Lets Talk This Is Us...Because I Don't Care About The Super Bowl

Alright, I like sports but this Superbowl wasn't something I really cared about. I wanted the Eagles to win because well, the Patriots have had their time. Let the Eagles fans have their moment! I will say it was an exciting game and I am happy for Eagles fans. Let the Tom Brady bashing commence.

If you are like me you were more excited for the new episode of This is Us than anything else. I'll admit that i didn't watch it the night of because well...I wasn't caught up yet. I only started watching the show about a week ago and I caught up on Monday after the Super Bowl. P.S...I haven't been this attached to a show since Walking Dead.

Here Come The Tears

If you are planning on watching the show and have not yet: STOP HERE!

This was the episode we have all been waiting for. My eyes welled up the moment Jack opened that bedroom door. I don't think there has been a single episode that I haven't cried. I text Clayton every night and tell him I'm bawling my eyes out because of this show. As I braced myself for the inevitable, I bit off every nail I had and whined the words "Oh my god" and "No" through tears.

When Jack went back into that house to save their dog and family albums, I thought for sure he wasn't coming back. This must be it...but of course he comes waltzing out with the dog and photos in hand. I was relieved but a sinking feeling set it shortly after...his death was still coming and we were not in the clear.

Once at the hospital I knew we were about to say our goodbyes. Jack ultimately dies of cardiac arrest due to severe smoke inhalation. We watch as the family crumbles and in the present we see how Kate, Randall, and Kevin all deal with the anniversary of their fathers death. It was a heartbreaking episode to endure, but for me, it was a satisfying ending to a mystery all fans wanted solved.

Justice For Jack

Fans have gone back and forth on their theories for Jack's death. I will say I think this was exactly how it should've been. They didn't drag this out and make us watch him slowly die in hospital bed. They didn't bait and switch us in some crazy direction. I think the writers created a beautiful arch for his character and I'm looking forward to seeing how they continue to intertwine him in future seasons.

I have this feeling that Jack knew something was wrong at the hospital. In true Pearson fashion he continues to watch the game and tease his wife, never letting on that he's weak in this moment. Strong until the very end. And this is where Rebecca comes in. She takes the role of mom and dad just like that; absorbing Jacks strength in order to get through this for her children. And while it seems morbid to say his death was worth the wait, I just feel the show wouldn't have been the same without it.

Each Pearson child was changed that day. They remember that day as individuals and grieve and move on in different ways. We needed the build up and I'd say it paid off tenfold.

Where Are We Going

Maybe I'm naive or maybe I was to wrapped up in other storylines, but I did not see the ending coming. We see an older Randall walk into an office where his daughter Tessa has become a social worker for foster children. This feels like a very natural story arch for her character.

I will say I am still processing the moment but the idea that This Is Us will be incorporating Flash Forwards gets my incredibly excited. They've just greatly expanded their universe and the possibilities seem endless. Plus, now we know that Randall is safe from death for a long while and we will not have to grieve for him any time soon!

Now that the mystery of Jack is officially solved, we will get to see if This is Us will continue to shine. While I have faith that the show will make me weep like a baby, I am not so sure how I'm going to feel about characters moving forward. Jack's story was really a pillar for me and I became attached to him so quickly. I don't know that I have the same emotional attachment to a character. I will say that I am most intrigued by the foster child situation in Randalls home but besides that I can't really think of a story arch that I can see being as emotional as this. As long as they can make me cry every episode, they've got me hooked.

Your Thoughts

So what did you think? Are you crushed? Glad it's over? What stories do you want to see and how do you think they are going to continue to incorporate Jack? Let's chat!