S02.E14: Super Bowl Sunday

[ElectricBoogaloo]

NOTE: THIS EPISODE WILL AIR ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE SUPER BOWL (NOT THE SHOW'S USUAL TUESDAY NIGHT TIME SLOT).

 

Quote

Randall hosts a Super Bowl party while Kevin and Kate reconnect with the past.

Promo:

[Spartan Girl]

Got to go cry myself to sleep now.

[Armchair Critic]

Poor Jack.

Wait a minute... I thought that Randall was going to foster that little boy. What?

[Conotocarious]

Wowwwww.

 

The older Tess at the end was pretty mind-blowing.

[jcin617]

That was hard.   But, our first flash forward!  

[Lady Calypso]

The episode didn't make me sob all throughout it, or at all, but the one really strong moment was the scene where Rebecca was told about Jack's death. That was actually really, really moving for many different reasons. Mandy Moore did an excellent job here.

[mtlchick]

So for those who said "It's because of the dog!" You were somewhat right.  RIP Papa Pearson.

Mandy Moore has her Emmy submission in hand with this one.  She was stellar.  

I can only imagine the Mars company getting the script saying "So...Twix, Mars or M+Ms.  What candy are you ok with that fans will fully reject because that's how Becca will learn the truth?"

GAH!  This show.  
 

[serenitynow]

That was grown up Tess as the social worker.  

 

I am emotionally drained.

[Guest]

Jack, you idiot. Way to kill yourself and mess up your kids for life.

I kept seeing this promo where the actors said a word to describe the episode- my word would be “overacted.”

I did like when Kevin’s sappy monologue switched from trite cliches to “I did a movie with Rocky!” Kevin is my favorite of the three kids.

Kate, you are in no way responsible for your dad’s death. He was the one too stubborn to listen to reason and ran back into a building house.

The scene with Kevin and Rebecca on the phone was pretty good; I think they are my favorite two Pearsons. Except Tess and Annie. Those two are probably the best.

That ending was the first time the show has surprised me since maybe episode 2? I was so sure that boy was going to be adopted by Randall and Beth!

[voiceover]

Soon it will be three years.  

 

It's amazing, what triggers you.  Things you probably expect, and things you don't.  Sometimes it's the mundane and sentimental, like a last look at a young man on a hospital bed; a young man who, when he was a younger man, played a punk kid named Jess on a show you loved, despite the fact, you never liked him.

And Milo, tonight, with his "Katie girl",  I'm sorry to tell you, triggers me with my dad and his nickname for me and that sound I can't ever scratch out of my head; "Dad coded"...

 

I don't know how long it might take, to step back and evaluate this ep; not with that noise in my head.
 

[Diana Berry]

Didn't cry until the end with older Tess and the little boy.

[J0nas3]

Wow. That was amazing. Didn’t even see the misdirect with the foster kid Adult Tess was trying to place.  There were...yes, tears. Relatively fulsome. But I was glad to watch that.

[Lady Calypso]

I have more thoughts, but one stuck in my mind from the first ten minutes: So, his house is on fire, like legit fire, and he runs inside to get the dog while the bedroom bursts into flame.....and he thinks there's time to grab as many personal possessions as possible?!?! Also, wouldn't the living room where these things all are be on fire too? 

Seriously, the dog is one thing. But taking a couple of extra minutes to shove pictures and videos in a bag, although sweet, is just plain stupid. 

Right, I forgot. He's Saint Jack. He can do no wrong, even in the face of death. 

I wanted to find it sweet, but I was a quarter charmed but three quarters irritated. 

Otherwise, only three moments really got to me: the immediate aftermath of Rebecca being told that Jack died, Kevin talking to the tree, and Rebecca/Kevin's phone call. I guess, for me, those two moments felt more realistic. Randall's plot was good, and I didn't mind them drawing parallels to Jack, but it felt...TV written, with all his speeches. Kate/Toby's storyline could have been really good had Toby not been a complete jerk and unable to read the signs. 

