‘This Is Us’: Milo Ventimiglia Helped With a Crucial Decision About Jack in ‘The Train’

The penultimate episode of This Is Us, “The Train,” was an emotional hour. Fans gathered with the Pearsons to say goodbye to Rebecca (Mandy Moore). Several important characters from This Is Us lore show up in the “The Train,” including Jack Pearson. As showrunner Dan Fogelman revealed, Milo Ventimiglia did more than reprise his role in the episode — he helped make an important decision about the Pearson’s patriarch in “The Train.” 

[SPOILER ALERT: This article contains spoilers from This Is Us Season 6 Episode 17, “The Train.”]

‘The Train’ takes Rebecca on a journey back through her life 

In the May 17 episode of This Is Us, the Pearson family gather around Rebecca. This story parallels with Rebecca’s final hours.

As each character spends a few moments with her, a younger version of Rebecca finds herself on a train. This is a nod to the “Caboose” episode earlier this season that showed Rebecca’s memory worsening. 

Throughout the episode, Rebecca is guided through the various cars of the train by William (Ron Cephas Jones). Along the way, Rebecca runs into younger versions of her children and other major This Is Us characters like Dr. K (Gerald McRaney), who makes literal lemonade out of lemons, and Miguel (Jon Huertas). In the end, Rebecca reaches the caboose to “rest” with none other than her first husband and true love, Jack. 

Milo Ventimiglia chose ‘mustache Jack’ for ‘The Train’ episode of ‘This Is Us’ 

Throughout This Is Us, we’ve seen several eras of Jack Pearson, each distinguishable by his facial hair. From a clean-shaven face to a full beard, how did showrunners decide which version would greet Rebecca at the end of her life? During an interview with Deadline, Fogelman explained the creative process behind choosing which version of Jack would appear in “The Train.” 

“I went to Milo early on [and explained the episode concept],” Fogelman began. “What is your facial hair going to look like, do you think?” 

There was only one option in Ventimiglia’s mind. “He was like, ‘I think it’s mustache Jack,'” Fogelman recalled. “I was like, ‘I think it’s mustache Jack, too.'” 

Fogelman did the same with Moore, who thought the younger version of Rebecca would be ideal for this episode. “Part of that was if I made Mandy do age makeup another time she was going to kill me,” Fogelman joked. In reality, these versions of Jack and Rebecca brought fans back to the beginning of the series, bringing the show full circle just before the series finale next week. 

‘This Is Us’ series finale airs on May 24

On May 24, This Is Us will conclude with the series finale described: “The Big Three come to new understandings about life.” Judging by the teaser for the last episode ever, there will be even more nods to treasured moments from the NBC series. 

We’ll also get to see Rebecca’s funeral — Kevin (Justin Hartley) and Sophie (Alexandra Breckenridge) are wearing all black in the teaser. What’s more, if this show has taught us anything, there will be plenty of heart-wrenching moments that bring the Pearson’s story full circle. 

Watch the series finale of This Is Us on NBC on May 24, beginning at 9 p.m. ET.