@basket,Kate being moody is surprising? That makes me giggle. I was a moody teenager. My D was a moody teenager. I have known lots of moody teenagers (although none quite like Diane on Blackish!).
I didnāt say I was surprised - I said it made her not likeable! Iām mostly just pointing out that itās interesting to me that Iām so much more attached to the characters at the younger and adult stage.
I know someone whose view is the purpose of the teen years is so parents wonāt be sad when their kids move out after high school. 
It seems very real to me, especially since she still battles with self-image issues in adulthood. It may not make her character especially likable, but I think it fits for her.
@tx5athome thanks for that link about the fire- one question remember when Kevin makes a frantic visit to Randall because he has to tell him something urgent- related I believe to the night jack died. But, Randall announces they are fostering - Kevin is silent.
How does that play into theory proposed in your link, which is very plausible ?
Geez, Iām not sure I can even watch. Too awful and sad. I canāt believe how much I care about these pretend people.
That theory in the linked article is interesting but how does it explain the plotline of Kate constantly blaming herself?
I think its predicated on the idea that Kate is the only one who knows that Jack died looking for Kevin. Not clear how should would know that and no one else would be its plausible (nothing we know now makes it impossible). And she believes that Kevin is at such a fragile part of his life (with the knee injury ruining football dreams, Sophie doing to NYU and he going to community college and also the fight he had with Jack before he left (though I am not sure if Kate knew about that fight)) that knowing his dad died looking for him would push Kevin over the edge. Thus Kate comes up with the ādad died looking for the dogā story to protect Kevin. And she says Kevin needs to hear the news from Kate because she think she needs to set the narrative. And then she keeps the story going because she doesnāt want to hurt Kevin. There is even a parallel to Rebecca knowing William and not telling Randall (which could me at some point, assuming the premise of the linked article is true, Kevin finding out and the fallout that results from that).
^ love that explanation -
If Kate made up the dog story, then why would she be having such a hard time getting another dog? Kate truly thinks it is her fault and it must have to do with the dog. What if the twist is that Kate thinks it was about the dog but it was actually another reason (like looking for Kevin)?
Theory could also explain why Kate ended up going back to get the dog from the shelter in the present. The emotional block she has with dogs isnāt real and thus she doesnāt really need to let it get in the way of Tobyās love of dogs. And she can always tell her family that at some point you need to move forward while continuing to protect Kevin from the truth about how Jack died.
If you look at the kids at Miguelās house crying presumably after the news of Jackās death and Kate driving in the car with Jackās possessions on the seat next to her, there is no evidence that can be seen of anyone being in a fire. First sign of the fire was Kate pulling up to the house wearing the Steelers jersey and seeing the burn out house in the background. Would seem to me to indicate that Jack did not die at the scene. Maybe he was taken to the hospital and died there.
Lots of theories and who knows what is true. May be the most anticipated Super Bowl at my house in at least 20 years (4th quarter anyway just to make sure I donāt miss the next episode).
Kate has also told people like Toby it was her fault when she has no reason to lie to Toby to save Kevinās feelings when sheās not around. The way the story has been spun is that Kate honestly believes in her heart, in her mind that her fatherās death is her fault.
Like some others here, I keep coming back to Rebecca driving up to the burned down house with the personal items in the ziploc bag. No signs of scorching there.
If the āWhat happened to Jack?ā storyline is unfolded in a way that doesnāt mesh with these things, Iām going to be disappointed.
Assuming the theory is true, I think there is a reason not to tell Toby. Explaining how her father died (assuming it was resulting from the fire and his looking for Kevin) would lead Toby to ask how he died (did he not get out of the house, was it smoke inhalation, etc). If she had been going with the ādad died looking for my dogā and no one else but Kate knew the truth), I donāt think she would necessarily want to tell Toby the truth. At least not at this point.
The personal items in the Ziploc bag is still a mystery to me. From previews of the next episode (and seeing the totally burned out frame in the season premier), the fire appears to be huge. Jack is seen opening doors only to be faced with walls of flames. Is the notebook something he would grab in that circumstance? And if he spends time in the burning house getting his family out (and possibly looking for Kevin in the basement), how can there be no signs of fire, scorching, etc on his ring and watch?
Was anyone else irritated by the fact that Sophie got her early acceptance to NYU around Super Bowl time?
No because who knows what NYU was doing back then re: admissions. At least I donāt.
^ That hit me too. What acceptances came in Jan?
I was more bothered by nobody needing a jacket and green leaves on the trees in Pittsburgh in Jan. Itās something Iāve noticed in alot of TV series that take place in 4 season locales but are filmed in CA.
Yes, a sunny Super Bowl Sunday in Philly bothered me.
Remember back when some of you were not happy with the start of this season because it wasnāt as ādramaticā as the end of the first season??? Look at us now!!! 
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Yes, a sunny Super Bowl Sunday in Philly bothered me.<<
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Iām still so confused by the geography.
Young Rebecca and Jack and kids= Pittsburgh
Current day Kate/Toby = California
Current Day Beth/Randall = NJ or NYC burbs?
Current Day Rebecca/Miguel = ???
Pre-death William = Philadelphia
Younger William = Pittsburgh
Kevin = CA? Pittsburgh? NJ?
Current day Beth/Randall are in New Jersey. Iāve seen the license plate. Also, Deja, the foster daughter, was from Newark. The foster family has to live in the same state as the foster child. My guess is that they live in Short Hills or South Orange. Or maybe someplace in Bergen County.
I think current day Rebecca/Miguel still live in Pittsburgh.
Kevin lives in California, but is currently staying with Rebecca and Miguel while he makes amends.