My impression was that Kevin said something to the effect of, "You can't just sit there in your car outside the house..." I took it to mean their family home which we are led to believe burned down. This would have been the last place Kate saw her father.

@clunybrown2017 said:

My impression was that Kevin said something to the effect of, "You can't just sit there in your car outside the house..." I took it to mean their family home which we are led to believe burned down. This would have been the last place Kate saw her father.

I rewatched the scene ... Kevin says:

"Where are you at? You still sitting in your car, staring at where the house used to be? He's gone, ok and he's not coming back. Even if you sit there in the exact same spot that you were when he left, he's not coming back"

Surely "when he left" doesnt mean "when he died" right? I mean that would be some really f'd up stuff to deal with if they mean Kate was sitting there watching her dad die. Not that she could have done anything to stop it - just a grotesque spin to put on the story if true.

I'm thinking Jack left /separated from the family prior to his death and that path of separation led to his death, not the house fire.

I love the way these writers skillfully give us little bits and pieces and then leave it to us to put it together, if we can, before the final reveal. I was also thinking that Jack left, was separated from his family, and that this was due to his drinking, but then they brought in the burned house and now I think it had something to do with that. If it's any consolation, I don't think Kate actually saw her dad die (that would be horrific) but she obviously carries some very heavy guilt.

We're starting to see more and more how Jack treated her like a little princess (I'm not saying this in a bad way; it's really very sweet), but It appears he would do anything for her (as I'm sure he would have for Randall and Kevin). A pattern seems to be emerging. Again, the writers throw us bits and piece (usually, non-chronological) and it's up to us to consider if it's an important clue or a red herring. I can think of one that intrigues me and that is the appearance of the little dog... shown twice, maybe more. I have a theory. Anyone want to throw out theories on how Jack died?

@clunybrown2017 said:

I love the way these writers skillfully give us little bits and pieces and then leave it to us to put it together, if we can, before the final reveal. I was also thinking that Jack left, was separated from his family, and that this was due to his drinking, but then they brought in the burned house and now I think it had something to do with that. If it's any consolation, I don't think Kate actually saw her dad die (that would be horrific) but she obviously carries some very heavy guilt.

We're starting to see more and more how Jack treated her like a little princess (I'm not saying this in a bad way; it's really very sweet), but It appears he would do anything for her (as I'm sure he would have for Randall and Kevin). A pattern seems to be emerging. Again, the writers throw us bits and piece (usually, non-chronological) and it's up to us to consider if it's an important clue or a red herring. I can think of one that intrigues me and that is the appearance of the little dog... shown twice, maybe more. I have a theory. Anyone want to throw out theories on how Jack died?

The fuse had blown, and Kate had a big ol' candle on the coffee table; looked like it was next to a centerpiece. Rebecca did move the lit candle--at least I didn't see her extinguish it. Jack was fixing the blown fuse. Makes me wonder if Kate's candle caused this, and Jack was trapped---or, maybe they got him out, but he passed due to smoke inhalation....It seemed to happen after Kevin got his cast on...Candle could still be lit while they are at the hospital...maybe house caught fire as they were getting home, Jack runs in to get the dog and never makes it out? I really thought I was over trying to figure out how Jack died, but it's happening again, LOL!!!!!!

@autumnsquirrel said:

@clunybrown2017 said:

I love the way these writers skillfully give us little bits and pieces and then leave it to us to put it together, if we can, before the final reveal. I was also thinking that Jack left, was separated from his family, and that this was due to his drinking, but then they brought in the burned house and now I think it had something to do with that. If it's any consolation, I don't think Kate actually saw her dad die (that would be horrific) but she obviously carries some very heavy guilt.

We're starting to see more and more how Jack treated her like a little princess (I'm not saying this in a bad way; it's really very sweet), but It appears he would do anything for her (as I'm sure he would have for Randall and Kevin). A pattern seems to be emerging. Again, the writers throw us bits and piece (usually, non-chronological) and it's up to us to consider if it's an important clue or a red herring. I can think of one that intrigues me and that is the appearance of the little dog... shown twice, maybe more. I have a theory. Anyone want to throw out theories on how Jack died?

The fuse had blown, and Kate had a big ol' candle on the coffee table; looked like it was next to a centerpiece. Rebecca did move the lit candle--at least I didn't see her extinguish it. Jack was fixing the blown fuse. Makes me wonder if Kate's candle caused this, and Jack was trapped---or, maybe they got him out, but he passed due to smoke inhalation....It seemed to happen after Kevin got his cast on...Candle could still be lit while they are at the hospital...maybe house caught fire as they were getting home, Jack runs in to get the dog and never makes it out? I really thought I was over trying to figure out how Jack died, but it's happening again, LOL!!!!!!

I really like your theories! Especially the one about the dog. I think showing the little guy has some significance and it would be especially poignant if he died saving the family pet. Because that's the kind of man Jack was.

All the clues are lining up... the fuse, the candle, Kevin's cast. While I like the theory of the little dog (and I'm not ready to give it up), somehow I think that's a red herring. We do know that Kate carries a tremendous amount of guilt over her father's death, so it could be that Jack went in after the dog. (In an earlier episode, we do see Kate and Randall sitting on a sofa after the fire (probably at a neighbor's house) and the little dog is safely on her lap.) Or, could she have mistakenly told her dad that she thought Kevin was still in the house (in his cast) and Jack ran in to save him? Of course, knowing athletic Kevin, I don't think a cast is going to hamper his getting out of the house somehow.

@clunybrown2017 said:

All the clues are lining up... the fuse, the candle, Kevin's cast. While I like the theory of the little dog (and I'm not ready to give it up), somehow I think that's a red herring. We do know that Kate carries a tremendous amount of guilt over her father's death, so it could be that Jack went in after the dog. (In an earlier episode, we do see Kate and Randall sitting on a sofa after the fire (probably at a neighbor's house) and the little dog is safely on her lap.) Or, could she have mistakenly told her dad that she thought Kevin was still in the house (in his cast) and Jack ran in to save him? Of course, knowing athletic Kevin, I don't think a cast is going to hamper his getting out of the house somehow.

Maybe Kevin snuck out to see his GF and Jack thought he was still in the house? Maybe thought he was trapped in the basement, so he ran back in?

@joshgallet said:

@clunybrown2017 said:

All the clues are lining up... the fuse, the candle, Kevin's cast. While I like the theory of the little dog (and I'm not ready to give it up), somehow I think that's a red herring. We do know that Kate carries a tremendous amount of guilt over her father's death, so it could be that Jack went in after the dog. (In an earlier episode, we do see Kate and Randall sitting on a sofa after the fire (probably at a neighbor's house) and the little dog is safely on her lap.) Or, could she have mistakenly told her dad that she thought Kevin was still in the house (in his cast) and Jack ran in to save him? Of course, knowing athletic Kevin, I don't think a cast is going to hamper his getting out of the house somehow.

Maybe Kevin snuck out to see his GF and Jack thought he was still in the house? Maybe thought he was trapped in the basement, so he ran back in?

Could be...