john kennish – Zakiya N. Jamal

Switched at Birth Recap: “And Life Begins Right Away”

Posted on August 20, 2014 by Zakiya N. Jamal in TV

Usually I try to go in order of what happens in the episode but I just can’t today because nope, nope, nope, absolutely not. Bay is NOT going to jail for Daphne. What in the world is this BS? I’m sorry but no.

First of all I get the whole they’re really sisters now and Bay loves Daphne enough to be this selfless and that’s beautiful and blah blah blah. Whatever. That’s complete BS. First, Bay could totally still get jail time. Honestly it may not be as bad as Daphne but still. More than that it’s a felony. She’s going to have a permanent record for something Daphne did. Also, yes Bay wants to be an artist now but what if she wants to do something different later. This is on her permanent record. Just no.

I get that this was a great plot twist and honestly I applaud the SAB writers for creating such a great finale because it truly was wonderful but I’m so upset by this. Daphne really messed up this season and although I get that she was upset by everything with Angelo that shouldn’t be an excuse and she shouldn’t be able to just walk away with this. I’m really pissed that Daphne let Bay just take the blame for her and this made me dislike her even more. Own up to your own mistakes. If we’re going to try to play the “they’re real sisters now” card then Daphne should’ve of done a solid for her sister and not let her take the fall for something she didn’t do.

But I can talk about that all day so let’s just get to the recap.

The episode began with the return of Wes and him telling Regina he wouldn’t press charges against Daphne. Yay! Except when Daphne and Regina go to tell John and Kathryn the good news there’s an officer waiting to take Daphne in because someone else pressed charges and they found Daphne’s prints on the scene.

Oh, dear.

Once at the police station it’s revealed that there’s really no way Daphne can get away from this unscathed. Either they can fight it and she could get three years or she can take the plea deal and get 90 days. Either way she’ll be going to prison for reals and since she’s 18 it’ll go on her record. I guess Nacho wasn’t worth it after all was he Daphne? (Sorry I’m still pissed.)

After the Kennish’s and Vasquez’s have a family discussion Daphne decides she’s going to turn herself in and that she just wants to enjoy her last day at graduation and the family agrees.

MeanwhileBay is working on finding a reasonable plan to present to John and Kathryn so she can go to LA and be with Emmett. Though it takes her time to figure it out she makes a solid plan and with money from Angelo’s life insurance Bay is able to present her plan to John. After revealing to both John and Kathryn that Bay is at risk for developing an aneurysm they are especially not on board for Bay going to LA. However Bay points out that she’s 18 and she can legally do whatever she wants.

You go Bay!

Also, it’s revealed that Carlton will be closing after this year which sucks but that wasn’t a major plot point so we’ll move one.

At graduation Daphne freaks about her future and tells Bay she doesn’t think she’ll be able to give her speech. However, with encouraging words from Bay Daphne is able to find the courage to give her speech which left me in a ball of tears because it was so beautiful.

Afterwards there were a lot of beautiful moments at the graduation. First of which, Travis’ mom showed up all on her own. Apparently she’d been learning sign language via an app (that I now need to purchase) and it was really sweet to see her there meeting Melody and Mary Beth.

What got me the most was the scene between Daphne and Emmett (shout out to come-and-dance.tumblr.com for this awesome GIF set):

He then admitted that if Bay wasn’t going to LA with him he wouldn’t have gone to USC. Awww! He’s so in love with her it’s adorable.

Also, when Regina went to hug Bay Bay revealed she had a picture of Angelo pinned to her gown which also made me tear up a bit. This episode really hit me in the feels.

After Sharee says her goodbyes to Daphne and says she’ll see her at the graduation party Daphne decides to peace out and go to the police station straight from there. Bay decides to go with her telling her she won’t let her do this alone. From there we get the whole Bay lies and says she did it and Daphne lets her take the fall thing that I refuse to discuss anymore.

Other notable points of the episode was Nikki deciding she wants an annulment rather than a divorce and Toby and Cool English Teacher deciding to do nothing rather than something together. In other words they’re leaving friendship territory and walking into relationship territory.

