We will dive into the emotional rollercoaster that is the life and death of Jack Pearson, the beloved patriarch of ‘This Is Us.’ But first, let’s set the stage.
Picture it: ‘This Is Us,’ the show that kept us glued to our screens, centers around the Pearson siblings – Kate, Kevin, and Randall, affectionately known as “The Big Three” by their parents.
Now, here’s the kicker: Jack Pearson, their beloved father, met his tragic demise early in the show’s timeline, but the show’s non-linear storytelling left us hanging, wondering how he met his end.
It was finally in Season 2 that we finally got the answer we’d all been waiting for.
In the ‘This Is Us’ season 2 episode “That’ll Be The Day,” Jack and Rebecca Pearson innocently receive a slow cooker from their elderly neighbors, unaware of its deadly flaw – a faulty switch. Disaster strikes as the cooker ignites while the family sleeps. Jack heroically saves his kids- Kate, Randall, and Rebecca, and the family dog, Louis. However, the smoke’s toll becomes apparent, and he goes into cardiac arrest before passing away.
How Did Jack Pearson Perish in ‘This Is Us’?
In the episode titled “That’ll Be The Day,” Jack and his wife, Rebecca, receive a seemingly innocent gift from their elderly neighbors – a slow cooker.
Little did they know, this slow cooker was harboring a dangerous secret – a faulty switch that would spell disaster for the Pearson family.
As the episode unfolds, the slow cooker catches fire while the family sleeps, unbeknownst to them. The following episode, 14 of season 2, aired on February 4, 2018, is where everything comes crashing down.
Jack awakens to find his home ablaze, a scene that leaves viewers in sheer panic.
Here’s the pivotal moment: Jack, with unwavering bravery, guides his teenaged children – Kate, Randall, and Rebecca – to safety, using a mattress to shield Kate from the suffocating smoke.
He even goes back inside to rescue the family dog, Louis. It’s a nail-biting sequence as we watch the window he used become engulfed in flames.
But Jack’s heroics aren’t without consequences.
Firefighters and EMTs tend to his burns, and it becomes evident that he needs medical attention for smoke inhalation. While he sits with a gas mask, Kate and Randall scramble to figure out their next move.
In a twist of fate, just as Rebecca leaves to arrange hotel accommodations and grab some candy from a vending machine, Jack goes into cardiac arrest.
The stress on his heart and lungs from the smoke takes its toll. Rebecca musters the strength to break the tragic news to their children, leaving the entire Pearson family shattered.
The rest of the episode explores the aftermath of Jack’s sudden demise, with flashbacks marking the 20th anniversary of his death.
Kate watches a poignant audition tape, bonding with her husband Toby, Randall throws a Super Bowl Party with his family, Kevin visits the tree where his father’s ashes were scattered, and Rebecca honors Jack’s memory by preparing his favorite meal and connecting with Kevin.
It’s a gut-wrenching portrayal of grief, resilience, and the enduring love of a family marked by tragedy.
How did Jack Pearson’s death resonate with you? Do you think the series did the right thing by killing him early in the show?
Let us know your opinions in the comments below.
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