Post — Aaron Ngo

Major Spoilers are included in this episode review. Read with Caution.

Jack Pearson is a real superhero. The show has always portrayed him like Super Dad in the eyes of his children, but this centric episode starts to show him in a different light. We learn more about his family life, get introduced to his younger brother Nicky, and his father is also seen differently by episode’s end. At least the episode tried to steer us in that direction.

The episode opens us to Vietnam and Jack’s time in the war. He is a Sergeant and leading a group of men. The war itself is not really explored, which is fine. The episode largely focuses on Jack and his connection to his men. When his friend loses a foot, it throws Jack into a sense of vulnerability comforting him and making sure he made it through.

This all happened in the first 8 to 10 minutes of the episode. I was weak and cried on the spot. When his friend hugged his dismembered foot, I lose it. I was tapped out, but there was roughly 30 minutes left so I cupped my own face with both hands and breathed. That’s right! Jack learned that trick from his friend, which was passed down to Randall.

This show is too much! Tears!

Afterwards, we jump backwards in time: 14 months before Jack’s time in Vietnam.

He is living with his parents, and Nicky is already at the war. Jack’s mother is also getting abused, but the mail carrier simply smiles and moves on to the next house. She receives a letter from Nicky, which prompts Jack to enlist in the army.

However, Jack has a heart problem which prevents him from enlisting!

PAUSE AND BREAK OUT THE WINE!

Jack Pearson has a known heart condition. Flashes back to house fire in which he died. He willingly went back into that house knowing his flaw and saved his family PLUS the dog. The irony of his big heart when it’s physically flawed. Wow someone hand him a medal! He might be a real superhero!

We love you so much, Jack. Rest in Peace.

His doctor advises him on how to fake the tests so the soldiers won’t catch his heart defect. Jack wants to protect his little brother, willing to risk his own precious life to make sure he’s okay. This is borderline Sam-Dean from Supernatural vibes.

October 18. The day Nicky was born at 11:58pm. He was only a few minutes short of making it over to October 19, which is Jack’s Grandfather’s birthday. Meeting Jack’s grandfather was so sad but enlightening on how alcoholism is a genetic disease:

Grandfather - Jack’s Father - Jack - Kevin.

The flashback to Nicky’s birth also sheds a good light on Jack’s Father, the abusive douchebag who wasn’t always the abusive douchebag. He was kind to Jack at one point and made cute small talk about Nicky’s pending arrival. The irony continues when Jack’s Father makes Jack swear he’ll always protect his little brother—including from himself.

The episode ends with Jack meeting Nicky out in Vietnam. The expression on Nicky’s face is hard to read. Is he happy? Sad? Confused? All of the above? Are we even getting answers about this in next week’s episode?

As I’m writing this, I noticed the females didn’t get much of a spotlight. I pray Jack’s mom comes out okay somehow. I don’t even know if she’s alive in the present. The show hasn’t talked about her much or I overlooked something.

Overall, a strong episode with a lot of character development for Jack Pearson.

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