Slayerfan714

Carry on.

ollibear

Nobody has vented yet, so I thought I would start the conversation. I miss the ASL. I didn't realize how important it is to me, until we experienced this summer season. Now, I cannot wait to get back to Carlton. The ASL is truly an integral part of my enjoyment of this show, now. And I love that it is!

Slayerfan714

Same here!

I really have missed it. A lot. I too can't wait for summer to end and for them to get back to school. I have missed seeing the characters sign. I also hate how everyone feels so disconnected. I didn't love how some of the characters were treated during Uprising, but it brought all of these characters together. Bay, Emmett, Daphne especially.

I want more family scenes too. I miss the awkward family dinners. That's the heart of the show. The intensity coming from J&K and Regina when they butt heads over co-parenting, all of those emotions about feeling displaced in your child's life, that is extremely important to the story.

Also, it's been nearly 50 episodes, Monday will mark the 50th episode of this show, and I feel like we have yet to see a true Daphne/Bay/Toby hangout scene. When Bay came back from the Gallapagos and Daphne and Toby were in the pool, she goes to them, "What up, sibbies?"

I thought it was cute that she referred to them as sibbies. I want more of the Kennish-Vasquez kids hanging out. The three of them are going to be in each others lives for the rest of their lives. It's true that Bay and Daphne aren't bio sisters and Bay and Toby aren't bio bro and sis either, but I wish that dynamic would grow so that they do feel like siblings. It's odd. Three teenagers in one place and they never ever hang out.

More scenes where the characters are involved in the other character stories. Not off on their own and secluded.

cassias

It's a bit predictable of me to say that I miss all the ASL, but oh well, I'll say it. I miss the ASL. Hell, I even miss the sim-com, and I never thought I would say that.

I want more Emmett and his family. I want to see Bay's ASL come on leaps and bounds (if this is as a result of more time with Emmett, all the better). I want to see Travis (and Bay) teaching Mary Beth ASL. I want to see Natalie, Matthew et al back at school (Jackson too, because heaven knows it's time that boy made an appearance). I want (I think) to see Melody date over-chirpy audiologist Gabe. There's some good ASL to be had there. Sean McGowan's signing is pretty proficient.

I completely missed that "What's up, sibbies?" line from Bay in 1.23. I often think I should watch all US TV with closed captions switched on But I want to see groups of teens from the show socialising together. And more family scenes. And yes, just lots more interconnectedness. Perhaps it's inevitable, but this last half has felt so disconnected, in terms of the interaction between core characters.

Ultimately, I'm hopeful that the renewed routine of the school year will straighten things out a bit. There is a little voice in my head telling my I am crazy to expect great things. There's a rival voice, though, telling me that the writers, cast and crew are capable of magic, and they can yet deliver. For now, I am listening hard to the second voice


ETA: I know I am THE most hopeless person when it comes to getting to grips with this board, but I would rather like an avatar, and haven't a clue where to begin. Anyone fancy helping me out with an idiot's guide?

Slayerfan714

Yes to all of this. It's where the heart of the show lies. Otherwise, it's sadly another teen soap that isn't really much different than others.

What made it easy to distinguish from all the other shows was all of these aspects. Deaf/hearing, family, identity, and really two families who never would have met under any other circumstances becoming one big cohesive unit and learning to negotiate the awkwardness and lack of comfort that comes from it.

Part of me hopes it's a creative decision and they'll rectify their mistakes and not the network interfering and telling them to veer away from the Deaf culture etc. That happened with another show of mine where the network wanted them to become more teen based instead of what they were and as a result, the second season felt like it's own show. How sad.

2A had more of the family theme and Deaf culture and Deaf/hearing conflict, so I am not completely at a loss yet. It could be they just wanted a summer season and found it difficult to join everyone together. Now that summer is ending and we should see the girls back in school, I am a bit more hopeful.

Cassias (or should I call you Carrie?) very simple! You can either go to our icons thread and download an icon or choose one that is from Either way, all you have to do is go to your "User CP" on the left hand side of the screen. When you do that, you'll see "settings & options" and then "edit avatar." Click on that. From there, either pick from the selection on there or upload one you have downloaded

I hope that helped!

AnneH

ugh yes i miss the ASL so much!

watching jace and daphne sim com all summer is not the same as watching daphne/emmett or emmett/melody scenes. plus i really do miss watching bay sign.

there has not been enough this summer.

cassias

That is extremely helpful, thanks, Alyssa. Now all I need to do is to choose an icon. What could be easier? Haha!

Please feel free to call me Carrie

I wonder if the creative team realises just how much ASL (and also Deaf/hearing relationships) mean to the audience of this show, even for many of us for whom it is not (anywhere near) our first language. They must surely have an idea, but I wonder if they know the extent of it. It really is what sets Switched at Birth apart.

Not sure if anyone would have seen this article from earlier in the week, which draws attention to SAB, along with rapper Sean Forbes:

Deaf rapper, 'Switched at Birth' actors now mainstream stars | Fox News

It's easy for fans of the show to forget just how groundbreaking it has been. Is being, when it gets things right.

Slayerfan714

I know! There are some really great ones in the general category on here, but then the ones we have on our icon thread are great, too.

I wonder the same thing. I really truly hope they do! It is absolutely what sets it apart.

I posted that article in our news thread earlier this week. It's awesome! Love it!

cassias

Oh, somehow I managed to miss your posting the link on here (see, what did I say about being hopeless LOL?)! It was all over my twitter timeline, though.

I'd like an Bay/Emmett or Emmett icon, so the thread here is probably the best to look at. Looking for something fairly recent too, I think. Ta for your help

Slayerfan714

It happens! No worries. Always good to have it posted again

There's some good ones on the icon thread I made some, but others are better.

cassias

There, that's better I chose one of yours. I really love that look on Bay's face the instant before she realises what they're doing. And such a cool ring she's wearing.

Should I credit you somewhere?

Slayerfan714

Talk about being stupid. I totally edited your post by accident with my response.

Welcome to the world of avatars and icons!

No, no need for credit

cassias

Ha, SO pleased it's not just me making daft mistakes!

I feel more complete here, now I have an icon - ta

ollibear

Like Alyssa, I agree with you, Carrie, about the ASL and the interaction between core characters. I am listening to my hopeful voice, too, because I DO know the magic is possible.

I have not been doing very well with reviewing fan fiction and responding to Private Messages lately. I mean to do it. My heart is in the right place. I come online specifically TO do it. But this deep sadness about Emmett & Bay holds me back sometimes. Isn't that the silliest thing ever?

I know it's a television show. Why does it feel like so much more in my heart?

Alyssa, Donna, and Carrie, I am sorry for not responding much lately. I am grateful for your kindness. Thank you!

I am not sad as I go about my day. I only feel sad when I think about Emmett & Bay. It's making it difficult for me to enjoy fan fiction lately. And I miss that.

Oddly enough, I am not sad when I am watching Switched at Birth, because the show does a good job of keeping Emmett and Bay separated. So there's no reason to feel sad during an episode. I was really sad after "Drive in the Knife" but none of the other episodes have saddened me that much.

Slayerfan714

It's not silly.

You get invested, which is the point of a show.

I hope you do get the spark back in you to read some fanfic though. I always love your reviews. They keep me motivated, but you do it on your own timetable and when you feel ready to.