Wow, I didn’t pick up on any kind of dementia behavior. I thought she was weak from not eating, overly worried about Kate and the baby and, once she shared her thoughts about the night Jack died, I added taking a bad trip down memory lane to the list.
^^I think any of these could be possibilities. The one about leaving Jack for the vending machine being very poignant.
But I feel like they have referred a few times - especially this season - to little mental missteps - which makes us think about a brain disease.
I just read an article in our paper yesterday about this episode, and they were experimenting. They were wanting it to be like a stage show, with lots of pause for effects, etc. hope they don’t do it again.
I agree that they may be hinting at the start of dementia for Rebecca - makes me wonder if she is the “her” that Randall and Tess are going to see in the flash forward from an earlier episode.
^^^^^^Just read an article suggesting that “ theory”
https://screenrant.com/this-us-season-3-twist-rebecca-dementia-theory/
Yes it was those specific behaviors and the way Miguel seemed to be covering for her that made me think dementia. Although I may have read that theory other places after the flashforward “her” episode. But those are familiar behaviors from my irl observations of someone in early stages. She may have been worried about Kate but she was also so disengaged from everyone else. They said move to California to a retirement community and sometimes those have Alzheimer facilities onsite.
If they give Rebecca dementia I will stop watching. There is just so much darkness I can take from a show. I definitely do not want to spend a few seasons watching her deteriorate.
It would have to be early onset because she is too young to be suffering from dementia. If that’s what the writers are planning, then, once again, their timeline is off.
We’re doing a lot of “projecting” right now. 
What did we hear before? The show is planned to go 5 or 6 seasons? As long as Mandy has a contract I don’t think they will be putting her in a sick state for a long period of time - if ever.
I have no opinions about dementia or not.
My DIL’s father was diagnosed with dementia this year. He’s 66, it’s heartbreaking. We knew there were problems for the past year or so but things got really bad this year. The aren’t really sure yet of a definite diagnosis but last I heard it might be a form of Parkinson’s
Also I think this show has decided on an end date already, I googled it and they said 6 seasons. We are in season 3 so I think the writers have an idea of the story arc
I have a close friend, 57, who is exhibiting lots of signs of early onset dementia. It’s heartbreaking. She can’t work anymore because she forgets everything. She’s gotten lost when she’s come to visit me, even though she’s been making the trip for over 20 years. She hasn’t really gotten WORSE, but it’s been bad for at least three or four years.Her husband seems to be in denial.
Wow. I really hope they don’t ‘give’ Rebecca dementia…
What about when Toby (finally) came out and announced that the baby had been born, and then said that Kate had asked to see Miguel. While I admit I chuckled a bit, I thought it was mean-spirited and certainly didn’t fit in with the tenseness of the rest of the episode.
I think he apologized about the bad joke and exhaustion, but it just shows you their feelings toward him (not Toby, but the big 3). I felt so bad for him when he seemed surprised and pleased.
It would have to be early onset because she is too young to be suffering from dementia. If that’s what the writers are planning, then, once again, their timeline is off.
Rebecca is roughly 65-70 isnt she? How would that be early onset?
My builder is 55 and has Alzheimer’s. He had to close his business. It can happen.
I think it will be something like a tumor. Then there can be some more hospital scenes.
I have mentioned stokes…
@LittleStitious Rebecca is over 65, so if she’s got Alzheimer’s it isn’t early onset.
https://alz.org/help-support/i-have-alz/younger-onset See also https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/in-depth/alzheimers/art-20048356
Why does it matter if it’s early onset or not?
@MaineLonghorn Read comment by poster alwaysamom 3/15 @ 4:12 pm
@jonri I didn’t post that so that it would be taken literally, or as a medically correct phrase. I meant that someone of Rebecca’s age would not typically be thought to be suffering from dementia. Yes, of course, it happens occasionally to someone at that age or younger but it certainly isn’t typical. Her behavior in the waiting room wasn’t exhibiting any of the usual symptoms of dementia.