Memory and the Past Quotes in The Girl on the Train

Returning to the scene of the crime (literally) helps Rachel piece things together. The sights, sounds, and smells of the underpass serve as small trigger.

Both Rachel and Megan have these black holes in their timelines, and they do different things to fill them. Rachel either drinks or tries to confront her memories head on, while Megan runs from them, having affairs to try to help her forget.

When Rachel hears this plea from someone else (Scott), it inspires her even more to dig deep into her psyche. She needs the external motivation to really get digging.