NBC gave viewers a double dose of This Is Us this week, because the network clearly knew we needed some closure after learning the reason behind Jack's death Sunday night.
In "The Car" episode, which aired Tuesday, Jack's funeral takes place and the Pearson's station wagon is used to journey viewers down the family's memory lane. The bonus episode did not disappoint as the series' writers once again magically weaved their subtle symbolism throughout the characters' storylines. Did you catch all of the hidden meanings in the plot?
Check out our recap below of some of the clues you may have missed.
1. Dr. K's return was the first sign Jack ever sent Rebecca
In "Super Bowl Sunday," Rebecca told Kevin that Jack has always given her a sign on the anniversary of his death. One year, it was a song of theirs that played twice in her car radio, and this year it was Kevin reconnecting with his mother.
In "The Car" episode, Dr. K reveals to Rebecca that her husband always used to pay him a visit when he needed some guidance. Since Jack knew that Rebecca needed a shoulder to lean on after his untimely passing, is it possible he sent her Dr. K to help her heal?
2. Dr. K married the woman from the supermarket in Season 1
In "The Big Day" episode from last season, viewers saw how Dr. K mourned the death of his wife on the same day he delivered the Pearson babies. A woman named Anne approached him at the supermarket and asked to make him dinner sometime, but Dr. K brushed off her invitation because he did not feel ready to move on just yet. In last night's episode, Anne reemerges on the show as Dr. K's new wife.
3. Miguel and Rebecca lock eyes at Jack's funeral
During Miguel's eulogy, he comments on how difficult of a time he is having dealing with best friend Jack's death. "I'm not sure if there's enough water in this world to get me through today," he says before making eye contact with Rebecca. Immediately after, Randall gives his eulogy, in which he talks about the strong love that his mother and father shared. The camera also then pans down to Rebecca's moon necklace, which Jack gave her. The sequence of these events is interesting to note since we know eventually Miguel and Rebecca end up being partners in life. Could it be the writers' way of telling viewers that somehow Jack divinely intervened for Rebecca and Miguel to end up together?
4. Rebecca conquers her fear of bridges
In the beginning of the episode, Rebecca's phobia of bridges is revealed. She panics as the family crosses a bridge under construction on their way to a Weird Al Yankovic concert. Some may have not caught that after Jack's funeral, Rebecca is forced to drive over a bridge once again to get to the Bruce Springsteen concert. It is the first fear that she has had to overcome without her husband and symbolizes her newfound strength as the leader of the household.
5. Rebecca's health is brought to the forefront
As we noted in our "Super Bowl Sunday" recap, no detail, object or quote is to be ignored on This Is Us. In last night's episode, the writers included a scene in which Rebecca's health is discussed. After a few dizzy spells, Rebecca gets some tests done at the doctor. "We've just got to be sure that it's not something more serious," Jack tells his wife. "Yeah, like a brain tumor," she responds.
Not to be a downer, but this could be a possible clue that Rebecca will have to deal with this kind of medical issue in a future storyline. Remember in our previous recap how we pointed out that old Randall is pictured in a hospital room (not an office setting like on the show)? In a separate scene this episode, Jack also tells his sons, "Your mom and I are not going to be around forever."
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