This is the day of Jack's funeral. In a departure from the norm, we won't see any of the three Pearson kids as adults in this episode. The family's Jeep Wagoneer becomes another cast member in this episode as Rebecca, and the kid looks back at all the great memories have happened in this car.
The episode begins with Rebecca rushing her three children out of their hotel room and into the car. Randall and Kevin are already bickering as they head to the funeral. All are still in shock.
The first flashback is the day that they purchased the car. They head to the dealership only able to afford a used car. The kids spot the SUV right away. They all love it, but it's too expensive. When the salesman shows them a vehicle they can afford, Jack is not impressed and takes the man inside to discuss options. When he returns, Rebecca is stunned to find out that he made a deal and the SUV is theirs! Rebecca can't imagine how they can afford it, but if Jack says it ok, she trusts him.
As Rebecca sits in the car, she finds an envelope with tickets inside. It's five tickets to see Bruce Springsteen that very night. She remembers just a week ago Jack telling all of them not to make plans for the following Saturday night. How could they possibly have imagined that they would be attending Jack's funeral instead?
She remembers the time when the kids were younger, and they were on their way to a Weird Al Yankovic concert. Rebecca is terrified of the old bridge that they have to cross to get where they're going. Everyone was singing to distract Rebecca. It worked, and they were on their way. It was a great day.
Rebecca and the kids arrive to the funeral first. Rebecca wants them to have a quiet moment before everyone else arrives.
So many people loved Jack. Jack was the heart of this family. How will they cope with him gone
The funeral ends, and the family heads to the reception. Randall it seems has taken on the role of "man of the house," and Kevin isn't going for it. They argue. It takes us back to another flashback when Jack was teaching Randall and Kevin to drive. Randall is behind the wheel, and Kevin is taunting him. They narrowly escape a serious accident because the boys are arguing. In a rare moment, we see Jack lose his cool and makes Randall stop the car. Jack kicks both boys out of the car and makes them walk home. It takes them awhile. They are several blocks from home.
Rebecca is overwhelmed by all the people, the boy's argument, and her grief. She excuses herself and heads outside for some air. As she sits outside, an old friend arrives to pay his respects. It's Dr. Katowski, the doctor who delivered the triplets and encouraged Jack and Rebecca to adopt Randall. This man has been Jack's mentor since that day.
Rebecca tells Dr. Katowski that she doesn't think she can handle being mother and father to her kids. The doctor tells Rebecca that Jack was scared too and he and Jack had many discussions throughout the years. Rebecca had no idea. Dr. Katowski assures Rebecca that she is going to be ok - they all are. She recalls the words that he told Jack the night the babies were, and one was lost. "Take the sourest lemons and make something resembling lemonade," The doctor smiles and says to Rebecca "you didn't just make something resembling lemonade, dear. You made one of the sweetest damn pitchers of lemonade I ever saw, so don't you try to sell me on what you can't do."
Rebecca rejoins the reception finding a guilt-stricken Kate in the kitchen. She tells Rebecca that she doesn't want to keep her dog. No matter what Rebecca says, she can't make Kate see that she is not responsible for her father's death.
Kate remembers the time when Jack discovered her skipping school to go to a record story an Alanis Morissette record signing. Kate begs her dad to let her go and, of course, Jack takes her to the store. The listen to "Jagged Little Pill" on the way, but Jack isn't a fan. He talks to Kate about the talent of Bruce Springsteen.
Rebecca takes the kids to Jack's tree, and they each spread some of Jack's ashes there. She tells the boys that neither one of them has to be the man of the house. All they need to do is just be kids.
Rebecca tells them about the Springsteen tickets. She thinks it would be a great idea for them to go. The kids agree that Jack would have wanted them to go. Rebecca takes a moment to tell her husband that they are all going to be ok.
The family heads to the concert and Rebecca crosses that same bridge by herself, with no fear!
I have questions. How does Rebecca support the family? Does she go back to singing? Randall still goes to college but what about Kate and Kevin? What will Jack's story be now?
This is Us returns Tuesday, February 27 at 9:00 pm.