miguel, with his prime position at the building firm where Jack Pearson also works, is a good friend. It was daring, though perhaps not terribly bright, to put his career on the line for Jack in a flashback this season, but that's not why he sits so low on this list. Miguel has known Jack and Rebecca for the entirety of their relationship. He saw the Pearson kids grow up. He watched and participated in the drama and yet he was still ready and willing to jump aboard the ever sinking Pearson family ship when the opportunity presented itself. Miguel's marriage to Rebecca makes for dramatic television, but not always smart decision making.
Nicky
Nicky was the smart brother really. He understood enough about what was going on in Vietnam to at least consider fleeing to Canada when he was drafted. Gentle as a child, with glasses and a penchant for comic books he had the potential to move up a few places on this list if not for later decisions.
He did not make the best choices as a soldier in Vietnam, his drug use was not a great look (particularly to his brother), and fishing with grenades (even if it doesn't result in a child's death) is not a smart choice. By finding a way back into his brother's life while Jack was still alive his Vietnam failures wouldn't have left him in the bottom half here, but alas, no luck.
Kate Pearson
Kate is lovable. The way she is able to anticipate the needs of others is irable, kind, and its own kind of intellect. However, Kate's inability to acknowledge or consider her own needs, rather than the needs of others, keeps her from jumping farther up our list. She skipped out on college and, despite an incredible catalog of musical knowledge, took almost a lifetime to even attempt to use that knowledge, or return to the classroom. She was helpful as Kevin's pseudo assistant when the show began, but Kate is still working on being the smartest version of herself.
Toby
It takes some innate intellect to be funny, and Toby is certainly the king of comedy, particularly in seasons one and two. Toby also grabs bonus points for being able to see the best in others (that's how he's able to land Kate as both girlfriend and later wife) without losing sight of who he is and the struggles he still needs to overcome. Season four finds Toby working out regularly not only to improve his weight, but also as a way to better handle his depression. His self-awareness and people skills make him smarter than many of the family that now surrounds him.
William
Randall's biological father, William, was and remains a fan-favorite character. He deserves it. His melodic voice, his kind advice, his adorable relationship with Randall's wife, Beth, are all amazing on television. But this list is not about which character is the most likable. William's abandonment of Randall at a fire station (though we all appreciate him leaving the baby in safety) doesn't exactly highlight him as someone who does a lot of planning in advance. His knowledge of music and poetry though, that connects him to Randall's intense curiosity and highlights some connection between father and son despite a lifetime apart.
Beth Pearson
Carnegie Mellon University graduate, successful urban planner for over a decade, mother of three, and Randall's "Rock" it should be no surprise that Beth Pearson lands in our top three. She is both book smart and street smart. She can juggle her family's needs without forgetting her own (some of the time).
That she is able to open her own dance studio while moving the family to a new city should be enough in and of itself to crown her as one of the wisest Pearsons. She is not without her flaws but the point is she tries to recognize them, and she always puts them out in the open.
Jack Pearson
The papa, the patriarch, Jack Pearson is our number two. He may not have been the book-obsessed university going type like his son, Randall, but his people skills count as their own kind of intellect, and when it comes to people skills, Jack has them in spades. From knowing when to get his brother Nicky out of the house, to how to manage a company in Vietnam, all the way to sweeping Rebecca off her feet, and being the gumball machine of excellent fatherly advice whenever one of his "Big Three" ask for it or not, Jack sits squarely as our silver medalist.
Randall Pearson
Randall Pearson and his panic attacks highlight the importance he put on study and work even as a child. A Carnegie Mellon University graduate like his wife, Beth, a lover of Langston Hughes, a family handyman to his mother, Rebecca, and super-sleuth who located his biological father, Randall has many reasons to sit in our number one slot. He is not without his faults, but who isn't on This is Us? It's a drama, after all. If all the characters didn't have flaws the show would never have been as successful as it is.