Acclaimed NBC drama "This Is Us" doesn't shy away from emotional moments or unconventional storytelling techniques, and according to the show's creator, its upcoming third season will have plenty of both.

While chatting with Entertainment Weekly, Dan Fogelman discussed some of the plotlines that await fans of the series when it returns this fall. But of course, Fogelman couldn't help but be a bit vague about exactly what will happen. Hey, this show is still part mystery, after all.

One key mystery that will be addressed, however, is whatever was happening with Randall (Sterling K. Brown) and a grown-up Tess in the flash-forward timeline from the season two finale. We already know that Beth (Susan Kelechi Watson) doesn't die, but whatever tragedy does befall the Pearson clan (and the infamous "her") will come into clearer focus.

The show will jump between that era and the present (and yes, will still include flashbacks to the past), in order to add context to each timeline.

"The question isn’t just who’s estranged, or who’s in prison, or any of the other theories that I’ve heard from people, it’s about where are all the other characters at that point in their lives," Fogelman explained to EW.

And speaking of that point in their lives: The producer revealed that that future timeline would mark the "ending timeline" of the series, with no flash-forwards occurring after that era. Does that mean that Brown used some of that old age makeup to film some of the final scenes of the series?

Fogelman isn't talking, though he did leave fans with this appropriately anguished tease about season three:

“There’s humor and love and levity after a very heavy season which I always like when we do. And then… some wallops. It’s our most ambitious season. It’s going to pack a great deal of emotion, and the story lines are going to surprise people.”

We're both excited and nervous to see what's in store for the Pearsons.

"This Is Us" returns for season three on NBC on September 25.

[via: Entertainment Weekly]