Creator Dan Fogelman explains that confusing This Is Us final scene. After six years, the Pearsons have wrapped up their story in the NBC family drama. Rebecca bookends the show as she is reunited with Jack in the afterlife while the Big Three continue their individual and collective lives.
This Is Us was a major hit for NBC, maintaining its good ratings until the end of its run. So, it was surprising when it was announced that the show would end after only six seasons. Given its non-linear storytelling, the series could have continued for far longer. Even without that, the generational story could have continued with the Big Three, their children, and their grandchildren. But Dan Fogelman always knew that he had a complete story and he wanted to cap off the show as initially planned — with some kind of epilogue. But while that makes sense, This Is Us' final shot of a flashback sequence featuring young Randall and Jack is a bit confusing.
Speaking with Variety, Fogelman reveals the reason why he chose that particular frame for This Is Us' parting shot. According to the show creator, he wanted to draw a parallel between Randall finding out that he's going to have a grandson through Deja and his younger self looking at Jack. Read his full comment below:
I knew I wanted to end on the sentiment of children looking at their parents, locking in on something they’re going to carry forward into their lives. Ultimately, as Randall finds out he’s having a grandson, it was that little Randall taking in his father and taking in his family, that was always going to be the shot that we ended it on.
As poignant as the final shot of This Is Us was, it seemed like an odd choice to wrap up the series with it. Season 6 was all about Rebecca and her impact on her family as the show tackled her Alzheimer's and eventual death. While the This Is Us finale functioned mainly as an epilogue, it's peculiar that viewers' last look at the Pearsons was of Jack. If anything, it could have been a shot of Rebecca as she finally enters the afterlife with her first husband. Otherwise, it could have been a group shot of the whole Pearson family. Perhaps even a simple one with Jack and Rebecca as they look at their young kids. Fogelman's explanation does make sense, and it's a great scene, nonetheless; simple but effective. That being said, it doesn't really encapsulate the fact that This Is Us is about the Pearsons as a family.
For what it's worth, Fogelman's choice of the final shot of the show may have also been interpreted as a way to set up a potential spin-off for Randall. The This Is Us finale suggested that Number Three could eventually be the president of the United States. This would be a great way to continue the Pearsons' story as Randall potentially becomes the leader of the free world. As exciting as this would be for fans of the family drama, it's worth noting that there are currently no plans for any kind of offshoot for This Is Us thus far.
Source: Variety