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As many This Is Us fans know, watching the NBC drama is like a treasure hunt. Every moment in every episode is intentional and ties to the Pearsons’ story in some way. Then in This Is Us Season 5, a new Nicky (Michael Angarano) scene seemingly called back to a major Rebecca (Mandy Moore) and Jack (Milo Ventimiglia) moment from season 3. 

Rebecca asks Jack to drive to California together in ‘This Is Us’ Season 3

In This Is Us Season 3 Episode 3, titled “Katie Girls,” Jack and Rebecca just started to date. But when Rebecca’s ex-boyfriend swooped back into her life, she considered moving to New York. That said, she had her heart set on LA.

Nevertheless, Rebecca had a “feeling” about Jack. So, despite knowing him for about four hours, Rebecca tracked him down. Then Rebecca asked Jack to go on a road trip to California. 

At first, Jack seemed stunned. But he accepted the offer immediately. “Yeah, let’s go to LA,” Jack said calmly.

Meanwhile, Jack and Rebecca drove down to LA in This Is Us Season 3 Episode 7, titled “Sometimes.” Throughout the episode, fans watched the couple as they really got to know each other for the first time. Viewers also learned about Jack and Nicky’s time in Vietnam.

Jack tells Nicky to drive to California with Sally in ‘This Is Us’ Season 5

This Is Us Season 5 Episode 11, titled “One Small Step,” might have given a subtle nod to the Jack and Rebecca moment in season 3. The March 23 episode told the love story between Nicky and Sally (Genevieve Angelson). 

At the start of the episode, Jack was the one to push Nicky and Sally to get together. Then one day, Sally asked Nicky to run away to California together. He initially accepted. But eventually, Nicky began to psych himself out. Luckily, Jack was there to calm his brother’s fears.

“A girl like that, if she asks me to California, I’m gone in a heartbeat,” Jack told Nicky.

In the end, Nicky didn’t make it to California with Sally. But even so, Jack made the leap with Rebecca a few years later, and Uncle Nicky (Griffin Dunne) flew to the West Coast when Kevin (Justin Hartley) had his twins in the present day.

‘This Is Us’ Season 5 writer opens up about Jack, Nicky, and Rebecca

Milo Ventimiglia as young Jack Pearson looking up at someone in ‘This Is Us’ Season 5 Episode 11
Milo Ventimiglia as Jack Pearson in ‘This Is Us’ Season 5 | NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
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Following This Is Us Season 5 Episode 11, writer and story editor Laura Kenar opened up about “One Small Step” in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. Then Kenar suggested that Nicky’s inaction with Sally caused Jack to act with Rebecca.

“I’m sure there were echoes in Jack’s head when Rebecca asked him go to California and he decided to jump at the opportunity,” Kenar said.

The writer also shared what the two This Is Us scenes revealed about Nicky and Jack.

“It was a very clear example of Jack takes action and Nicky doesn’t,” Kenar said. “They are two brothers who just come at life in two different ways.”

This Is Us Season 5 airs Tuesday nights on NBC.

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