‘This Is Us’: Answers, Reactions & Theories to Questions Raised in the Season 2 Finale
The This Is Us Season 2 finale definitely left fans hanging when the writers gave them a shocking glimpse into the Pearson family’s future—and let’s just say it wasn’t all happy.
In a flash-forward sequence in the final few moments, the “Big 3” were front and center as the good, bad, and confusing reveals played out.
The first found Kevin (Justin Hartley) on a plane to Vietnam with Beth’s cousin Zoe (Melanie Liburd). Although confusing, this was the least worrisome part of the montage. Next, we saw Kate (Chrissy Metz) tending to a bed-ridden Toby (Chris Sullivan), as he appears to have fallen into a deep state of depression—just like the one his parents referenced in the episode. Finally, there’s future Randall (Sterling K. Brown)—the furthest time-jump so far—and a grown-up Tess talking about their dread over having to see a mysterious “her.”
Any way you look at it, This Is Us answered many questions this season—Jack’s death is, thankfully, no longer a mystery—but the finale also raised a whole lot more going into the break. Below, find these questions, along with some interesting theories, answers, and reactions.
WHAT HAPPENED TO TOBY??? WHO ARE RANDALL AND TESS GOING TO SEE?? WHY ARE KEVIN AND BETHS COUSIN GOING TO VIETNAM?? I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS!!! #ThisIsUs pic.twitter.com/Ed2VIMplCV
— Desiree (@desireepulmones) March 14, 2018
Are Randall and Tess talking about Beth or Déja?
“It’s time to go see her Tess.” Those seven words will haunt every This Is Us fan until Season 3. In an Q&A at the SXSW Festival, creator Dan Fogelman revealed that “the end of next season, you’ll know where (this storyline) is going.” The end of next season is very far away, approximately a year away to be exact.
The first time fans were introduced to this timeline, the lack of Beth (Susan Kelechi Watson) in the scene raised many red flags and fan theories—one of which is her possible death or divorce from Randall. Fans noted that Randall’s hand (which should have a wedding band) wasn’t shown. “It’s not conscious that we’re not seeing his wedding ring,” reassured Fogelman during the panel. Yet that doesn’t rule out the other possibility that Beth could either be seriously ill or deceased.
On the other hand, there are many indicators that could prove the “her” is, in fact, Déja (Lyric Ross). With Jack’s death, there were many small hints for why he’d go back into the burning house: He pet Kate’s dog, put her audition tape away, and left a note on Kevin’s door, all foreshadowing his heroic and ultimately deadly act. During the flash forward, we see Déja smashing Beth and Randall’s car, while Tess wonders aloud on her foster sister’s whereabouts.
The troubled teen is clearly out of control, and we don’t know where she’ll go next. Not to mention, when Toby’s mother mistook her for Randall’s biological daughter, it stirred up another underlying issue yet to be explored. Executive producer Elizabeth Berger tells Entertainment Weekly, “One of the things that we may come to know more about next season is Deja’s father, because we haven’t yet talked about it at all. Obviously, Deja has had almost no relationship with him, but she may know more about him than we previously let on.”
Fans took to social media immediately after future Randall and Tess’ exchange, and there are already some really interesting theories in the works.
deja killed annie and beth, randall and tess are visiting her in prison for the first time. throughout the episode they were playing worst case scenario and they mention deja going to jail, and her killing them. i’m telling ya people they giving us a hint right there. #thisisus
— lexi (@alexarose527) March 14, 2018
Me trying to figure out if Randall & Tess are so upset because Beth died or because Deja ended up in prison. Or wait, what if Deja is in prison for murdering Beth…and not while she was sleeping 😳 #ThisIsUs pic.twitter.com/500JWjZLRO
— C Steele (@Miss_Steele12) March 14, 2018
The flash forward scene with Randall and Tess better have nothing to do with Beth. We have been through ENOUGH losing Jack and William #ThisIsUs 😩
— Alyssa Falcone (@lyssfalcon) March 14, 2018
Why are Kevin and Zoe traveling to Vietnam? And when did they become a couple?
