‘This Is Us’ Season 6 Episode 17, ‘The Train,’ Could Show Rebecca’s Afterlife

'This Is Us' Season 6 Episode 17, 'The Train,' will likely call back to when Rebecca couldn't remember the word 'caboose.' Here's why fans think we'll also see her afterlife.

by Lauren Weiler

Published on May 10, 2022

3 min read

Rebecca Pearson struggled to remember the word for ‘caboose’ in the past

Rebecca Pearson looking startled in 'This Is Us' Season 6 Episode 17

Mandy Moore as Rebecca | Ron Batzdorff/NBC

This Is Us Season 6 Episode 17 is titled “The Train.” It’s likely a callback to an earlier episode when Rebecca felt her failing memory. TVLine reminds us of the season 6 premiere. Rebecca had a memory of riding the train with her father as a little girl. She remembers walking up the length of the train, but she’s bothered when she can’t remember the word for “caboose.”

Rebecca becomes so bothered by the fact that she can’t remember the name for “caboose” that she yells about it during a family party where the Big Three are present. She then lets everyone know about the plaque in her brain that’s progressing.

By the end of the episode, Rebecca finally remembers the word for “caboose.” She repeats it to herself while with Miguel at night. while she’s relieved she remembers the word, it upsets her it took her this long to remember.

‘This Is Us’ Season 6 Episode 17 could show her afterlife with her father, Jack, and Miguel

Jack and Rebecca with the Big Three in 'This Is Us.' Jack may reappear in the 'This Is Us' Season 6 finale.

Milo Ventimiglia as Jack, Kaz Womack as Kevin, Isabella Rose Landau as Kate, Ca’Ron Jaden Coleman as Randall, and Mandy Moore as Rebecca | Ron Batzdorff/NBC

Because This Is Us Season 6 Episode 17 is titled “The Train,” many fans suspect Rebecca will die and see her father again on that train in the afterlife. Miguel’s recent death might also mean he returns in an afterlife scenario as well. Additionally, Jack actor Milo Ventimiglia was filming scenes for the end of the season, so fans anticipate seeing him again.

“I think it’s going to tie in her earliest memories of taking the train to NYC with her dad, along with a maybe a montage of various memories from her earliest years as she passes away,” a fan on Reddit wrote. “Maybe the train will also serve as a way of reuniting her with her parents and Jack/Miguel in the afterlife (should they choose to go in that direction)?”

“I think it’ll be flashbacks of Rebecca on the train and possibly a train ride of her after passing, seeing all of the memories she looks back on,” another Reddit user wrote.

“Randall talked about the stops along the way in his speech at the wedding,” another fan mentioned. “I think we will see some important stops along the way in flashbacks as Rebecca experiences her final days or hours. She enjoyed the train rides with her father when she was younger.”

Mandy Moore confirmed the penultimate episode made her throw up

Rebecca blowing on the nails of a young Kate in 'This Is Us' Season 6 Episode 16

Isabella Rose Landau as Kate, Mandy Moore as Rebecca | Ron Batzdorff/NBC

Whatever happens in This Is Us Season 6 Episode 17 will surely devastate fans. Show creator Dan Fogelman said the second-to-last script caused Mandy Moore to vomit after reading it.

“The second to last script, I sent it to the cast, making Mandy throw up,” he said, according to NBC Insider.

“It was beautiful [throw-up],” she added. “It was so beautiful and upsetting that that was my physical reaction.”

What could possibly give Moore such a strong reaction? Rebecca’s death, most likely. But fans will have to wait and see what else happens in “The Train.”

This Is Us Season 6 airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. EST on NBC.