This Is Us finale: The meaning of ‘Moonshadow’ title

Tonight, the This Is Us finale “Moonshadow” is slated to air on NBC, and it feels pretty apparent in looking around the internet that there are plenty of people discussion the possible events. What we know is that we’ll see the aftermath of Jack’s car ride … but also not his death. That’s something that could be revealed in season 2, but maybe not. The show’s got two more seasons still to air! There’s no rush on such a mystery.

What we want to discuss within this article, given that there are already so many others out there on the internet almost everything else related to the show, is the title of “Moonshadow.” What does it mean? Well, we believe that it’s a reference to a famed Cat Stevens song (listen below), one that could be viewed as very personal to Rebecca and possibly her relationship with Jack. That’s a little too much of a stretch to know for sure. It’s a beautiful song, and its lyrics speak to a message of reliance, and finding something even in the midst of losing much of the world around you. To Rebecca, maybe this is an expression of how she feel; Jack is a moonshadow, so what happens when she loses him?

Remember, Jack could still be alive and the moonshadow could still be gone, given that we’ve already seen already him dip back into some old habits.

One way or another, it’s fair to say that “Moonshadow” is the name of the This Is Us finale to hit at something with emotional poignancy to the story. Creator Dan Fogelman carefully chooses many of his names, and this is certainly not one that was crafted out of sheer convenience. We appreciate this given that a memorable episode title can in turn further accent the memorability of the entire story surrounding it.

We’ll see precisely what happens tonight with Jack and the rest of the This Is Us characters in the finale; for now, head over here if you want to read our premiere-date speculation and some other talk on the second season. Expect some tears tonight, but don’t necessarily expect them to come from a predictable place. This show’s M.O. is all about finding ways to surprise you.

What do you want to see on “Moonshadow” tonight, and what do you hope for when it comes to the title and the song? Share your thoughts in the comments. (Photo: NBC.)