Love Seduces Innocence, Pleasure Entraps and Remorse Follows

A finale with a finale style. That’s how we can categorize this amazing final episode written by Lizzy Weiss and Linda Gase and directed by Steve Miner, 3 amazing entertainers that made this episode so rich in details and such an amazing lift up message to all the viewers. Honestly, this episode could be perceived as the series finale if they had to end production right now. All the stories were locked up with an ending or assumable ending like many happy ending movies would do. What is funny was that all the time the cast interviews and media in general kept talking about a big cliffhanger on this episode that will make people hooked to see the next section of the season, which for sure has many cliffhangers that made the viewers curious to know what will come next, however none of them can be considered a big deal, if we don’t have a next section we won’t ever find out, but as I mentioned even if we didn’t have a next section we could assume what would happen based on the overall message of this episode, therefore, yes it will be awesome to have more and know more and develop more everyone’s story line, but there is no need to. All characters had their “Happy Ending” regardless of the problem they are up to face on next section.

The fact that Toby decides to fight for his marriage and go to Peru was a great idea of the writers to show that even young adults can have such a great love to compromise and make their sacrifices for the one they loved. After all that’s what marriage is about, compromise and fight for what you believe in search for a better good for both parties. Yet on following the line of thoughts and message of this episode, Kathryn convinces Toby to go look for his own happiness and his own life. It is true that “when a door closes, a window opens”, life is always putting new opportunities in our ways, we just need to pick the one that is best for us, as long as we follow our heart and be ourselves, who cares what other people say or think of you. The only person that can hurt you and put you down is yourself, if you allow yourself to go down on that road. So Toby, found his window, he is looking for his identity and making his happiness a priority in his life and not letting Nikki’s decision to put him down.

Daphne also got the message when she had to face her fears. Once she decided to abandon her desire to become a doctor, I surely could understand where she comes from. It is hard to know that if you save someone’s life, who as soon as he/she gets better, he/she will be out there hurting someone else’s, is really difficult, but after a great talk with Jorge, she realizes that a person’s life, being her/him good or bad person, is more important than anything. She realizes that she wants to help people, she likes the medical field even with this small disadvantage and that’s what she will be fighting for, to become a doctor. It doesn’t matter if people think she can’t or won’t be able to do it, it doesn’t matter how hard it will be to overcome the disability and her own fears, but if that’s what her heart wants, that is what she should be doing. It is for her own happiness, not for others. One thing I particularly didn’t like is why she was thinking that Jorge was getting back at her, who does she think she is? The world turns around her? Jorge was amazingly professional about his career and her relationship with Campbell. He has improved a lot on his signing for her. He helped her realize what she really wants. What did Campbell do about it? Jorge is mature, sweet and very professional while Campbell still seems like a spoil rich kid that just like to play around. He broke up his long time relationship with his girlfriend for Daphne, what would make him NOT break up with Daphne if he finds someone else? Sorry, but I confess I’m #TeamJorge on this.

It was very nice to see Bay being Bay again and even nicer to see that the stubborn 16 years girl that cause the whole problem with the old boyfriend family making him go over the top of anger and consequently cheating on her is still Bay on her nearly 18years now. Even after Emmett tells her to get out of his business with his new girlfriend, Bay couldn’t stop herself to try to meddle in his life again. When she was 16 and dating Emmett, if you all remember, he asked her to stay out of his problems with his parents’ divorce, although she promised that she would, she could not stop and got in the middle anyway. Horrible move at the time but we understand they were dating then and, as always, she just wanted to protect him. Now they weren’t dating, so her involvement in the situation should not be more than simply talk about what she knows, however she even involved her, then, boyfriend Tank in the middle of her search for the real Mandy story. The difference on both actions was only one, back then, 2 years ago, that made him mad and eventually led to a situation that made them break up, the action happening now made him happy to find out the she still loves him and led to them getting back together. Same action, same Bay, really different results…in one point of view. Some may say that Bay cheated on Tank by getting back to Emmett, so if that was the point of this review, we could also say that the same stubbornness that Bay had on those 2 situations made some one a cheater. 2 years ago, it was all about Emmett being a cheater, now it is all about Bay being a cheater. In this case, I must say, the writers are amazing to put this together. Although both cheating situation are very different and had very different meaning for each character, the fact that Bay cheated now making her hurt Tank may give her a little bit of the feelings that Emmett had when he realized how much he hurt Bay with his action. Now may be Bay’s turn to realize how Emmett felt hurting someone who loves him, she may feel that when she notices how much she hurt someone who loves her (Tank). On the other hand we can also perceive that scene as not cheating as well. Here is why I don’t think it was cheating. First, Bay and Tank were not really that stable, how many times they fought and broke up for small things and Tank had to come back and apologize? And Bay kept taking him back, who knows why? But the fact that Tank stormed out of Bay’s car is an indicator that again, they broke up and if Tank wants to be with Bay he will need to apologize again and hope that she will take him back. Unfortunately this time, she may not want to take him back anymore. Also, for a guy on a fraternity who is in an university, who on the first episode didn’t care about “love”, he heard from Bay all her stories about Ty and Emmett and who knows that Bay is not into him, she was still trying, he sees her going after Emmett’s girlfriend and even help her to do that, couldn’t he just figure out that she was at the edge? She was looking for an excuse to “look good” for Emmett who he knew had a history with her. It was definitely not wise of Tank to be leaving Bay alone to have this kind of conversation or release this kind of information to Emmett alone. If he had stood by her side, he would have been there at the park with her and most likely nothing would have happened. So Tank, I’m sorry man, but you should have been more awaken about this whole situation..you snooze, you lose. The good thing about this whole “break up” part was that Tank is heading to become a better man by leaving the fraternity and patching things up with Marybeth, which by the way, was a very weird scene to see MB all hugging Tank who she hated and barely knows so freely and normally while Travis she shows no sign of affection but with words. Yes she hugged him once when they were dancing but they are in a relationship, they should be hugging and kissing all the time at their age. Let’s just say, it really doesn’t make sense to me. Maybe MB and Tank should be together. Regardless of what the writers has plan for them, the fact that Tank future seems to become better now is what made this finale seems like a finale with a good perspective to all characters mentioned up to now. Tank also stood up for what he believes, for what he wants, it didn’t matter what his friends and father were happy with his decision, what mattered was that HE was happy.

