‘This Is Us’ Season 1 Theories: Have Fans Finally Discovered When Jack Died?

“This is Us” has established a reputation for surprising fans and keeping them on their toes, but it seems they may have finally cracked the code. During Season 1, episode 15, viewers tuning in to the NBC original series learned that Rebecca had been pursuing a career in music that threatened to pull her away from Jack and the kids.

Fans believe the big reveal on “This is Us” may have provided clues into Jack’s (Milo Ventimiglia) death. A number of Twitter users sounded off after the episode, speculating that Rebecca (Mandy Moore) was going to go on tour with Ben (Sam Trammell) and the band and tragedy would strike back home. The fan theory is based in timing, largely, as well as “This is Us” writers’ affinity for making viewers cry. While all the facts about Jack’s death have not yet been revealed, viewers do know that he died while the triplets were teenagers. This is fitting with the current timeline and, thus, fans believe there will be a reveal about when Jack died in Season 1, episode 16 of “This is Us” on Tuesday.

Although fans may learn when Jack died, it seems they’re going to have to wait to learn the cause of death — and Moore thinks it’s for the better. During a January interview with Entertainment Weekly she acknowledged that “This is Us” can be heartbreaking adding that she wasn’t sure that fans were ready to learn all the details of her TV-husband’s death. Moore did, however, promise that the information would come out but did not give any clues as to when.

“I’m not sure people are prepared for this,” she told EW. “I hope it at least satiates some of their need to know what, when, how, why with Jack. Obviously, that’s a question that is asked of us a lot, and I want people to be patient and almost forget about it. Yes, Jack is not alive in the present day, but other than that, he is very much alive in the show, and his spirit is here, even in present day.”

Her sentiments echoed those previously made by “This is Us” creator Dan Fogelman. While chatting with Entertainment Tonight, he promised that information about Jack’s death would eventually come out. He was clear, however, that it would be “much later” in the season. Fogelman teased more twists and turns ahead, admitting that the element of surprise was a major player in the structure of “This is Us.”

“We have a lot [of twists]. Our theme is, life will surprise you a little bit,” Fogelman said. “What’s surprising for the audience is the order in which we choose to tell this story. We know where this series is going and how we’re going to keep people on their toes.”

“This is Us” airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. EST on NBC.