ABC Family's Switched at Birth - Episode 3.12 "Love Among the Ruins"
Bay faces the consequences of her unplanned romantic encounter with Emmett. Daphne sets out to find the person who vandalized her mom's design studio. Matthew continues to bully Emmett.
"Love Among the Ruins" is just a really great start to Season 3B. It's taking the elements that worked from the first half of the season and building on them. It's not a new period of the narrative where new stories are being introduced for all the characters. Season 3A had a lot of plot - that would probably be my biggest complaint about that batch of episodes. This opener seems to simplify things. It's focused on Bay's relationship with Emmett and Tank, Emmett continuing to be bullied by Matthew, Daphne trying to figure out who vandalized Regina's story and Regina buckling down on the East Riverside project yet again.This project to revitalized their former neighbor was one of the most underserved stories from the earlier episodes this year. It was simmering in the background and it didn't seem like the show quite knew what to do with it. The dynamic between Regina and Wes was just awkward. They could be friendly one minute and committed to the project and then suddenly turn and just hate the other with gusto. That back-and-forth was the sole narrative drive of the story. Now, the show is doubling down on it - bringing every character into the fold in the aftermath of the brick flying through the window. Regina is willing to quit and not worry everyone else about the full story of what happened. But Daphne is not going to sit idly by and let this act go unpunished. We know that she stands up for what she believes in. She is not afraid to confront Nacho - the least menacing gang banger name ever - and lay out the facts. Regina was passionate about the project but now that it's facing vocal opposition she is willing to let it go. That's not the kind of person who raised Daphne. She taught her that she shouldn't take anything from anyone and to speak out when others try to oppress you. Regina just needs to get refocused again. And that she does thanks to John, Kathryn, Daphne and Angelo.
And then, there is Bay who has tragically become the worst person she could ever imagine - a cheater. She has been hurt so much because of cheating and yet she was willing to go along with it in the heat of the moment. Both she and Emmett didn't care that they didn't have any protection. In that field, they just wanted to be with one another. The world around them didn't exist. It was just him and her. The only person they want to be with. Things come crashing back to reality the morning after. She recognizes the mistake that happened and reasonably freaks out. She doesn't want to hurt Tank in this way. She does have a bond with him. But it's not the same. Emmett has always been there for here ever since he came into her life two years ago. Tank is this whole different person - unlike anyone else she has ever dated. That's both refreshing and difficult. The two are opposites who can't always understand what the other is doing. Bay simply does not understand the fraternity life. That was the defining ebb and flow of their relationship. But now, he's de-pledged. He's available for her in the way that she deserves. He's a sweet guy - but so is Emmett. It's quite the situation she finds herself in. She just wants to distance herself from Emmett. But she does make a choice. She may not like how it happened. But it did happen. And now, she's choosing to be with Emmett. They are great together and great for each other.
But the true MVP of the summer premiere has to be every single scene between Emmett and Melody. That has been a rough relationship. He's always begging for her to listen to him and just let things slide. The educator in her doesn't allow him any kind of slack. So, he ends up being unforthcoming and distant. She's his mom and he doesn't want to share any of these kinds of personal details. It's painful watching him try to pick up all the flyers so people at school don't read his texts with "Mandy." It gets even more unpleasant for him as he has to share what happened with his mom. She is pulling the information out of him. He's reluctant to share but also angry that he could be turned into an example about cyber-bullying. He doesn't want to be embarrassed anymore. He just wants to put his head down and finish out the school year. He wants to be with Bay and at least have some kind of happiness come from this. Melody doesn't see it that way. She learns what happened and needs Matthew to be punished. Even when Emmett denies the statement, she needs an explanation. He pleads with her to drop it in order to protect him. She recognizes that plea but then takes out all of her motherly rage on Matthew. She hates what he has done for her son. For the first time, she acts impulsively. And that mistake could ultimately cost her her job. This story is far from done and I can't wait to see how Emmett and Melody (along with Bay) continue to deal with it.
Some more thoughts:
- "Love Among the Ruins" was written by Lizzy Weiss and directed by Norman Buckley.
- All throughout John's speech about the horrors of vandalism I was thinking "Wasn't it Bay who was doing all the vandalism at the car wash?"
- Also, Bay is good at pool because of Wilke. Good ole Wikle. Still getting his name dropped two seasons after leaving.
- Nacho is a laughable name but I loved Daphne telling him to just back off.
- Daphne telling Angelo he needs to learn how to sign was very sweet and heartfelt. Hopefully that dynamic gets explored even further this season. It should since he's living with them now.
- The reveal that John and Kathryn know about Bay taking the morning after pill is... interesting. There's an openness that Bay has about this kind of stuff with Regina and Daphne. And yet, it's still awkward when she has to share those kinds of things with her parents. I'm intrigued to see how it plays out.