On another character, Regina did great by quitting the job in the first place by not negotiating the deal in the old neighborhood, but why did she have to betray her boss by telling people to get an attorney? At the end, the whole situation was so messed up already that they don’t want her there anymore. Well, that part was a little harsh. If she now started to help the neighborhood, they should be happy with her for doing it. Either way, once she got fired for going against her boss she realizes that it is better to live happily with herself than miserable with someone else. Although we see Angelo not that happy for Regina being fired and not being able (or seems to) to pay for the debts and other life expenses, in the end he did get what he wanted from her, for her not to work for Wes. Regina shows that she also will fight for her own life, who cares what comes next? Who cares what people says? What is more important is her happiness and that wasn’t working for Wes. She stood up for herself and will face her life and the people (including the neighbors who don’t want her there) with her head up and nothing to fear.

Question; when is Angelo learning sign language? The only time he attempted to was still on season 1 when Daphne gave him a glove he signed “Thank you”. Other than that he does make any effort to learn or show any interest on it. Why? Doesn’t he want to learn more about Daphne’s culture? And even Bay school system?

On the other hand, the ones whose ASL is their 1^st language was giving us the best show ever as we see Marlee Matlin and Sean Berdy amazing performance when Melody and Emmett discuss about failing History. Not easy to a mother to say that she wants the son out of the house, that part was really heartfelt which was no surprise coming from this great actress on the show. My question is, why is Emmett always failing History when he gets involved with a girl? The same thing happened on Season 1 Episode 12 when Bay and Regina went to have dinner at Melody’s house so Melody would get to know Bay better, right before they arrived, Melody received a text or email on her phone saying that Emmett had failed his History test and she blamed on Bay for making him being playing with her instead of studying for the test. Conclusion: Emmett + Girl = Fail History + Angry Mom. Continuing talking about scenes of Emmett and Melody, it was interesting to see that Emmett had a picture of the Statue of Liberty in his locker when he was storing his backpack and Melody took his phone and keys. The only thing I can think of the reason why he had that was because of Bay. Honestly, that wasn’t an amazing picture for him to be admiring it and an artistic photography, Mandy doesn’t live there and his goal is to go to Gallaudet (Washington DC), the only apparent reason he would be thinking about NY is because Bay will be there for college, so is this a way from the writers or director to give us another hint of what we all already knew? That Emmett still loves Bay. Whatever we think the reason can be, it is so great to see those little details on every prop, set design, clothes, camera angle and of course, the lines.

Following the lines, Renzo speech was the most amazing, lift up, get a reality check speech I’ve ever heard. Renzo was blessed this time with the message of the show, like on episode 8 it was Dr. J, this episode fell on Renzo to deliver the connection of all the story lines and the reason why this episode is considered, to me, a real finale. It is all about what your value in life is, what you heart desires and who you are. Be happy being yourself. What other people wants you to be or think of you doesn’t matter. You are the one who needs to live with yourself and you should be happy living your life the way you want, not the way people want. If you need to please everybody you may never be able to please you. Keep your head up, don’t be afraid and be happy!

