After everything they’ve been through, Episode 51 of "Its Okay to Not Be Okay" marks the long-awaited reunion of Patrick (Joshua Garcia), Mia (Anne Curtis), and Matmat (Caro Aquino). The healing trio is once again complete.
The reunion begins with a steak date as Matmat steps up and fully embraces his role as the “older” brother, inviting Patrick out for lunch and treats him to a hearty steak meal at a restaurant. It’s so heartwarming to watch how he fusses over Patrick just to make sure he’s happy. After eating, he even pulls out his trusty tin can of savings and gives Patrick some allowance for his hospital shifts, making Patrick smile at this sweet little gesture.
The two are surprised, though, when their bill suddenly doubles, prompting Matmat to quickly calculate and realize that an extra order has been added, which turns out to be Mia’s, whose playful way of getting his attention again is by asking for allowance as well, saying she also wants to have a “manong” like him.
Patrick ends up paying for Mia’s meal, his expression apologetic as Matmat urges him to head home. But much to their joy, Matmat also calls out to Mia and tells her to come right away whenever her older brother is looking for her. At last, viewers can breathe easy and feel happy again, seeing the trio whole in a scene that’s subtly executed but deeply moving.
Very natural, too, is the 'kilig' in Madeth (Xyriel Manabat) and Jason (Francis Magundayao)'s scene, with Jason appealing to Nanay Li (Rio Locsin) to let him make a move on her daughter Gemma (Kaori Oinuma), yet he seems to be the only one unaware that while he is talking about pursuing Gemma, his small, instinctive gestures reveal his concern for Madeth, as if it comes naturally for him to look after her without even realizing it. He pours water into her glass, gives her clean utensils, serves her food, and even stops her from bumping her head under the table as she picks up a fallen spoon.
Nanay Li notices it right away, joking that she no longer needs to meddle in Jason’s moves because it’s already clear to her where, or rather, to whom, those moves are actually headed.
Meanwhile, Gemma’s face reveals a hint of jealousy after Vincent (Enchong Dee) excuses himself to return to Manila for Mia’s new endorsement, especially when Madeth reveals that the person Vincent will be meeting with is actually his ex-girlfriend. Gemma looks visibly affected, while Nanay Li can’t help but slip into full-on gossip mode, curious about Vincent’s past relationship.
Back at work, Mia and Matmat resume writing their book, but the process doesn’t go smoothly as Matmat insists on meddling with the characters, sparking bickering between the two that leaves Patrick amused as he watches from the sidelines. Later, even at OK Hospital, Matmat remains in such a good mood that it reminds Patrick of the story of “The Ugly Duckling,” about a duckling who runs away because he feels different from his siblings. Patrick realizes that the warmth of love is felt when there are older ones willing to embrace those who feel out of place.
Elsewhere in the hospital, Olivia (Maricel Laxa) reads aloud to Samuel (Michael De Mesa) from a poetry book titled “Ang Haplos ng Anino,” her eyes welling with tears as she wistfully says that life would have been happier if only the two of them were together in the "mansion." Eden (Agot Isidro) connects the dots, leading her to suspect that Olivia’s fondness for poetry may be proof that she is the one secretly sending love letters to Samuel.
Meanwhile, the episode cuts to more lighter moments with Matmat, who's still in a good mood even while sulking at Doc Anok (Bobot Mortiz), whom he now jokingly calls “Doc Scammer” for telling him he wouldn’t get paid unless he painted butterflies on the mural. Doc Anok explains that this was simply his way of encouraging Matmat to confront his fear, but Matmat insists that it would only worsen his trigger. When Doc Anok points out that Patrick is also getting affected by his trauma, however, Matmat begins to reconsider, as if realizing that maybe for his brother’s sake, it’s worth facing something he’s long been avoiding.
Will Matmat finally face his fear of butterflies?
Stay tuned for the nearing finale of "It’s Okay to Not Be Okay" on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live (KOL), A2Z, and TV5, weeknights at 8:45 PM. Catch it in advance on iWant.