This Is Us recap: 5 things you might have missed in the Season 1 finale

Have you forgotten the smaller moments of This Is Us? Let’s rewind to Season 1, Episode 18 and recap five things you might have missed.

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Going into the highly anticipated season finale of This Is Us last spring, fans were eager to learn the answer to one question and one question only: How does Jack die? It’s an admittedly morbid line of questioning for an audience, but we need and want the truth. Unfortunately, “Moonshadow” took a step back to dissect the problems in Jack and Rebecca’s marriage.

In another bottle episode, This Is Us trains its focus exclusively on Jack and Rebecca in their tense late-’90s present and their pre-marriage past. Both periods of time were full of strife for the future family, but in one fateful moment, the pair meets and all of their problems are solved forever. That is, until life hands them a few more speed bumps along the away. Prior to their meet cute, Jack and Rebecca were off on other dates and fighting to make something of themselves. But in the ’90s, they can’t seem to see eye-to-eye. Do you remember the drag-out fight between the Pearson parents and Jack’s sweet morning-after monologue? Let’s rewind and revisit five things you might have missed in Season 1, Episode 18.

1. Mandy Moore has sang “Moonshadow” before.

Let’s ease into the season finale rather than diving headfirst into the drama. Toward the end of the episode, Rebecca sings a cover of the song “Moonshadow” during the moment she first lays eyes on Jack. Coincidentally, that wasn’t the first time Mandy Moore sang “Moonshadow.” Moore’s 2003 cover album, aptly titled Coverage, featured the song, which she performed all those years ago. The world works in mysterious ways, doesn’t it?

2. Jack and Rebecca are set up on blind dates.

While working on Mrs. Peabody’s car to make some quick cash, Jack gets set up on a blind date. Meanwhile, Rebecca’s friends push her to ditch her singing aspirations and “diversify” her life. Translation: Find a man. (*rolls eyes*) Jack never goes on his date (he was too busy plotting a heist), but Rebecca does, and it’s a stinker. She leaves her date to perform at an open mic night and happens to meet Jack. No heists, no bad dates, just the meet cute that started it all.

Photo Credit: This Is Us/NBC, Acquired From NBCUniversal Media Village /

3. Jack punches Ben.

Let’s all admit something right here and right now: Drunk Jack is a bummer. Jack arrives at Rebecca’s concert and starts pounding drinks. Of course, he tries to find Rebecca but bumps into Ben instead. Words are exchanged and punches are thrown. If Jack was trying to be supportive of Rebecca’s goals, he sure has a funny way of showing it. Rebecca leaves the tour to take Jack home, but the pair have choice words for each other in a fight that’s been brewing for probably years.

4. An update on the Big Three.

The Big Three don’t appear in the season finale of This Is Us as much as you would expect. But during Jack’s monologue, in which he says the children will be okay, the Big Three announce major life changes. Kate moves in with Toby and decides to pursue music as a career. Kevin takes the Ron Howard movie and leaves Sophie in New York. Randall wants to honor all of his parents by adopting a baby. It’s the perfect trio of curveballs to lead into Season 2.

Next: This Is Us rewind recap: 5 things you might have missed in season 1, episode 17

5. The fight.

You know the fight. It hurts every time you watch it because of all the couples in the world, on TV or otherwise, Jack and Rebecca Pearson just shouldn’t be screaming at each other. Nope, it does not compute. But that doesn’t it mean it doesn’t happen. Rebecca rightfully feels stifled and Jack feels forgotten. At this impasse, they appear to be growing in different directions, leading them to opt for a breather. Before leaving to stay with Miguel, Jack proves why he loves Rebecca. Yes, we’re crying the closing shot of Jack walking out and Rebecca holding her moon necklace.

What were your favorite moments from “Moonshadow”? Let us know in the comments, and keep the conversation going on Twitter!

This Is Us returns for Season 2 on Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 9/8c on NBC. Season 1 is currently available to stream online.

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This Is Us rewind recap: 5 things you might have missed in the season 1 finale

By Reed Gaudens | Sep 23, 2017