Speaking of new relationships I’m now a fan of: Wes finally made a move! Thank God. Took him long enough. When telling Regina he wouldn’t press charges he kissed Regina and at first she was totally about it but then pulled away saying she wasn’t ready. However, later in the episode after Regina had blamed Wes for Daphne’s arrest, Regina goes back to his office to apologize where he then invites her to go to Hawaii with him. We don’t know if she’ll say yes or not but I’m really hoping she says yes. I really like them together and I think he would be good for her. We shall see.

Sadly, now we’re on Switched at Birth hiatus which is always a sucky time. Thankfully, the writers are blessing us with a Christmas special in December so it won’t be too long of a wait. Check out the preview below.

Obviously the show really likes these what if episodes. I don’t care; I’m in support.

Until then let me know your thoughts on the finale and the crazy ending. Honestly I just hope this doesn’t wreck my Bemmett ship. I don’t think it will but what is Emmett going to do now? He better still go to USC. But then they won’t be together. Then again Bay might be in jail so there’s that. I can’t even think about.

Will Bay go to prison? Will Regina go to Hawaii? Does this mean Daphne’s going to Gallaudet now? What’s going to happen?!? Thankfully SAB got renewed for a fourth season so we’ll get all our answers soon enough. I can’t wait!

Switched at Birth Recap: “The Image Disappears”

Posted on July 15, 2014July 15, 2014 by Zakiya N. Jamal in TV

If you follow me on Twitter you know that I was in complete denial this whole episode. I still can’t believe it and I’m very upset with the writers. Let’s just get straight to the point. Angelo is gone. After his accident he went brain dead and there was no reviving him. What I hoped was a very bad dream turned out to be very true and I couldn’t be more upset. Let’s start from the beginning.

The episode begins with everyone arriving at the hospital, stressed because Angelo is in grave condition. Although he pulls through his surgery the doctor warns that there could be serious brain damage but also states that since he’s young and healthy there may be a chance (there wasn’t).

After Bay, Regina, and Daphne go in to see Angelo the doctor tells Daphne if the number on the machine that’s hooked up to Angelo goes above 20 that’s no bueno. Regina then convinces Daphne to leave and go take the SATs that she’d studied so hard for. I personally think it was a little ludicrous for Regina to expect Daphne to sit through an exam like that after all she was going through but it is what it is. Daphne leaves, telling Toby to let her know if the number goes above 20. Of course, because everything has to go terribly wrong in this episode, it does.

Meanwhile Kathryn and Regina pray for Angelo’s recovery and Bay decides to donate blood in an effort to help Angelo. While donating she passes out and has this really sweet dream of Angelo helping her as she gives birth to twins. Then she’s gently awakened by Emmett, her knight in shining armor. Aww.

At the test Daphne has to give the proctor her phone and of course it starts to go off during the exam. Having to make a choice Daphne picks up the phone and she is dismissed (rather harshly) from the exam. Running back to the hospital Angelo has been rushed off to the OR. Daphne tells Bay she went to take the SAT and Bay rings her a new one, asking how she could possibly leave to take a test in such dire circumstances. Little does Bay know that was the last thing Daphne wanted to do in the first place.

When Angelo gets out of surgery the doctor says he’s brain dead leaving everyone shocked and wondering what to do. Angelo can continue to live off of all the machines he’s hooked up to but he’s essentially gone. Well, at least this is what the doctors say. Every one is in denial about this point at first.

John, who feels guilty because Angelo asked him for a loan and he said no, is looking for any doctor that can give them a different diagnosis. He fails to find one and is forced to admit there’s nothing he can do. Daphne talks to the doctor who explains to her Angelo’s not coming back. He shows her two x-rays of Angelo’s brain, one that shows the blood flowing there and one that shows no blood flowing at all. The doctor then suggests that the family consider doing organ donation.

Daphne tells Bay about her plan and Bay is outraged asking Daphne how she could possibly want to break Angelo down and “sell him for parts like a used car”. Again, ouch. Bay is throwing some hard punches in this episode. Speaking of low blows when John suggests to Regina they let Angelo go she accuses him of being glad that Angelo’s finally out of their lives. She later apologizes however.

Bay and Emmett go to Angelo’s apartment on a search for a phone number for his mother so they can call her and let her know what’s happening. While searching the apartment they find Angelo’s last will and testament. Surprisingly, Angelo states that in the case that he can no longer function or make choices for himself he would like to be taken off ventilation. Bay, who still doesn’t want to let go, doesn’t want to believe it and even suggests they pretend they never saw it. Oh, dear. Thankfully Emmett is able to talk some sense into her and they bring the will to the hospital where Regina is forced to face the truth as well.