That brings me to the last scene of Bay and Emmett. Surely enough it was already expected up to a certain point. Matthew being the one behind the whole Mandy story was already predicted so there was not much surprise there and the promo video released by ABC Family also disclosed a little fight and the Bay and Emmett reconciliation, however there were definitely a little more to see there. The fight scene was really great, incredible how these 2 young deaf actors can do so much on screen. Of course we believe stunts were in place in many of those takes, but from the behind the scene video released by Daniel Durant, we also see that they both did a great part of it themselves. Director Steve Miner also was incredible capturing the angles and making it a very powerful and realistic moment. What people may be thinking now is what will happen with the video that Matthew did of Emmett being “catfished”. That was mean of Matthew, but as for SAB story line, that was just an excuse to bring in a better good, the Bay and Emmett reunion. For 2 years, the Bemmett fans has been waiting, complaining, asking and fighting for these 2 characters to get back together. Bay has been with 4 other guys since they broke up while Emmett was just waiting for her to finally realize that what she felt for him was never going to die. It took Bay 2 years and the risk of actually losing Emmett to another girl for her to finally wake up and let her feelings show again. After all the time waiting for Bay and getting hurt by seeing her with other guys, plus the embarrassment of being fooled into a trap by Matthew, Emmett managed to get his answer back and his love back. Bay also delivered the line that connected to Renzo theory..”who cares?”. Your life can not be depending on someone else’s thoughts or actions, it is about how you feel about yourself and how you let the situations around you get to you. On the same time, she not only lift up his ego and emotions but also came to realize she was lying to herself this whole time while trying to move on. She realizes that she loves Emmett and never stopped loving him, which means, whoever she was with in the past, never meant much to her. The most beautiful part of that realization was that she knew that after this whole time apart, not only she needed to show him that she was seriously in love with him, but she also knew that this love she felt was true and now she could really make love for the 1^st time with the man she really loves. It was not sex; it was pure passion, intimacy and love. These 2 work together so well that all the time from the kiss to the end they were perfectly in sync with the other's action. It made the action runs smoothly and beautiful in ever single movement they did while taking off their clothes and kissing. Bay eager to stake Emmett's clothes off and his help even rehearsed 1000 times could not be so perfect and matched even better on the editing (apart from one little detail of his sweater), even to put her down Emmett was careful to lie her on the blanket while with Ty and Tank, Bay ended up almost falling off the bed. This action also shows that Bay had finally found out what sex means to her, she didn’t want to have sex with Tank until she figures out what why she would want that, when she decided to let her feelings for Emmett flow, she had her answer, it all make sense in her life now. Bay and Emmett found their happiness together, who cares what people say, about the video, about the cheating (past and present) about their feelings. They are happy, all they need to do is keep their heads up and live their lives the way they want to and not the way people want them to live.

Cliffhanger here is whether or not they had protection and if Bay will show up pregnant on next season. To my view of the reaction from the public, it is a 50-50. Many people would like to see them getting married and having a family, while some others don’t like to see a teen-mom on the show. I’m sure, whatever way the writers decide to go, they will have a great debate from the fans in regards to it, but in my point of view, having a teen-parent will be a great issue to be addressed and shown on TV. It is a reality out there and many people have already been through that situation. As the show addresses many different situation like the deafness and deaf culture, the paralysis, the teen-marriage, the cochlear implant, the mental illness, the street artist mind and life, the teen-sex (1^st time), fraternity life, the sacrifices of marriage, the cheating situations, the divorces situation in a child’s mind, immigration problems, the problems in school system, the problems of kids being bullied and rejected, the corruption in the politics, the struggle of being an artist, army life and consequences of being a veteran, homosexuality, adoption, difficulties of parenthood and not to forget the main theme and character of the show; the problem of being switched at birth…among many others. All of them are real life problems addressed to in the show, so a teen-mom situation would be nothing more than another great real life situation that could become a great story line.

As mentioned in the beginning, this finale could be the series finale because of the whole message, and that’s how I see; Kathryn and John are in a great place of their marriage, Regina and Angelo will be fine since she is doing what he wanted, she also would be fine for standing up for herself and doing what she wants to do and not feel a slave of Wes anymore which eventually could make their neighbors realize that and welcome her back. Daphne is fine with Campbell at this moment and she is happy with her decision to become a doctor, Tank is on the road to become a better man, no need to add more to it. Toby is freely living his life and finding his happiness. Since Bay and Emmett exchange their love to each other, it is assumable that Melody will be fine with that since she likes Bay, the video Matthew did will cause no major effect since like Bay said “who cares?” it is more important that they are happy together and whatever or whoever is affected by the video is not important enough to get into their happiness. So if the series would finish today, we have all the cast happy or in their way to happiness.

Thank you Lizzy and Linda for such an amazing episode with and amazing story and even more amazing message! Be yourself, stand up for what you want and who you are and just BE HAPPY!!

See you all on June 16^th!!

Time to re-watch last Monday's episode. If you do not have abcfamily app or dvr or hulu, you can try this link: http://www.zzstream.li/2014/03/switched-at-birth-s3-e11-love-seduces-innocence-pleasure-entraps-and-remorse-follows.html We do NOT endorse or support the website or its content and strongly advise you to get your abcfamily app or register with a secure website endorsed by ABC Channel.