I also enjoyed the twist of the little boy being older Tess' foster kid she was placing. Though that means we won't ever see him again, as I can't imagine them continuing to do flashforwards, nor is there really a point? Or maybe they're going toward more flashforwards, since now they've told Jack's death.

And I see it's the return of Deja.

I wish I felt more, but it didn't. I think they overpromoted the episode. 

[InsertWordHere]

Future Randall with future glasses! Going to have to go back and see if the future Tess actress was in the previous episode with the little boy. I’m guessing she was. 

ETA: It looked like that was footage from this year’s Super Bowl that they managed to sneak into the episode. If so, that’s pretty cool. 

Edited February 5, 2018 by InsertWordHere

[chocolatine]

I understand going back to save the dog, but why waste precious seconds to get the sentimental stuff? Those seconds could have been the difference between living and dying.

I loved the flash-forward with Tess. Didn't see it coming at all! 

[Diana Berry]

3 hours ago, voiceover said:

Soon it will be three years.  

 

It's amazing, what triggers you.  Things you probably expect, and things you don't.  Sometimes it's the mundane and sentimental, like a last look at a young man on a hospital bed; a young man who, when he was a younger man, played a punk kid named Jess on a show you loved, despite the fact, you never liked him.

And Milo, tonight, with his "Katie girl",  I'm sorry to tell you, triggers me with my dad and his nickname for me and that sound I can't ever scratch out of my head; "Dad coded"...

 

I don't know how long it might take, to step back and evaluate this ep; not with that noise in my head.
 

I had a moment like that watching of all things Friday's Dateline.  The older man reminded me of my late father(looks,etc).  Totally understand.

[SimoneS]

Damn, this show. It got me yet again. After he survived the fire, I knew Jack would die, but still, it hit me hard. Mandy Moore was outstanding as were the actors playing teenage Randall and Kate.

Oh Tess, your father's love for you is as deep as the ocean. I didn't see adult Tess coming. Nice twist. I am glad that Deja is back. 

Farewell, Mr. McGiggle. You didn't last very long.

Edited February 5, 2018 by SimoneS

[HeyThere83]

3 minutes ago, Lady Calypso said:

The episode didn't make me sob all throughout it, or at all, but the one really strong moment was the scene where Rebecca was told about Jack's death. That was actually really, really moving for many different reasons. Mandy Moore did an excellent job here.

This might have been the only time I REALLY felt a performance. 

[anna0852]

What got me the most was Jack telling Randall that if he wasn't back in 3 minutes that he was to get his mother out even if he had to drag her. I'm so glad Randall didn't end up in that position because he would have done it and the guilt of having to explain to his mother might have eaten him alive. I understand why Jack said it, I'm just glad Randall didn't have to do it.

[mojoween]

Wow Adult Tess looks so much like Young Tess.  Whatever they pay the casting director, it’s not enough.

I feel like Stillers fans, if had to choose, would root for the Eagles over the Patriots all day.

I understand Kate wants to watch the VCR tape because memories, but she still should have backed it up to DVD, just in case.  However, Toby, unless you lost your dad in a sudden and tragic way, you can’t really try to tell other people how to behave about it, no matter how well-meaning you are.  You just can’t know.

[debraran]

I am disappointed that they lied so much to the fans. It wasn't "massive, and never seen before on tv" It was what many fans guessed and Fogleman said they didn't, he never read one comment (or did Milo or Mandy) that came close. That wasn't true. I guess I was let down that the twist just wasn't there. Soul crushing isn't a heart attack you don't even see. You knew he couldn't leave the hospital, I don't know, it just fell flat for me. My daughter went to bed, she was like, this is not flowing for me, I'll watch it later in the week.

I hope they show that Rebecca stayed with him a while and held him and said goodbye. You can hear him call her name when she is on the phone. That made me cry, not the fire.

 

Edited February 5, 2018 by debraran

[Packerbrewerbadger]

Once again, superb casting- older Tess really looked she could be young Tess grown up. 