Realizing what Angelo would have wanted they agree to take Angelo off of the ventilator and donate his viable organs. Bay then calls Angelo’s mother in France and tells her the bad news. In a touching moment Bay and Daphne watch as Angelo’s mother says goodbye to him, in French, on the phone.

It is later when they’re talking to a different doctor(?) about what organs will be donated the family learns that Angelo suffered a brain aneurysm. The doctor suggests it could have been caused by extreme stress or anger or a number of other things. However, all Daphne can really hear is anger and once the deed is done Daphne rips into Regina blaming her for Angelo’s death.

Throughout the episode there was also a recurring flashback of Angelo and Regina in the hospital when he accused her of cheating. Towards the end Regina imagines a different ending where he doesn’t leave and they work it out instead wasting all those years apart. Daphne also imagines Angelo coming in on her wedding day and seeing her in her dress. Basically there were a bunch of scenes that made me cry.

As I remain in denial it seems that Angelo is really gone and I will never understand why the writers did this to me. Still this was a very deep and thought provoking episode that I wasn’t expecting from Switched at Birth. The acting was superb and despite all my tears it was a great episode.

Check out the preview for next week below.

Source for Photos/GIFs: ABCFamily and Tumblr

Switched at Birth 3X06 Recap

Posted on February 18, 2014 by Zakiya N. Jamal in TV

(Warning: This post will contain spoilers. Read at your own risk)

This week on Switched at Birth Bank shippers got what they’ve been all waiting for: the kiss! Yes Bay finally recognized that she does in fact have feelings for Tank and we all know Tank had feelings for her, that was a given from the get go.

However, what was a surprise is Tank’s fraternity’s “dog fight”. Bay learns about the party from Mary Beth who was invited to attend by one of the guys in Tank’s frat, which leads Bay (in classic Bay fashion) to ask why she wasn’t invited.

The truth then comes out that the fraternity (Omega Psi) has planned this “dog fight” in which each guy is supposed to bring an ugly girl. This is of course ridiculous because Mary Beth is gorgeous, which Bay points out. This leads to a fight between Bay and Tank because although Tank disagrees with the frat’s idea he still wants to be a part of it. Bay then storms out, not knowing if she can date a guy in a frat like that.

Although Tank tells her not to, Bay of course tells Mary Beth which she has every right to do (sisters before misters always). Later, Tank goes back to the Kennish house and apologizes to Bay and tells her that he anonymously told the Inter-Fraternity Council about the “dog fight”. Though Bay is hesitant she decides to give Tank a chance.

Even though I am still a die hard Bemmett fan I have to say I’m glad this Bank ship finally set sail. I think Tank is a really sweet guy and as Bay said herself, that’s what she needs right now.

Meanwhile, Daphne is dealing with her love-triangle. Though she is technically dating Jorge she clearly still has feelings for Campbell and everyone knows it, including Jorge. This becomes especially evident when Daphne decides to throw Campbell a surprise 21st birthday party and invites all his snow boarding buddies; even Campbell’s (hateful) ex-girlfriend comes.

Daphne’s feelings for Campbell become explicitly clear when Campbell wants to go snowboarding with his body that could lead him to have a irrevocable brain injury if he gets hurt. Campbell and Daphne have a fight (in front of Jorge) in which Daphne says, “I care about you!”. Campbell initially chooses to go but then quickly comes back realizing it’s probably not the best idea. Daphne is ecstatic which finally leads Jorge to ask if she has feelings for Campbell. Thankfully, Daphne is honest and says she has feelings for both of them and she needs to make a choice. Which led Jorge to leave, telling her to let him know when she came to a decision. Basically:

Daphne better figure it out soon before she loses both guys. I, for one, am on team Jorge but that’s just my personal opinion.

In parent world, this one was all about the Kennishs as both parents were keeping secrets. Kathryn was hiding the truth about what her novel was really about and John was neglecting to mention that Janice, Toby’s mother-in-law, kissed him. Talk about awkward.

