Warning: this post contains spoilers about Sunday’s episode of This is Us
Well, it’s over. For those of us who sat through an okay football game, a mediocre half time show and some pretty good commercials (with the exception of those stupid “Dilly Dilly” spots) to see the post-game episode of This is Us, we finally learned exactly how Jack died. And, as Mandy Moore warned us last week, it was a “soul crusher.” Of course, in a show with so many twists and turns, you know there’s got to be a swerve right? We learn in the episode that Jack survives the house fire, only to suffer cardiac arrest in the hospital due to excessive smoke inhalation. He might have lived, but he went back to save Kate’s dog and some family mementos. What a Dad.
Mandy discussed the episode on Monday morning’s TODAY Show. Of finally revealing the answer to the question we’ve all been wondering about for a season and a half, she said, “I think all of us are tremendously relieved.” She and Milo Ventimiglia knew of Jack’s fate since the beginning, but, as she said, “not all of the specifics around how he passes away”. She admitted “it’s nice to pop that bubble a little bit and now we can move forward with the show and answer more pressing questions as well.”
The actress went on to say that she and the cast watched the episode together at show creator Dan Fogelman’s house last week. After the screening, she recalled, “None of us could speak afterwards, we were sort of speechless. We were recounting some of our favorite parts of the episode and favorite lines, and we would all start crying. It affects us too.”
Milo talked about the viewing party as well, telling Entertainment Weekly, “It was heavy. But there was no one that wasn’t crying.” Even though it was “heavy,” Milo noted that the cause of his character’s death is “a question that I’m happy not to field anymore,” adding, “I am happy to have that in the rear-view. But it’s not the end of Jack. There is still so much to know about this guy.” Of the episode, he gave kudos to Fogelman, gushing:
He is never one to give us an obvious answer, but he’s also never one to make it so complicated that we can’t understand it or process it or accept it. His creation of these moments is so beautiful — they’re perfect. They really are perfect. It’s hard to say someone had a perfect death, but it really felt like a moment that was real, that you don’t see, that doesn’t carry this, “Yeah, okay, but…” I mean, his wife was eating a candy bar when she heard. [Laughs.] Who does that as a writer? Dan Fogelman does — and it’s heartbreaking and beautiful and it’s unique.
When asked by Esquire if he got emotional about his character’s death, he said, “I get emotional over Rebecca and the kids. Crying for Jack would seem a bit ridiculous, because I exist as him and I wouldn’t cry for myself. But understanding the impact that Jack had on his family—that’s where I personally get the most emotional.”
While the cast got emotional about the episode, they couldn’t hold a candle to the show’s fans, who blew up twitter after the episode aired.
Stop it! 😂😂 #thisisus pic.twitter.com/8bE31etEEm
— Mira Patel (@lovemirizzle) February 5, 2018
I don't know what's worse: my Super Bowl hangover or how I feel after the emotional rollercoaster I just rode watching #thisisus
— Lily Marston (@lily_marston) February 5, 2018
I woke up and Jack is still dead so I’m canceling today. You’re welcome everyone. #ThisIsUs
— Rach 🌙 (@rachwiggs) February 5, 2018
Based upon the tweets, I assume #thisisus is a TV show for people who enjoy ugly-crying into their evening potato chips.
— Cheri Baker (@cheribaker) February 5, 2018
The episode was a ratings smash. Early Nielsen ratings indicate that it was the most-watched post-Super Bowl telecast in six years. The game itself was the lowest-rated in eight years. How did the Puppy Bowl do?
And if you think you can now put away the tissues, think again. Mandy told TODAY that tonight’s episode is going to be intense, asserting, “I dare say, it’s even more heartbreaking.” I don’t know if I can take it. I do know that Randall singing and dancing to the “Super Bowl Shuffle” in his “Caution: Hot Dad” apron made me so happy. Can he do that in every episode? Also, RIP, Mr. McGiggles. Gone too soon.
I told you we didn't have much recovery time! We're back with a new episode tomorrow. #ThisIsUs pic.twitter.com/F5NftLyzVt
— Sterling K Brown (@SterlingKBrown) February 5, 2018
Photos: WENN.com, Getty Images
I still don’t know what this show is about. All i know is people cry a lot when they watch it, which makes me interested to check out the hype but i’ve read every single spoiler post here, i’m not sure if i should even get on the bandwagon anymore!
I watched it…I think I was more touched by old Randall in his grandpa sweater. A few of us discussed the episode and they were overwhelmed, I was confused by their reaction. I lost my parents years ago..mourned them. But the anniversary of their death doesn’t cause me to do anything in particular..I may pause when I remember..but I don’t throw superbowl parties or go sit by a tree. I loved my parents deeply. They were flawed, they had issues with my sexuality but they were also amazing. I was surprised by the characters’ lack of emotional growth, their inability to let go..I recognize we all mourn differently but 20 years later..my mother would have came back to bannock slap me and say..enough.
I think it’s because of their age when they lost him and that it was so unexpected for all of them. Rebecca and Jack were still a relatively young and healthy couple. The kids were all in high school. Then, in a flash, the center of their family was gone.
I lost both of my parents within months of each other (2001 and 2002). My mother was my best friend and I was able to hold her hand and tell her I love her while she passed. I was 15 minutes late to the hospital and was not able to be there for my father when he passed and it’s haunted me ever since. I don’t think I will ever get over it.
I think it really varies for each individuals, the cause of death can also be in play; it can be harder to cope when it happens suddenly than if the person had been sick for a long time.