[debraran]

Just now, Packerbrewerbadger said:

Once again, superb casting- older Tess really looked she could be young Tess grown up. 

They do find good actors to play the kids. I hope Kate gets that tape on DVD too, it wont last forever.

[Superpole2000]

20 miinutes in, I was thinking, "Oh just kill him already!" And then after all of that foreshadowing (flashbacking?) and buildup for 1.5 seasons of TV, they kill him off camera. Nice one.

And the fact that Rebecca was buying/eating a chocolate bar when she heard about the death really was inconsequential. I have no idea why the writers tried to make that a big meaningful thing.

The fakeout with the foster kid was unnecessary and primarily inserted as a "Gotcha!" moment to the viewers.

Randall telling one of his children that she is his "Number One!" was awful. Why do these writers have such an obsession with numbering kids?

[bettername2come]

I knew that was a flash forward! Great casting, that woman looks so much like young Tess.

So glad the dog was actually in the house. I mean, I'd rather Jack die while successfully saving the dog than for nothing. I really thought for a second he wouldn't come back out. I would have been irrationally angry at not getting those few more moments with Jack that we got.

I laughed inappropriately at the chaos in the background while Rebecca was one phone and her biting the candy bar. 

And yay! Randall gets to be old! Also loved the framed painting of Kevin's up on the wall.

Just now, debraran said:

They do find good actors to play the kids. I hope Kate gets that tape on DVD too, it wont last forever.

She watched it on her computer at the end, so she must have.

[gonzosgirrl]

Loved it. It might not have lived up to the hype - could anything? But it more than lived up to my expectations. RIP Jack Pearson.

Totally got me with the twist. I was sure Randall was getting his mini-me, then... swerve!! Well done, show.

And I continue to love Beth.

[ByaNose]

Wait! Is this show filming 20 years in advance? Old Tess looks just like young Tess. The casting director deserves an Emmy.

[Lady Calypso]

I will say, the callback to Randall saying that Jack died "when nobody was looking" was kind of a gut punch, because Rebecca literally had her back turned while Jack was dying. She could have just turned around and gotten to be in the room before he died. 

[Brookside]

This episode was so overwrought it was unbearable.

The Sally Field lookalike character becomes more saccharine every episode.

I like Toby.  I know many posters don't seem to but I love how, though he's a dufus, he does try to understand Kate, support her, give her space, etc.

[emjohnson03]

I think what I love most about this show is just how everything is so clearly focused but you don't see it when you watch because it JUST WORKS.

Rebecca after being told Jack's death and how she just reacts....and reacts...and reacts. It's so perfectly acted and you know how much work went into it being so seamless. Goodness gracious!

But what got me is when she's telling the kids and you see Kevin FINALLY talking to Jack at the tree. And goodness could that have been any better with Kevin and mom? I just love how again, it's such a clear direction and what makes sense, but you almost don't see it coming because of how perfectly it's done.

What this show does SO WELL is just the little moments that give you the big ones. Every step leads to who these people are. You aren't TELLING US, you are SHOWING us.

And loved that Tess switch-up!! WHOA! BEAUTIFUL!!!

The journey doesn't end with Jack's death, and never did, but it's PART of the story that lives in their lives always.

And please give Mandy an Emmy nod. Just wonderful. 

[Trillium]

1 minute ago, mojoween said:

Wow Adult Tess looks so much like Young Tess.  Whatever they pay the casting director, it’s not enough.

 

Absolutely this. I thought earlier that the social worker looked familiar. Because duh, she’s grown up Tess. Really well done casting. 

 

Also liked the use of the actual Super Bowl footage in the episode. 

 

Finally, while it wasn’t as gut wrenching as the hype, I really enjoyed Kevin and Rebecca’s conversations the most. Especially him admitting how hard it had to be for her. 

[DebbieM4]

7 minutes ago, Diana Berry said:

Didn't cry until the end with older Tess and the little boy.

