I can’t believe there’s only one more episode of Switched At Birth before the summer finale! And just when I was getting addicted, too.
This episode, and the past couple of episodes for that matter, have had me feeling nervous. But I mean that in the best possible way. It’s like that nervous excitement of a new love interest … much that the blossoming relationship between Bay and Emmett. I actually don’t think there’s another TV-couple right now that I enjoy watching more than the two of them.
But the nervousness comes in on several counts. One, their relationship is a secret. And the person whose feelings they’re most concerned about hurting? Daphne’s, of course.
And then there’s Emmett’s mom, who is the only one who knows that the two have been “hanging out,” and who undoubtedly thinks this is a bad idea — not only because of Daphne, but also because I’m sure she thinks that Bay is (wait for the teen drama cliche! … It’s coming! …) a “bad influence.”
Sure, she’s got a point. Not only is Emmett lying about where he’s going at night, but he also got hurt when the two were together. (And badly hurt, I might add! I probably would have wanted to take him to the hospital for that gash.) So that’s not the best situation.
But another argument that she uses against their relationship: that he wants to take speech therapy. Why exactly is that a bad thing?
I understand that Emmett’s mother believes that that’s “not him,” or not what he really wants and that he’s sacrificing his own preferences and lifestyle just to communicate with Bay. But I have a couple of problems with this. One, it’s not like it’s a one-way street. Bay is learning sign language (and becoming very good at it, I might add!). Two, people’s decisions can change as they get older, whether it’s about what clothes they like, what music they listen to, where they want to attend college (if they even wish to attend), what they want to do for a living … why can’t Emmett’s opinions change about wishing to speak?
I can see where she’s coming from in a way, though. She might feel as though he’s losing part of himself — and of the portion of deaf culture he’s relating to — by deciding to speak. And the lying and sneaking around is something that no mother wants to deal with. But instead of judging Bay without really getting to know her, perhaps she should give her a chance. Bay is trying. I would have never thought she’d have gone for Emmett at first, would you? I didn’t even peg her for the type of person who would be learning to sign. But as we all know, people may surprise us.
Case in point: Kathryn. I’m also very happy to see her using ASL and really getting serious about communicating with Daphne on her birth daughter’s terms. Funny how it was Regina who was finally able to inspire that breakthrough in Kathryn, yet she’s the one whose actions cost her trust and communication with Daphne.
It’s interesting to see how Toby as well as Regina’s mother have forgiven her (in addition to Emmett’s mom, whose couch she’d been crashing on for two days). And although Bay was extremely angry at Regina, she softened a bit for the party. In fact, it seems as though the only characters who are still holding a major grudge are John (Kathryn’s husband) and Daphne.
(I just have to go off-topic for a minute to discuss that I’ve been watching Friday Night Lights on Netflix on demand, and D.W. Moffett (who plays John on SAB) is such an evil, disgusting character on that show! It’s reached the point where just an expression on his face can make me want to throw something at the TV. Even though I dislike John on SAB for several of the same reasons I detest his FNL character — he’s entitled, manipulative, and threatening — John’s character is an extremely toned down version. When I watch SAB, I’m so relieved that he’s not the monster he is on FNL. But I still don’t like him very much on this show.)
Finally, the birthday. The car thing is so typical rich-kid birthday that I didn’t really make too much of that. It was actually Emmett’s gift-giving that got me nervous again! I loved the scarf’s double-role as a blindfold, and what he did for Bay … that was amazing. (By the way, how did he do that?!)
But, of course, just as Bay was going to be honest with Daphne, Daphne confides in Bay with her recently discovered feelings for Emmett.
Honestly, I’m not exactly sure I’d want Daphne and Emmett to be together. I know they’re each other’s best friends, and they’ve been there for each other through everything, but … to me they don’t have the same spark that he has with Bay. There’s just something a little bit different about Bay and Emmett’s personalities — coupled with that rebellious streak in both of them — that I think it’ll work. I see Emmett and Daphne arguing all the time.
So, what’s going to happen now? Will Daphne confess her love for Emmett? Will Emmett tell Daphne the truth? Will Bay and Emmett break up because she doesn’t want to hurt Daphne? Let us know your predictions in the comments!
And, fans … aren’t you excited that another 22 episodes have been ordered of the show?
Clacked by Rachel Blum-Jose 
on Aug 02, 2011 @ 11:00 EST5EDT
