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Don’t expect the ‘This Is Us’ post-Super Bowl episode to break from the story

By Reed Gaudens

THIS IS US -- "The Game Plan" Episode 105 -- Pictured: (l-r) Mandy Moore as Rebecca, Milo Ventimiglia as Jack -- (Photo by: Ron Batzdorff/NBC). Acquired from NBCUniversal Media Village.
THIS IS US -- "The Game Plan" Episode 105 -- Pictured: (l-r) Mandy Moore as Rebecca, Milo Ventimiglia as Jack -- (Photo by: Ron Batzdorff/NBC). Acquired from NBCUniversal Media Village. /
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When ‘This Is Us’ takes the Super Bowl in 2018, the Pearson family won’t be slowing down for a standalone episode.

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As previously announced, the Pearson family will be going to the Super Bowl in 2018 as This Is Us landed the coveted post-big game timeslot. For NBC, it’s a no brainer to schedule their buzziest critical hit after the single biggest television event of the year. But will the writers be planning a special one-off episode fit to appease new fans unfamiliar with the narrative? Survey says: Nope!

NBC Chairman Robert Greenblatt shared Dan Fogelman’s plans for next year’s post-Super Bowl episode with TV Line, and it seems we’re going to want to set our DVRs. Even though the creative team won’t be crafting a standalone episode fit to recruit new fans, the hour won’t be entirely alienating either. Still, Fogelman appears to be taking advantage of the highly rated timeslot with one of those twists that have become characteristic of This Is Us. Greenblatt tells TV Line, “I think he really wants to pay off things for the [existing] fans.” What could Fogelman and co. have up their sleeves?

We can count out any football tie-ins, unless the Steelers once again arise as an integral factor in the Pearson family timeline around February. However, that synchronization seems doubtful at best. We can also count out any bottle episodes which focus on one or two characters separated from the world of the series. Meaning, we’re not getting another “The Big Day” after the Super Bowl.

Rather, the This Is Us team will be building a memorable episode for the masses. We’re talking “The Best Washing Machine in the Whole World,” an episode that introduced another shade of emotion into the series and also notably featured a Friday Night Lights-esque teenaged Kevin and Randall. Consider this: By February 2018, Season 2 will be in its second half, gearing up for that grand finale. Let’s hope for a touchdown.

Next: What we hope to see in the 'This Is Us' post-Super Bowl episode

Whatever the This Is Us cast and crew cook up for fans in their post-Super Bowl episode, it’s sure to be a crowd pleaser, a jaw-dropper, and a tear-jerker. Surely, the only thing on the Pearson family’s mind is whether their team will make it to the big game. But we’re too busy emotionally preparing for the bombs to be dropped in Season 2 to stress over football.

What do you hope to see in the post-Super Bowl episode? Let us know in the comments, and keep the conversation going on Twitter over at @thisisuscrying!

This Is Us returns for Season 2 on Tuesday, September 26 at 9/8c on NBC. Super Bowl LII airs on Sunday, February 4, 2018 on NBC.

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