Me too.  I'm super-emotional and I cry easily, but only the very end with grown-up Tess triggered tears for me tonight.  That was really sweet and nicely done.

[ByaNose]

Just now, Brookside said:

This episode was so overwrought it was unbearable.

The Sally Field lookalike character becomes more saccharine every episode.

I like Toby.  I know many posters don't seem to but I love how, though he's a dufus, he does try to understand Kate, support her, give her space, etc.

I sorta wanted Toby to say, “Enough!!!”. I guess he would look bad doing so but I wanted to do it.

[gonzosgirrl]

1 minute ago, Lady Calypso said:

I will say, the callback to Randall saying that Jack died "when nobody was looking" was kind of a gut punch, because Rebecca literally had her back turned while Jack was dying. She could have just turned around and gotten to be in the room before he died. 

I missed connecting that! Oh damn, it really did mean something!

[kittyglitter]

Randall and present-day Tess's convo on her bed reminded me of Jack and Kate. "My #1 girl!"

 

Also, I am having trouble suspending my disbelief that in the time Rebecca made a phone call and grabbed a candy bar, Jack arrested, they presumably worked on him for awhile, and he died. In the reflection of the vending machine, we saw all of the medical personnel running presumably to Jack's room. I guess she was just out of it and didn't notice the commotion? 

[SimoneS]

22 hours ago, Brookside said:

I like Toby.  I know many posters don't seem to but I love how, though he's a dufus, he does try to understand Kate, support her, give her space, etc.

Toby is great and Kate is lucky to have him. Frankly, he has the patience of a saint to deal with Kate's neverending drama and emotional baggage. I just roll my eyes at the people who rag on him.

Edited February 6, 2018 by SimoneS

[Lady Calypso]

I really, really have to give props to the show for this, but I'm so glad they never actually showed Jack dying or showed his dead body. It was kind of all in the background. I think it made the moment more poignant. Most shows do go for the dramatic death scene. Here, it was relatively quiet, and I didn't NEED to see Jack going into cardiac arrest, nor did I need to see Rebecca's point of view as she saw Jack's dead body.

So, this episode had some actually good moments. 

[Dreamboat Annie]

Ugh.  Horrible episode.  I actually did see it coming with Tess.  And I tried to care but I didn't.  Any flashbacks post fire will be without Jack and I'm just not so sure I will care about these characters any more.  Deja, no thanks.

Edited February 5, 2018 by Dreamboat Annie
Correct the spelling of Deja

[catrox14]

2 minutes ago, Lady Calypso said:

I will say, the callback to Randall saying that Jack died "when nobody was looking" was kind of a gut punch, because Rebecca literally had her back turned while Jack was dying. She could have just turned around and gotten to be in the room before he died. 

That's the only part of the episode that bugged me. They would have sent a nurse to her immediately IMO

[tennisgurl]

Well, I am officially emotionally drained. I knew Jack was going to die, but I wasn't ready for it. I think what got me most was Rebecca's unbelieving reaction to his death, followed by seeing the reflection of his dead body. There is something just so horrifying about thinking that your family is alike and everyone is free and clear, only to find that you left for a moment, and everything changed in just the blink of an eye. Great performance by Mandy. And the brief glimpses of her life with Jack was just...ahhhhh. 

The big shocker was the flash forward to adult Tess and old Randall. Congrats, show. I thought you had stopped surprising me, and then you pull a fast one on me. I love that he and Tess talked and it turned out that it made a BIG impression on Tess! 

I think the other part that got me was when Kevin was talking to Jack at the tree, and he said how he had a "rough few decades" in this ridiculously tired voice. Even before his drug problems really surfaced, he was clearly depressed and filled with self loathing. Hopefully this really will be a new start for him. 

[Arcadiasw]

Show got me again. Did not see the foster boy storyline turning out the way it did. Good casting for the older Tess.

Jack killed himself going back for the dog and possessions. 

I did not think the doctor who delivered the twins was still alive when Jack died. 

I didn't expect them to splice tonight Superbowl into tonight's show. 

