As a long-time fan of “This Is Us“, I can confidently say that Jack Pearson’s death was the most heart-wrenching moment I’ve experienced in television history. His character, played brilliantly by Milo Ventimiglia, was the embodiment of love, sacrifice, and devotion – a true family man. The way his story unfolded over seasons, building up to that fateful Superbowl Sunday, left me emotionally drained but eager for more.
This Is Us” resonates deeply with the essence of life, encompassing a rich tapestry of events such as birth, romance, marriage, loss, happiness, and sorrow across its episodes. One particularly poignant loss is that of Jack Pearson (Milo Ventimiglia), the beloved patriarch of the Pearsons and the focal point of many family memories. His children and wife cherish him dearly, not because he was flawless, but rather due to his unwavering devotion towards his loved ones.
The tragic demise of Jack significantly impacts his children, causing feelings of guilt, sorrow, and intense grief. This event deeply saddens Rebecca (portrayed by Mandy Moore, whose Emmy snub in her final season sparked outrage among fans), and she finds it hard to open up to love again for quite some time. When Rebecca eventually passes away, Jack is there to comfort her as she transitions into what appears to be the afterlife through a metaphorical train tunnel. However, Jack’s impending death, which was heavily hinted at throughout the series, leaves viewers at home heartbroken and questioning the show’s decisions. To this day, many fans of “This Is Us” recall how he departed so poignantly, and some still hold grudges against the show for its creative choices.
Jack Pearson was always going to be This Is Us’ saddest tragedy
Before Jack’s death appears on screen, the audience has already been emotionally prepared for it. The storyline alternates between past and present, yet in the current timeline, Jack is already deceased. However, the poignant effects of his demise are evidently woven throughout the storyline.
In the initial two seasons of “This Is Us,” viewers catch a glimpse into the lives of Rebecca and Jack, learning how they became the biological parents of Kate (Chrissy Metz) and Kevin (Justin Hartley), as well as adoptive parents to Randall (Sterling K. Brown). We witness Jack’s struggle with his father’s alcoholism, a battle he fights diligently but ultimately loses when he takes on an office job. He sacrifices his dream of owning his own business for the sake of providing for Randall’s future education at a private school. As the story unfolds, Jack seeks help in rehabilitation, voices his displeasure over Rebecca’s decision to pursue a solo music career while their children are still teenagers, and navigates the joys and hardships of parenthood.
Hinting at various scenes and glimpses, as well as numerous foreshadowing events, the tragic incident is set up and scheduled for January 25, 1998. On that memorable Super Bowl Sunday, the Pearson family’s house will unfortunately catch fire, ultimately claiming Jack’s life.
What actually killed Jack in This Is Us
Tragically, Jack Pearson perishes in a house fire that alters the family’s lives irrevocably. The blaze was ignited by a malfunctioning slow cooker gifted to them by their neighbor. Jack is the first to be roused from sleep as the fire breaks out. He bravely leads everyone to safety from the burning house, but upon realizing that their beloved pet dog, Louis, is still inside, he re-enters the inferno. Despite the flames growing stronger, Jack manages to escape with Louis and some vital family mementos.
Emergency responders, including EMTS and firefighters, arrive to extinguish the flames. Upon checking on Jack, they inform him that he has inhaled a significant amount of smoke and needs immediate hospitalization. Initially, it appears everything will turn out fine. Rebecca briefly steps away to get some sweets. Regrettably, this brief absence is enough for Jack to suffer a fatal cardiac arrest. The strain on his heart and lungs from the smoke he inhaled was too much for him to survive.
Rebecca carries lifelong remorse due to her decision to abandon Jack in his final moments, a choice she deeply regrets. His offspring also yearn for those fleeting seconds that could have been spent with him during his last breaths. The weight of Kevin’s regret is particularly heavy as he missed the fire entirely, having spent the night away with his girlfriend. This lingering sense of loss will cast a shadow over their lives for many decades, influencing their future relationships and personal growth.
Jack’s death in Ths Is Us was controversial and devastating to fans
Despite knowing Jack’s demise was unavoidable, the moment it unfolded before them left fans in shock, expressing a range of intense emotions from sorrow to frustration. One Twitter user, @citchon, exclaimed, “Stop tugging at my heartstrings!!!” while @Dorthieee admitted, “I barely made it 5 minutes and tears have already flowed.
Some viewers were perplexed while live-posting on Twitter during the episode, as they were aware that Jack had passed away in a fire, but weren’t informed that it was actually health complications leading to his death. “@JesuisKimeee” tweeted, “From a heart attack!!!” accompanied by a gif of Anthony Anderson crying.
Many people were heartbroken and angry that Jack passed away without his family present, as expressed by @IreeneGee_23 with a tweet saying, “He died alone, I’m screaming at the TV,” along with a gif of Emma Stone crying while eating ice cream. Similarly, @philophobiac_ shared a gif from Titanic showing Rose begging Jack to wake up, captioned, “Me currently screaming at the TV.” John Amory encapsulated the collective feelings by tweeting, “An Emmy for Mandy Moore and a Xanax for the rest of us.
Despite the fact that the Pearsons could continue living without Jack, the absence of him significantly changed their lives, as well as the number of viewers for the show. For certain individuals, Jack’s demise served as a motivation to stop tuning in.
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2024-11-07 22:00