'This Is Us' season 1 news: Toby's fate sends Kate reeling as flashback teases Big Three's arrival

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The Pearson family's story continues when "This Is Us" returns to NBC on Tuesday, Jan. 10.

"This Is Us" is almost back and the big question that was left hanging in the midseason finale will at last find an answer: Is Toby (Chris Sullivan) still alive?

Signs are not pointing to a very promising start when NBC's breakout series returns next week. According to the press release for episode 11 titled "The Right Thing to Do," the aftermath of Toby's heart attack in the episode that aired on Dec. 6, 2016 will have major emotional consequences for his girlfriend, Kate (Chrissy Metz). Does he or does he not survive? And if he does, how will this life-threatening incident change his view on life, and will his relationship with Kate improve or suffer from it?

In a phone interview with Entertainment Weekly following the heart-stopping midseason finale, actor Sullivan described the scene as "a bold and tricky storytelling move" that could only be delivered by the writers of "This Is Us." He went on to say that he had faith that the show's creative team will "tell the best version of the story that there is to tell."

He refused to either confirm or deny his character Toby's fate when the show returns for the second half of its freshman season. But he did advise fans to not underestimate the emotionality of their show.

"Just when you think you don't have another tear to cry, we will find a way," Sullivan said.

On the other hand, Kate's twin brother, Kevin (Justin Hartley), will also be dealing with some relationship problems when previously AWOL actress and almost-girlfriend, Olivia (Janet Montgomery) suddenly returns. How will this affect his pretend-relationship with one-time fling, Sloane (Milana Vayntrub)?

Randall (Sterling K. Brown) will also have to come to terms with his biological father William's (Ron Cephas Jones) same-sex relationship with fellow Alcoholics Anonymous alum, Jessie (Dennis O'Hare). In the past, the news of the Big Three's arrival would send Jack (Milo Ventimiglia) and Rebecca (Mandy Moore) on the hunt for the perfect home big enough to accommodate their growing family.

"This Is Us" will return on Tuesday, Jan. 10, at 9 p.m. EST on NBC.