So was it clarified there were smoke alarms on both floors and none had working batteries? It looked like they only had one alarm and on the first floor which is insane since the house has two floors. 

[Blakeston]

11 minutes ago, jcin617 said:

That was hard.   But, our first flash forward!  

There was also a brief flash-forward, last season, to Randall packing things up after William's death.

I can see Saint Jack insisting on dropping the kids off at Miguel's before going to the hospital, but Rebecca really should have insisted that he go straight there. I'm not saying that it would necessarily have saved his life, but you shouldn't fool around with second-degree burns.

[anna0852]

I took that as Rebecca making multiple phone calls, trying to find hotel accommodations. And I don't think she would have focused on the commotion because when she left her husband he was fine. Even if in the back of her head she had associated all the activity with a patient going downhill she had no reason to think it was Jack.

[Guest]

6 minutes ago, debraran said:

They do find good actors to play the kids. I hope Kate gets that tape on DVD too, it wont last forever.

It’s in the cloud now, they said.

[Mystery]

ON the cloud, according to Kate! :-)

[DebbieM4]

9 minutes ago, Lady Calypso said:

 

I wish I felt more, but it didn't. I think they overpromoted the episode. 

I completely agree.  I think they overhype all the time.  I hate being told how I'm going to react to something.  It will be soul-crushing!  Get ready for tears!  I wish they would just get on with it rather than - as you said - "overpromote".  That has bugged me all along.    Let each episode make me feel what I feel.   Let the show - the acting, the writing - stand on its own merit.

Tonight's episode was far more meh than I had expected.  I wasn't as pulled in as I would have liked to have been, and I didn't think the big surprise re how Jack died was all that creative.

[SimoneS]

Just now, Blakeston said:

I can see Saint Jack insisting on dropping the kids off at Miguel's before going to the hospital, but Rebecca really should have insisted that he go straight there. I'm not saying that it would necessarily have saved his life, but you shouldn't fool around with second-degree burns.

Yeah, but how many people on average know this? Jack seemed fine and it wasn't like the EMT urgently insisted that he go to the hospital immediately. 

[wilnil]

4 minutes ago, kittyglitter said:

I am having trouble suspending my disbelief that in the time Rebecca made a phone call and grabbed a candy bar, Jack arrested, they presumably worked on him for awhile, and he died. In the reflection of the vending machine, we saw all of the medical personnel running presumably to Jack's room. I guess she was just out of it and didn't notice the commotion? 

 

2 minutes ago, anna0852 said:

I took that as Rebecca making multiple phone calls, trying to find hotel accommodations. And I don't think she would have focused on the commotion because when she left her husband he was fine. Even if in the back of her head she had associated all the activity with a patient going downhill she had no reason to think it was Jack.

Yeah, we heard her talking to at least one hotel, then with Miguel, and while neither call was particularly long, they weren't brief and abrupt either. I think she'd been in the hospital lounge maybe 15 minutes or so by the time the doctor came to find her.

[InsertWordHere]

Just now, wilnil said:

 

Yeah, we heard her talking to at least one hotel, then with Miguel, and while neither call was particularly long, they weren't brief and abrupt either. 

It sounded like she’d been on the phone with the hotel for a few minutes before the viewers “joined” the conversation.

[gonzosgirrl]

10 minutes ago, catrox14 said:

That's the only part of the episode that bugged me. They would have sent a nurse to her immediately IMO

I don't think so, not when he was coding and they were actively trying to save him. They would put her out of the room, not call her in. And then the doctor found her right away when it was over.

I don't think I breathed through the first few minutes, til Jack came out the door. It wasn't tear-inducing, but oh so tense, even knowing the outcome. Judging by the preview I think next week will be the emotional one for me.

ETA: I watch pretty much everything on DVR (except for this show and one on the CW), so I rarely see commercials and I don't follow the actors on SM. I think that has helped me not be bothered by the promo I do see.

Edited February 5, 2018 by gonzosgirrl