The flash-forwards on ‘This Is Us’ are some of the most crucial scenes of the show. The series has already revealed a number of major developments about what happens in the future. Here’s what we know so far.
This Is Us season 5 is in full swing. The Pearsons continue to welcome us into their homes each and every week with more stories to tell. One of the major elements of This Is Us is the use of flash-forwards. The writers use flash-forwards to reveal what’s happened in the future and make us question how the characters got there.
The main flash-forward is key to how This Is Us likely ends. As season 5 continues, it’s important to remember what’s happened in the flash-forwards that we’ve seen so far. Each reveal means more questions, but all of our questions will be answered by the time the show ends with season 6!
Annie & Deja are alive and well
Up until the Feb. 23 episode, Annie and Deja had not been seen in any of the flash-forwards. Their absences caused theories to run rampant. While Tess is very much present in the future, Annie and Deja’s fates were left up in the air — until now.
At the end of the Feb. 23 episode, a new flash-forward reveals that adult Deja (La Trice Harper) is pregnant. Annie (Iyana Halley), who is also all grown up now, drives Deja to Kevin’s house to meet up with the rest of the family as they say goodbye to Rebecca. At the moment, Annie seems to be the only person who knows that Deja is expecting. Deja is also a medical intern in the future. And there’s still no sign of Kate.
Rebecca is dying
In one major flash-forward scene, an elderly Rebecca is lying in bed as the family comes to say what appears to be their goodbyes. She seems to be near death. When Randall walks into the room to see Rebecca, he has to say, “It’s Randall. Your son, Randall.” Earlier in season 4, Rebecca learned that she had a “mild cognitive impairment” and an MRI confirmed that she was showing the first symptoms of Alzheimer’s.
Nicky is by Rebecca’s side
Nicky Pearson will be finding his way back to the rest of the family at some point in the future. When Kevin and Randall go to Rebecca’s room, Nicky is by her bedside. Randall says hello to him, and Nicky hugs Kevin when he walks in. Nicky is married in the flash-forward, but we don’t know who he’s married to. He leaves the room to give Randall and Kevin time alone with Rebecca. Nicky and Rebecca are not super close in the present day, which means Nicky and Rebecca do get to know each other more as the years go by.
Kate is still missing
There have been major glimpses into the future with the flash-forwards, but Kate has not been seen in any of them. Toby tells Randall at Kevin’s house, “I talked to Jack, and they’re on their way.” Toby doesn’t specify who is with Jack. It could be Kate, but the show could be pulling a major twist on us. When Randall initially calls Toby to come to the house, Toby is initially hesitant. Randall says, “She wants you to be there.”
Randall and Beth are still married
Randall and Beth are still going strong in the future. When Randall and Beth greet each other when Randall gets to Kevin’s house, Beth’s wedding ring is shown.
Kevin has twins
Initially, fans thought Kevin only had a son. In an early season 4 flash-forward, Kevin’s son is walking around his dad’s house as the family arrives. In the season 4 finale, fans learned that Kevin has twins. As Madison tells him in the present day, Kevin’s daughter in the flash-forward follows her twin brother into Rebecca’s room to hug her dad.
Kate and Toby’s relationship is uncertain
Toby shows up solo at Kevin’s house, and he’s also not wearing his wedding ring. “I’m glad you decided to come,” Randall tells Toby. Randall and Toby’s conversations in the flash-forward have fans thinking that Kate and Toby might be divorced in the future.