The beating heart at the center of “Switched at Birth’s” indelible 100th episode can swiftly be summed up by two words: Second Chances.
Some stories resonate so deeply within us and grab us so hard by the heart that we’re compelled to talk about them. “Memory (The Heart)” is one of those. Lea Thompson did a fantastic job directing it and it was so beautifully written by Linda Gase and Lizzy Weiss. They deserve huge writing props and maybe a gentle, teasing “shame on you” for stirring up so many mixed feelings.
The emotionally-charged theme and the fact that Gilles Marini made a heart-wrenching series return to Lizzy Weiss and Company’s magical milestone masterpiece, commanded commentary.
It’s hard, even now, not to well up with tears when looking back at it. So, Kleenex in hand, here we go.
Missing Someone Into Memory
Losing a loved one is one of the hardest things any of us will endure in life. Angelo’s death was sudden and unexpected. Daphne (Katie Leclerc), Bay (Vanessa Marano) and Regina (Constance Marie) suffered a horrible shock and terrible loss when Angelo was returned to them after years of separation only to be tragically ripped from their lives forever due to a fatal car crash.
In the opening scene, Daphne imagines her current life with Angelo in it. He cooks with Regina, jokes with her and Bay and even meets baby Carlton. Daphne misses her dad into memory and the scene is heartbreaking. We know he’s not really there and we dread the moment when she realizes it too.
Our hearts jump a little and thrash around in our chest when Angelo (an absolutely adorable Gilles Marini) fades from view. We echo Daphne’s thoughts: We wish he was still there too.
Bay and Daphne didn’t have enough time with Angelo and neither did we. Gilles brought his own unique sparkle and light to a troubled, complex character in Angelo Sorrento. We miss him.
Anyone who’s lost someone they really loved can’t help but catch a breath during this scene. Memories sustain us in different ways. But, there’s nothing worse than the time a memory or the weight of someone’s loss grabs us and shakes us unexpectedly.
A weight exists in all of us who have lost someone: It’s the empty void that exists because of the phone calls we’ll stop making, the heavy silence that replaces the sound of a voice. The birthday card we don’t send.
In truth, it’s a million little things that cease “to be” when someone is gone. We try to cover the hole in our heart by honoring the person’s memory and by living the way we believe they would want us to live. None of it is easy and for some of us, we never really get over a loss. We just find a way to get through each day.
Here’s a huge takeaway: Cherish the people you love. Right now. Don’t put off telling them what they mean to you. Life is short. Life is never guaranteed. If you love someone, tell them and show them. Every chance you get. Don’t squabble over meaningless, insignificant issues. None of it matters when someone is gone. The only thing that matters about anything we do in life is how we loved others while had the chance.
Second Chances
Daphne is angry when she finds out Ally lied about her background. And, she struggles with whether or not Ally, who is a recovering cocaine addict, really “deserves” the profound gift of Angelo’s heart.
Having the honor of reviewing dozens of Gilles Marini’s performances over the past seven years, one thing remains clear: He excels in moments when characters are having heart-to-heart conversations. Something sincere and soul-stirring spills out of his eyes. This is a rare gift among actors and Gilles exudes a very honest kind of light and compassion that come very naturally.
Angelo tells Daphne “everyone deserves a second chance” and he reminds her she was on a troubled path not-so-long-ago. He encourages her to give Ally another chance.
Gilles and Katie are perfect in this imaginary father-daughter moment between Angelo and Daphne. Every word they say rings so real, honest and true. BIG TIME Kleenex used here. Angelo may be gone, but, his influence still clearly guides Daphne’s heart. And, the final scene in which Regina “hugs” Angelo and says, “I feel him. I feel his heart.” is absolutely heartbreaking! Sniff, sniff …
The huge takeaway here: People do deserve second chances because we all make mistakes. Each of us has the potential to change and rise above poor choices and unfortunate circumstances. We can’t change the past. But, we can mold our own future and shape it into whatever we choose.
Another takeaway: Don’t judge others. We don’t know everyone’s heart or hidden motivation in choices they make. We should try, as much as possible, to offer compassion, kindness and love instead of judging and criticizing others.
What a wonderful, inclusive world it would be if everyone lived by these principles.
A Heartfelt Final Plea
Those of us who fell in love with Daphne and Bay from the pilot, and have applauded every groundbreaking thing Lizzy Weiss, the cast and the crew have strived (and succeeded) to accomplish with “Switched at Birth” don’t want to see this series end.
Please. Don’t. Go.
We need more shows with the tremendous heart of “Switched at Birth.” And, we need more showrunners, writers, directors and actors who are not afraid to use their voice and the TV platform to shine a light on important social issues and injustices. We need more shows that delve into the depths of the human heart and its capacity to love, to see others from the inside out, to forgive and guide us all.
We have enough medical dramas, sci-fi/fantasy worlds and crime/legal dramas. Please, TV-powers-that-be, remember what this chaotic world needs more of right now is love.
Thank you for opening our hearts and for sharing yours “Switched at Birth.” You will be sadly missed once the series wraps. But you will never, ever be forgotten …