Warning: This article contains spoilers for This Is Us Season 4 that may spoil your enjoyment in discovering its plotline. Read at your own risk.
This Is Us Season 4 fans can't wait for the next episode of the series or whenever creator Dan Fogelman decided to reveal what happened between teenage Kate and her boyfriend Mark. Fortunately, the show executives offer some hints on how the new young romance will develop in time.
The recent episode of the NBC drama left fans in questions about the mysterious look on adult Kate's (Chrissy Metz) face when she saw her old Polaroid photo with Mark (Austin Abrams). Kate's face spells concern and sadness as she hands over the photo to Rebecca (Mandy Moore).
What makes it more puzzling is Rebecca and Kate's exchange before the credits roll. Rebecca's words suggest that she was too occupied at the time with the recent death of Jack (Milo Ventimiglia), early marriage of Kevin (Logan Shroyer), and Randall (Niles Fitch) leaving home for college.
"I wanted to believe so badly that you kids were happy. I didn't see what was happening," Rebecca said to which Kate reply she didn't see it either.
This Is Us co-showrunner and executive producer Isaac Aptaker confirmed to Entertainment Weekly that fans "should have a healthy amount of concern" for Kate. With those words in one sentence, fans should really be concerned about Katie.
Co-showrunner and EP Elizabeth Berger gave another hint that point out to Mark's personality which she said was revealed when he showed up at the Pearsons dinner uninvited. Berger said Mark is not afraid to do or say what he wants like showing up to a place uninvited or introducing himself as Kate's boyfriend without consulting her first.
Kate's boyfriend clearly has a strong personality and coupled it with their age gap, he may manipulate Randall and Kevin's sister to do whatever he wants.
The show has yet to reveal much about Mark other than he is 23 years old and working in a record shop. His backstory and what he did to Kate are expected to be revealed soon.
While waiting for that to happen, This Is Us fans have their theories. Some think Mark did something terrible on Kate that made her spiraled to severe depression and completely loss control of her weight.
Kate has been struggling with her weight since childhood but the series also showed that she has been trying her best to shed some pounds. Mark could be the reason why Pearson's No. 2 completely ignore her weight.
Others also think that whatever Mark did to Kate when they were young could be the reason why Jack and Rebecca's only daughter could handle the challenges in her life now. This Is Us Season 4 airs every Tuesdays at 9/8c on NBC.