One of the happier “one year from now” scenes shows Kevin’s apparent romance with Beth’s cousin Zoe. Kevin dealt with a lot this season, from his substance abuse to finally coping with his father’s death, so he deserves some happiness, right? We did see their initial connection at the wedding reception when Zoe told Kevin she liked his speech, but the timing of when their relationship begins is still unclear.
When the in-flight intercom announces their descent into Vietnam, Kevin looks at an old photo of his father and uncle. Why would Kevin be going to Vietnam? At the show’s SXSW panel, a fan asked if Kevin was looking for a long-lost sibling—the result of a wartime fling between Jack (Milo Ventimiglia) and an unknown woman—but Fogelman shot this down. “Before you continue, Jack loves Rebecca,” he stated.
So if it isn’t a sibling, perhaps it could be a long-lost cousin? Jack’s brother Nicky died in the war, so there’s potential for a storyline there. Kevin’s journey to Vietnam would coincide with what the writers have planned for Season 3, which is, as Fogelman says, “a big Vietnam season for us. We’re doing some cool stuff. Milo will get a real showcase as younger Jack and there will be more Jack and Rebecca origin stories.”
Regardless, this new romance gives us something to look forward to, if not for the happiness, at least to see Beth’s reaction when she discovers their relationship. Kevin and Zoe’s relationship “is a racial dynamic that’s interesting for us to explore,” Fogelman added in the talk. And it seems like viewers are excited to see how it all happens, too.
I already love Zoe, and would like to see more of her and more of Beth’s family next season. Please! #ThisIsUs
— Rebecca (@RebLynnH) March 14, 2018
Aaaahhhh I’m all about Kevin and Cousin Zoe! #ThisIsUs pic.twitter.com/XDapcAgd3L
— Char (@CharmaineMR) March 14, 2018
I hope Zoe sticks around. she’s just like Beth. now it’s like there’s double Beth, which I LOVE. #thisisus
— Aubrey Meister (@aubreymeister_) March 14, 2018
Is Toby depressed or is it something else?
In the finale, Toby’s parents expressed concern about his mental health. After all, in the first season he revealed he’d contemplated suicide after falling into a depression after his divorce. Seeing him in bed with a blank expression as Kate talks about adjusting his medications makes us wonder if he’s slipped back into this dark state post-marriage.
But could it be something more? Did something serious happen to spark this bout of depression or is Toby ill with something like cancer? There are plenty of theories circulating online.
Future Toby is depressed because they could never have kids and spoiler alert…he found out HE was the cause (Kate thought she was due to her weight/age)
Tess & Randall are going to see Deja…in jail…because she hurt Beth like in Beth’s worst case scenario fear. #ThisIsUs
Why does Toby need meds? Kevin and Beth’s sister-cousin on the way to Vietnam? Who was Randall urging older Tess to go see? Has Deja lost her mind? 😰 #ThisIsUs pic.twitter.com/c7mXdig6ES
— LiLterature ✍🏾📓📚 (@iWrite4orU_LRW) March 14, 2018
Wait a gotdamn second. Gotta see who? Kevin’s with Beth’s cousin? What caused Toby to go down this road again? 🗣 I’M NOT TRYING TO WAIT UNTIL FALL! #ThisIsUs
— Brit (@_InfiniteSoul) March 14, 2018
Toby’s depressed and back on meds again. That scene legit made me sad #ThisIsUs
— Snack Panther (@SistahSarcasm) March 14, 2018
— Tara (@TaraWillDo) March 14, 2018
What was in Kate’s bouquet?
As Kate walked down the aisle, the camera panned down to her bouquet and a piece of wood was nestled among the flowers. A major part of the episode was Kate’s worry over not having her father’s t-shirt for her “something old,” and Kevin and Randall offered some of their father’s other belongings to replace it.
What she ultimately opted for was one of Jack’s screwdrivers, which Kate placed carefully in the arrangement—a little piece of Jack to walk her down the aisle. Fans were confused about the choice and made suggestions for better options.
Kevin has Jacks necklace and Randall has his watch yet they are both like “idk kate do u want a baseball bat?” #thisisus
— burt macklin FBI (@brittuhhhny) March 14, 2018
This Is Us, Returns This Fall, NBC
