Yeah, I ended up muting my TV during the commercials, just so I would stop jumping out of my seat every time there was a break (probably I keep the volume on my TV too high).  Though it was cool Gaullaudet and that Purple company doing tech for the deaf got some play during those breaks.

This episode was everything I wanted it to be, and then some.  From deftly folding character conflicts into a larger debate about the value of inclusion and exclusion, to that piercing siren at episode's end uniting two worlds, I was all in.  As a hard of hearing woman, I rarely find things that represent my…

Vera Drake is a must for this list, too,  Mike Leigh's direction is warm and wide-eyed, as always, Imelda Staunton is stunning as a woman trying to do the right thing at the wrong time.

Vera Drake is a must for this list, too,  Mike Leigh's direction is warm and wide-eyed, as always, Imelda Staunton is stunning as a woman trying to do the right thing at the wrong time.

Ron once again wearing his pirate costume also made me extremely happy.

Ron once again wearing his pirate costume also made me extremely happy.

My twin brother and his giant group of buddies wanted to watch a movie when we were on break from college.  My brother picked out "A History of Violence" at the video store, to the scorn of friends and my warning about some intense sex scenes.  Nevertheless, I watched that movie in a room with 30 dudes.  And listened…

My twin brother and his giant group of buddies wanted to watch a movie when we were on break from college.  My brother picked out "A History of Violence" at the video store, to the scorn of friends and my warning about some intense sex scenes.  Nevertheless, I watched that movie in a room with 30 dudes.  And listened…

This third cycle really ended up being about parents, in a way I think must have been planned.  Unfortunately, Bay and Daphne got the short end of the stick, plot-wise, because the parents needed somebody to corral.   John's progression into being the father Bay needed, mirrored by Angelo's violent sincerity somehow…

This third cycle really ended up being about parents, in a way I think must have been planned.  Unfortunately, Bay and Daphne got the short end of the stick, plot-wise, because the parents needed somebody to corral.   John's progression into being the father Bay needed, mirrored by Angelo's violent sincerity somehow…

I have always absolutely loved Jenna.  Jane Krakowski's utter serious sellings of hilariously ludicrous lines has kept me on a soapbox for her and Jenna for years.

I have always absolutely loved Jenna.  Jane Krakowski's utter serious sellings of hilariously ludicrous lines has kept me on a soapbox for her and Jenna for years.

One thing I will say about what's been a toes-curlingly uncomfortable season is that tonight I realized just how much like sisters Bay and Daphne are at this point.  I couldn't pinpoint an exact transition period for them, and that felt completely right.  Their scene in the kitchen and the stealthy signing trial scene…

One thing I will say about what's been a toes-curlingly uncomfortable season is that tonight I realized just how much like sisters Bay and Daphne are at this point.  I couldn't pinpoint an exact transition period for them, and that felt completely right.  Their scene in the kitchen and the stealthy signing trial scene…

I was fine with the game-winning run because it allowed Max to talk about Victor's batting average and his "retirement" from the game.

I was fine with the game-winning run because it allowed Max to talk about Victor's batting average and his "retirement" from the game.

As a hard of hearing person (though not someone with hearing loss as serious as the characters on this show), I always appreciate the writers' sensitive and practical exploration of Daphne's challenges when navigating other people's assumptions about her.  With hearing loss, there is not only a fair amount of teaching…

As a hard of hearing person (though not someone with hearing loss as serious as the characters on this show), I always appreciate the writers' sensitive and practical exploration of Daphne's challenges when navigating other people's assumptions about her.  With hearing loss, there is not only a fair amount of teaching…