Of course as it goes with all secrets, both of these secrets are revealed, leading to John being kicked out of the house and staying with Toby who’s not happy about it at all. Though we all know it was Janice that initiated the kiss I think we can all agree that John has been acting like a dick (more than usual) lately and hopefully this time away will teach him a lesson like his heart attack did with Regina. Only time will tell.

Next week’s episode looks like it’s going to be major. Bay might lose her ability to do art (at least with her right hand – possible story line?) which would be a huge bummer considering she wants to go Pratt and art is her life. Also the drama between the Kennish parents will continue and Regina might have to figure out what’s more important: her morals or her job. Also, Daphne seems to be in a pickle that could lead to someone’s death? Watch the preview below and comment your thoughts. (Side note: Why do these previews always have to be so overly dramatic? Or is it just me?)

Switched at Birth 3X04 Recap

Posted on February 4, 2014February 18, 2014 by Zakiya N. Jamal in TV

This is episode was awesome, filled with twists I actually wasn’t expecting.

First, all the Bemmett feels!!! The promo last week of course had us all believing that Bemmett would be rekindling their love but sadly we were all hoodwinked. Instead, Emmett is now online dating this girl named, Mandy, which makes Bay very jealous. Like one of those crazy girls jealous. It also doesn’t helped that she got an email from Ty which just reminds her of the other guy that cheated on her (supposedly).

All these emotions eventually leads to Bay starting a fight with Emmett while they star gaze which leads her to kissing him. Emmett pushes her away (with some hesitation I think) making Bay angry because she doesn’t understand how he could’ve cheated on her but not on this Mandy chick. Clearly Bay hasn’t really forgiven Emmett which he points out. After breaking the camera Emmett needed to do his project the fight is over leaving all of us feeling like we were robbed.

That is until Bay apologizes to Emmett, giving him some photos for his project. She also states that she will never bring up the “Simone, cheating thing” ever again so that maybe one day . . . Well I guess we’ll just have to wait in see. Here’s to hoping there’ll be more Bemmett in our future.

Meanwhile Daphne is dealing with her own love issues. She’s trying to keep her crush on Campbell in check because of the girlfriend she just found out about but that’s easier said than done. But then what better way to get over one guy than to move onto another? Enter Jorge, a nurse at the clinic, who invites Daphne to his sister’s engagement party.

All goes well until Jorge’s sister realizes that it was Daphne who blackmailed Senator Coto and eventually led to his resign. Jorge’s sister basically gives Daphne hell, claiming Coto was on his way to being the first Latino governor of Kansas. Jorge didn’t come to Daphne’s defense leading her to storm out and straight onto a basketball court with Campbell where he then tries to kiss her. So much for staying away.

Daphne, however, pulls away before kissing can ensue, reminding Campbell he’s already in a relationship. Campbell then states that he likes Daphne and wants to be with her and just has to “figure things out” whatever that even means. Daphne’s not having any of it however and storms out of there (she does a lot of storming out this episode).

Back at the hospital Jorge apologizes for leaving Daphne out to dry with his sister which Daphne accepts and leads to a quick make out session in the office. Now that Daphne’s figured out who her new boyfriend of the season all should be right in the world, right? Of course not. As soon as she’s done kissing Jorge, Campbell informs her that he’s now a free man and is single to mingle. Oh dear! Seems like Daphne has a choice to make. Who will she choose? I’m personally rooting for Jorge but who knows?

While the teens deal with their love drama the adults are having their own issues. John is upset that Katherine is doing her own thing and decides to do something solo as well: get a motorcycle. Not his best idea. The bike doesn’t last long as he wipes out and destroys it. This leads him to tell Katherine that he won’t be running for reelection (thank God!).

Regina and Angelo are having money issues as Angelo finally has to admit that they have less money than he originally led Regina to believe. Regina then asks her new partner, Wes, to chip in so she can buy K&D, her new shop. Regina has also convinced Wes to help her renovate an auditorium in East River Side which leads Wes to get the even bigger idea of renovating the whole area which would lead to the buy out of many of the storefronts Regina grew up with. Oops. Seems like Regina has found herself in a pickle. I wonder how this one will work out. Will she choose to keep her hometown the way it is or the money? Only time will tell.

Here’s the promo for next week. Looks like there’ll be even more drama and maybe something happens to Bay? We shall see.