Switched at Birth fans are very lucky the final season was able to feature the series’ landmark 100th episode. The series chose to mark this milestone in two important ways. The first is, of course, the return of Gilles Marini as Bay and Daphne’s deceased father Angelo. It’s left up to interpretation if his return is in his daughter’s heads, or if his spirit is actually guiding them in a very visceral way one last time. Secondly, the episode is directed by series regular Lea Thompson. Only someone who has lived with this story since the beginning could have told this special one so well. Especially since the 100th episode is very emotional, and has a very strong dialogue about religion.
Bay and Daphne meet Angelo’s heart donor Aly. She is perfectly lovely to the girls, but Daphne’s suspicions are raised when Aly starts mooching off of their generosity. Bay feels an immediate connection with Aly, but Daphne feels she needs to do some research to make sure this girl is who she says she is. It’s especially important to do so for Regina’s sake. The woman nearly loses it when she realizes Aly is in her coffee shop.
Travis just can’t get over his insecurities about Emmett. That he is letting it interfere with his relationship Bay is bad enough. That it ruins Melody’s birthday party is ridiculous. It’s not as if Emmett makes the situation any better. Bringing up Toby’s orphan status is a low blow. What Travis doesn’t realize is that he and Emmett pretty much switched lives. Toby is doing incredibly well, and Emmett nearly killed himself. Once that hit him, Travis reconnects with his brother, and gives Emmett his blessing to do the same with his friendship with Bay.
In the vein of the spiritual theme of this episode, Toby and Lily have some friction when Katherine brings up baptizing baby Carlton. Lily is Jewish, but neither Lily or Toby are extremely devout. This is actually a common problem young parents are facing now. Those who grew up in a certain faith, but make the decision not to raise their children in that same faith come up against pressure from their parents to do so. This is especially true of interfaith couples. Toby doesn’t know how to say no to Katherine, which leaves Lily at the mercy of her mother-in-law and a reverend. Eventually Lily just has to put her foot down and make the impromptu decision to raise Carlton Jewish. It may be a decision make in the heat of the moment, but the more Lily thinks about it, the more she realizes how important her religion is to her. It’s the little things about the culture and traditions she wants to pass onto her son, to make him feel connected and grounded. Toby thinks it’s a good idea, and Kathryn gets on board because at least her grandson will be tied to something bigger than himself.
Now getting back to the heart of the matter. Aly is Angelo’s heart donor, but she lies to the girls about why she needed it. Aly led a partying lifestyle, which is the real reason she needed a heart. The girls feel betrayed, but get a little guidance from Angelo. Probably the most emotional of Angelo’s appearances is his first in a dream Daphne has of him. Seeing what could have been is more painful than memories because it can never happen. Yet Angelo guides both of his daughter’s through forgiveness. Daphne especially is reminded of who she became after Angelo died. He helps them get to a place where they can introduce Aly to Regina again. It turns our there’s something to that cellular memory theory. Without meaning to, Aly has picked up Angelo’s love of light. Even though she isn’t a religious person, Regina feels that love.
Did Switched at Birth‘s dialogue on religion and spirituality hit the mark? How wonderful was it to see Angelo again?
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Visitor Rating: 5 Stars
Visitor Rating: 5 Stars