My dad died when I was 7 and my brother was 10; we reacted very differently at the time, but we’ve moved on. The way my mum reacted through all of it certainly helped us cope with the whole situation. I’ve never tried to do anything to commemorate it because, well, I can’t remember the exact date of his death anyway (it’s bad, I know).
But it’s been really hard for my grandma: she lost her only child and we had moved to another continent when it happened, the past 25 years of her life has solely revolved around my father’s death. She’s starting to have memory loss and on Sunday, she forgot that dad was dead; I got a panicked phone call from my grandad and spent a good chunk of the morning trying to calm her and remind her that she knew about it, that grandad hadn’t hid that from her (she was understandably upset at him at first) or anything. So yeah, everyone is different. And however cheesy This Is Us can be, I have to admit I choked up a little Sunday night watching it, mostly because of how the day had started.
It’s honestly not that good. It’s trite and sappy and some decent acting can’t make up for bad writing. It doesn’t make me cry because I don’t believe any of the characters.
There. I said it.
Amen to that.
Thank you for this! I’ve watched every episode because I’ve been interested to see where it’s going, but I haven’t cried once. The pop culture response to the show has left me feeling like maybe there’s something wrong with me for not falling apart. If you need a good cry, Parenthood is where it’s at.
A show people watch because they enjoy ugly crying. So true.
And now, I am interesting to know how and when Rebecca and Miguel happened. Didn’t he loose his (ex?)-wife and kids in a car accident ?
They showed it earlier this season. They reconnected on Facebook-he found her and private messaged her and they started chatting. It was years after Jack died.
Oh I missed that! Thanks
It was 8 years after Jack had died and she tried Facebook for the first time. He found her on Facebook and they started chatting.
.
I was a little worried about all the hype and build-up, but I thought it was beautifully done. Just raw & real. I didn’t cry as much as I thought I would, but that was probably because I was ready for it. I loved the twist at the end. I had a feeling he wasn’t going to Beth & Randall, but I wasn’t expecting that! And I’m so glad Deja is back, although I’m afraid to find out why.
After Randall’s speech about them going to dinner once a week after work, I was shocked that I didn’t pick up on it. Every little detail in this show means something. I kicked myself a little. But I definitely choked up that she ended up in social work. Randall is far and away my favorite part of the show, so him the the Mr. Roger’s sweater broke me.
I feel like I’m the single person in the entire world who hates this show. I kept waiting for it to get better, but…nope.
@Maya,
Nope. It’s not just you. It may be just the two of us though. Lol.
Three, I couldn’t make it to the end of first episode. Dreadful.
Sorry guys, just my opinion.
Fourthed. It’s sentimental garbage.
Fifth. Melodramatic piffle.
Note to self: Use phrase “melodramatic piffle” ASAP.
You’re not alone. I get why a lot of people enjoy the show but I felt way manipulated the few times I’ve watched it. When I can FEEL myself being manipulated it just wrecks my enjoyment.
Not alone at all.
Also I think Sterling was great on the OJ show but here he’s annoying.
This show kills me. I figured he would die from smoke inhalation just because I used TJ volunteer at a fire station and it’s something I learned there. The way they did it though was ROUGH.
Also that flash forward had me crying again because full circle
For once they did a good job on aging makeup…Randall looked believable.
Gosh older Mandy is the least believable part of the entire show I agree. I loathe miguel so I don’t pay attention to him
Oh, Miguel’s older makeup job is laughably bad!
As has been said here before, MM suffers in comparison to all the other good actors. I wish someone else played that character.
I definitely thought that season 1, but have been impressed by her performance in season 2.
Granted I am sensitive but I have never cried so much watching a tv show EVER! Jack’s death was so heartbreaking…..even though we knew what was coming. Such an amazing epsiode! I think I cried from beginning to end. I am not ready to watch tonight’s episode
One of my favorite scenes was the one with adult Tess and old Randall that was so heartwarming
That scene at the end had me crying more than Jack’s death, for some reason. Element of surprise, maybe?
It was a good moment. You could see how proud he was of his daughter…the same way Jack looked at Kate.
Me too on the scene with older Randall! It was more of a cry spasm, albeit happy tears. It was a nice balance to the rest of the show.
I definitely enjoy the show, but Sunday night’s episode was way overhyped. I mean, it’s been obvious for weeks now what happened to Jack. I was a little surprised because I didn’t realize someone could seem okay and *then* still die from smoke inhalation. But otherwise, it’s what I expected – except the end (which I loved!). The part where she found out and the part where she told the kids had me sniffling a bit. Sometimes I find the show too melodramatic, like a soap opera with better story lines, better acting and a bigger budget. But what the hell? I need my escape once in awhile, I’m not ashamed to ugly cry now and then and get into the spirit lol
I think more emotions will come out tonight as we see the teen children deal with the death of Jack and the funeral…that’s when it’s going to get really deep. We didn’t see much of their reactions during the Super Bowl episode…it will come and will probably be the saddest episode yet.
I think you’re right, the aftermath is going to be harder. Tissues and ugly-cry face ready lol
I stopped watching This Is Us after the first season. And I know most on this site aren’t big sports ball fans, but I had to react to the “okay game” assessment. OK? OK?! That game was incredible. My nails are bloodied from me biting them the entire time!
I really wish it was the mother who had passed and not him. Milo is amazing, while Mandy or her character don’t do much for me.
Milo will still be in the show.
Someone (here maybe?) recently called this show “emotional p*rn” and I can’t help but think of this every time I watch. The last 2 episodes really fit this description. And the teaser for when the shows airs again at the end of Feb. show Jack’s time in the war? I don’t think I can do this anymore. I’m already sensitive as a mofo and don’t need help crying over life (good or bad).