TAGGED AS: NBC
Even by This Is Us standards, which is a three hankie minimum every week, “What Now?” was an emotional episode. Everyone knew William (Ron Cephas Jones)’s memorial would be powerful, but probably didn’t expect all the extra baggage it unleashed.
The service brought back Kate (Chrissy Metz)’s painful memories of Jack (Milo Ventimiglia)’s death, for one. The bride-to-be finally told her fiancé, Toby (Chris Sullivan), the heartbreaking reason she avoids talking about her father’s passing: She feels it’s her fault.
Earlier in the episode, young Kate (Mackenzie Hancsicsak) sensed the turmoil in Jack and Rebecca (Mandy Moore)’s marriage. In the car, she told Jack to try to work it out. But in the final scene of the episode, it appears Jack’s decision to fight for his marriage came at a bad time. He looks visibly drunk as he gets into his car, and the promo for the season finale hints at an automobile accident.
Immediately, Team Kate on Twitter jumped to her defense:
Kate needs to let that go, nothing was her fault. #ThisisUs
— This Is Us…Now (@ThisIsUs__Now) March 8, 2017
Kate… it's not your fault.? #ThisIsUs @NBCThisisUs
— bueller (@VandolahAshley) March 8, 2017
Awww kate.
Poor baby. It isn't your fault.#ThisIsUs— Stephanie (@Musicalfreakgr2) March 8, 2017
I can't be the only one yelling at Kate/my tv "no, it's not!!" at the end of #ThisIsUs …
— Sarah Finlay (@sarahmfinlay) March 8, 2017
KATE ITS NOT YOUR FAULT ITS NO ONES FAULT I LOVE U ALL #THISISUS pic.twitter.com/HxkX0CQmuM
— meg? (@MeganPMcCaffrey) March 8, 2017
Jack's death is not Kate's fault, it's nobody's fault! Jack made the decision to go see Rebecca, Kate didn't make him! #ThisIsUs
— TV FANATIC (@fyeahtv) March 8, 2017
Perhaps more importantly, Jack of all people certainly wouldn’t want Kate feeling this way:
Jack would be so heartbroken to know that Kate blames herself #ThisIsUs
— Fabiola (@Miss_Fabi_hola) March 8, 2017
Some fans noticed the foreshadowing earlier in the episode:
I knew it was going to end like that when I heard Jack and teenage Kate's talk in the back of the car. #ThisisUs
— Sarah? (@ShippingAcademy) March 8, 2017
So Kate saying that it was her fault Jack died is because she was the one that pushed him to made amends with Rebecca :/ #ThisIsUs
— Shadia??? (@lolitsshads) March 8, 2017
So, I have a theory as to what we see in the finale of #ThisIsUs . It's that Kate wanted them to work it out so he went to do so, but…
— #SteelersNation (@WomaN_OFSt33L) March 8, 2017
Omg!!! Kate!!! No!!! Is he going to drive?!? Is he drunk?!? He's going to see Rebecca!!! Nooooo!!!?? Drunk Driving!!! #ThisIsUs
— Denise Renee (@deniserenee24) March 8, 2017
Others are awaiting confirmation about what actually happened in the season finale next week. This Is Us confirmed five episodes in that Jack was not alive in 2016 (and hinted at his fate in the series premiere). We’ve seen glimpses of his funeral, but the show still hasn’t confirmed when it happened. Each week has contained a pretty major twist reveal, but maybe the biggest twist of all would be if the show kept fans in the dark about his fate until next season.
Next week Kate is going to tell the story of how her dad Jack died. I'm not ready. ??#ThisIsUs@MiloVentimiglia @NBCThisisUs @ChrissyMetz pic.twitter.com/KNk6laGa2m
— Maggie L. ? (@GlennRheeLove) March 8, 2017
Ahhhh man, why does this show leave us with a freaking cliffhanger? I want to know how did Kate contribute to her dad's death? #ThisIsUs
— 2J?????? (@jimmyyadig) March 8, 2017
oh NO. Is Jack gonna get in a car crash on his way to see Rebecca because Kate told him to go see Mom? ?? Please no. #ThisIsUs
— Melissa Lew (@lewdacriiis) March 8, 2017
Then again, fans of This Is Us know there could always be another twist. Scarlett Splane, below, even noticed some behind-the-scenes photos of Jack meeting Rebecca again.
But that still doesn't make sense because I've seen insta stories of Mandy's of them filming after this night. It's a misdirect #ThisIsUs
— Scarlett Splane (@ScarlettKate) March 8, 2017
I will think he will die in Cleveland, but not this night. He meets up with Rebecca again. Kate still blames hereself though. #ThisIsUs
— Scarlett Splane (@ScarlettKate) March 8, 2017
Kate didn't drive Jack to drinking. She must have called him to pick her up. #ThisIsUs
— Ashleigh (@forkcetious) March 8, 2017
One thing is for sure, Kate and Jack’s relationship seems pretty universal:
Kate & Jack's relationship reminds me so much of me & my dad, how will I get through the finale ??? #ThisIsUs @ChrissyMetz @MiloVentimiglia
— Jess (@JessTilley) March 8, 2017
I just love @ChrissyMetz so much! Kate's struggle reminds me of my own over my beloved mother. #ThisIsUs
— Michelle Sumpter (@hellbillygal) March 8, 2017
And it wouldn’t be This Is Us without plenty of tears:
This Is Us makes me cry so hard, like Viola Davis snot bubble crying. The Memphis episode just shook me up.
— Indigo (@indie_gogo) March 8, 2017
My typical post #ThisIsUs emotional state. pic.twitter.com/OJH34VZA02
— Kate Lewis (@RealKateLewis) March 8, 2017
Kate has turned me into a pile of mush #ThisIsUs
— Petty By Nature (@Scorp1179) March 8, 2017
There will never be a time I'm not ugly crying from #ThisIsUs
— Katie (@KateTheGreat007) March 8, 2017
Slightly embarrassed to say that the minute Kate said Jack's death was her fault I completely lost it. I'm emotional tonight. #ThisIsUs
— Lyndsey Paige Photo (@LyndseyPortell) March 8, 2017
This is my worst nightmare of how Jack dies…and the fact Kate thinks it's her fault. I've reached sobbing status. #ThisIsUs
— MichelleF0918 (@MichelleF0918) March 8, 2017
The season finale of This Is Us airs Tuesday, March 14 at 9/8C on NBC
