“This Is Us” Super Bowl Sunday Episode Leaves Us In Tears

Are you doing okay? Because I’m definitely not doing okay after that post Super Bowl episode of This Is Us. The episode that reveals all. The episode that has left me in shambles….

I know we’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time, pretty much since the start of the series, but–my oh my–when the time finally came for the reveal there was just something that made me want to keep it away a little while longer. I wanted to enjoy the happy memories and soak in the good that’s happened… the calm before the storm. Now everything has changed for the Pearson family following Jack’s heartbreaking death.

We began with the start of a massive fire in their home. Jack, heroic man that he is, put his family’s safety first and hustled to get them out as quickly as possible. The first 5 minutes of the episode had me choked up and bawling. It hit me way too fast and I had to get myself together.

The braveness Jack exhibited in getting everyone out was absolutely honorable. This man is something else.

Then came a fake-out I predicted…he wasn’t going to die in the fire, but would most likely end up in the hospital. And that did come true, but I’ll get to that in a minute.

A part of me was angry at Kate for sending her father back in to save Mr. Giggles. Like, Kate, you’re making your dad go back into an INFERNO and he did it because he loves you. Darn that dog.

After the fire, the sense of hope and relief we felt from Jack’s escape quickly changed to utter fear as we recalled his fate, he would eventually still die.

Let’s talk about that devasting death scene, shall we?

While Jack got checked for smoke inhalation in the hospital you sensed a  “knowing” about him. Somehow he knew. He knew something wasn’t right and he wouldn’t survive. Not wanting to be a burden he didn’t say a word, just acted like everything was okay. Sigh. There was so much pain in his eyes, but somehow he held it in for Rebecca. Ugh, MY HEART.

THIS IS US — “Super Bowl Sunday” Episode 214 — Pictured: Mandy Moore as Rebecca — (Photo by: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)

I kept yelling at Rebecca to turn around and rush to his side as the medical team went to save him during his cardiac arrest. She was so close… yet too far. When the doctor sat her down to tell her the news, that’s when I lost it.

Mandy Moore’s performance in that heartbreaking moment is definitely Emmy worthy. Her denial, the innocuous way she took a bite of that candy bar, the way she then rushed to tell Jack what the doctor said– she performed the hell out of that scene. Quite frankly, that’s the most real moment you could capture.

I feel as if most people expected a grand death for Jack versus the kind of ordinary death we see too often in reality. I say his passing was already big enough, no need to have a crazy big twist to validate his being gone.

THIS IS US — Episode 214 — Pictured: (l-r) Chrissy Metz as Kate, Chris Sullivan as Toby — (Photo by: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)

This episode was emotional for so many reasons. Now we will get to see how Rebecca and the kids cope with their loss.

In the present, the Pearson family tries to go about their day, remembering their father on the anniversary of his death and coping with their loss in their individual ways.

The episode pieced a lot of the puzzle together when it came to the Big Three. For Kate, obviously, it’s the toughest. She blames herself. For Kevin, he wants to gain some forgiveness. For Randall, he intends to celebrate his dad with happy thoughts.

Then came that twist towards the end! This whole time we were lead to believe that little boy would get fostered by Randall and Beth. Surprise, surprise! That was actually the future and the woman who was with the boy was actually adult Tess. I did not see that coming. Not one bit.

That was such a beautiful moment, knowing Tess grew up to be a social worker who helps kids get fostered. What a surprise. Not only that, we also know Randall grows old enough to see his children grow up, something Jack wasn’t able to do.

The writing on this show is so well thought out. You can’t help but be in awe.

I’m so anxious for the remaining episodes of this season because there is much more storytelling to go.

What did you think of the most emotional episode of This Is Us so far? Let us know in the comments below.

This Is Us airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on NBC.

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