This Is Us closed out Season 2 with some teases of what's to come for each character down the road, and fans have been wracking their brains ever since trying to figure out what's going on with Randall's flash-forward and how it plays into the show's future. Dan Fogelman has likely seen the fans' non-stop theorizing and has now stepped in to say viewers won't have to wait too long to see what's going on with that mysterious storyline. In his words:
The future storyline is not going to play a big part in the season, but it's a framing device until we get the answers. We're not going to bring it all the way to the end of the season. I think it will be answered much sooner than that, like the midway section.
This Is Us fans might've assumed the Kate and Kevin-centric flash-forwards would be addressed pretty early on in Season 3, but Dan Fogelman is certainly sending mixed signals in regards to that future scene with Tess and Randall. Sterling K. Brown and others have indicated that particular beat plays into the show's endgame, which may be what Fogelman is referring to when he called it a "framing device." Perhaps different elements from that scene will be shown until it all comes together down the line.
Dan Fogelman did say some answers are coming mid-season, but then also said that reveal is not going to play a big part in the season. Really, all I want to know is if we're going to learn in Season 3 who the "her" is that Tess and Randall were referring to this season, and Fogelman's cryptic response leaves us still guessing. In either case, fans should be relieved that at least some answers on that mystery will come before the season finale of This Is Us Season 3, and possibly before the midseason finale.
Dan Fogelman also assured Variety that fans have more to look forward to than flash-foward answers, as he shared Mandy Moore's enthusiasm that Season 3 is the most ambitious season the show has done to date. Fogelman teased the premiere episode will feature Jack and Rebecca's first date, and that the season as a whole will do a deep dive into their lives prior to meeting each other. This includes Jack's time in Vietnam, which Fogelman co-crafted with award-winning author Tim O'Brien. Fogelman also noted that The Big Three will, of course, continue to have those relatable stories viewers love so much and that he's more excited for this coming season than the past two.
This Is Us returns to NBC for Season 3 this fall on Tuesdays at 9:00 p.m. ET. For a look at what else is coming to television in the near future, visit our summer premiere guide. After that, This Is Us fans should check out why we think Milo Ventimiglia deserves this year's Emmy for Best Actor over co-star Sterling K. Brown.
