it means everything goes back to normal.Come from Away · 2021 — Chapter 22 of 22 · 4'20" · B1
Gander Remembers the Plane People, Explained: a big break
Ten years after 9/11 stranded thousands of passengers in Gander, the town welcomes the "plane people" back. The closing lines say it best: "Tonight we honor what was lost. But we also commemorate what we found." Letters, donations and reunions show what those five days left behind.
What happens
On the tenth anniversary, the town of Gander remembers the day dozens of diverted planes brought nearly seven thousand strangers to Newfoundland. Passengers have kept in touch, sent gifts, and returned for reunions. The town honors what was lost that day, and also celebrates the friendships it found.
Listen for
a big breakgo back to normalcome to visithonor what was lost
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Phrase of the scene
a big break
大好机会；事业上的重大转机
因为她是镇上唯一的记者，握有独家影像，全国电视台找上门来，这本是大好机会。
That interview was her big break.
Also in this scene
- go back to normal
return to the usual state
- come to visit
travel to see someone
- honor what was lost
pay respect to what was lost
Everything marked in this scene
36 notes across 84 lines
when-clause
it means everything goes back to normal.liaison
it means everything goes back to normal.-Look at it from my perspective. -Will you look at it from my perspective?-We've been coming to the table. -We've been coming to the table too!We just opened the suggestion box.Donations of all kinds.Ralph the cocker spaniel went on to become a champion show dog!Ralph the cocker spaniel went on to become a champion show dog!And Unga the rare bonobo chimpanzee arrived safely at the Columbus Zoo.And soon after, she had a baby, which they named Gander.It was a big break,but I didn't really like shoving microphones into people's faceswhen they were going through so much, so I stayed here in Gander.And I'm still here today on the tenth anniversary.On the tenth anniversary, from all around the world, we welcome back the plane people.On the tenth anniversary, from all around the world, we welcome back the plane people.-Welcome to the rock -I'm an islanderflap
-Welcome to the rock -I'm an islanderYou could keep on heading east But there's an ocean in the wayWhere everything is meant to be But nothing goes as plannedAnd the drunkest fellas in the room Are playing in the bandAnd the drunkest fellas in the room Are playing in the bandpresent continuous
And the drunkest fellas in the room Are playing in the bandWith all the new security, kids aren't even allowed up to the cockpit anymore.Of course, on my retirement flight,now worth over a million dollars.I bring out the Irish whiskey, and we have ourselves a toast.Nick and I just couldn't make the long-distance relationship work.Come on in. The door's open.liaison
Come on in. The door's open.The donation we are most honored by just arrived today.one of
Newfoundland is one of the only places outside of the United StatesTonight we honor what was lost.what-clause
Tonight we honor what was lost.But we also commemorate what we found.Gander Remembers the Plane People, explained
What's really going on
The finale refuses to choose between mourning and gratitude. "Tonight we honor what was lost," the company sings, then immediately adds, "but we also commemorate what we found." The two halves matter equally: the day brought real grief, and it also produced a town that opened its doors to strangers and never quite closed them again. The small follow-ups do the emotional work, from a postcard thanking Beulah for her kindness to a rescued dog that becomes a champion, a baby named Gander, and a reporter who stays put instead of chasing the big break. What the town found is not a substitute for what was lost. It is simply what people made of it.
Theme
MemoryTen years on, the town keeps the story alive through letters, reunions and a shared anniversary.
FriendshipStrangers became friends for five days, and those bonds outlast the crisis that created them.
Listen for
- back to normal — liaison
- the rock — flap
- door's open — liaison
Tonight we honor what was lost.The anniversary's first half: a promise to remember the people and things 9/11 took.
But we also commemorate what we found.The second half turns the focus to what the town gained: hospitality, friendship, unexpected bonds.
Welcome to our island With its inlets and its baysA line from the closing song, greeting visitors to Newfoundland's coast and welcoming them in.
Where everything is meant to be But nothing goes as plannedThe song's wry view of island life: plans go wrong, yet somehow things work out.
Come on in. The door's open.A punchline in a knock-knock joke that doubles as the town's spirit: everyone is let in.
Welcome to the friends Who have come from awayThe show's title in song form, welcoming the outsiders who became part of the community.
Questions about this scene
What are the "come from aways" in the show?
It's the local Newfoundland term for people who come from elsewhere. On the anniversary the town welcomes back the stranded passengers who first arrived as come from aways.
Why is the tenth anniversary so important?
It marks ten years since 9/11, giving the town and the passengers a chance to reunite and remember both the loss and the friendships that began during the grounding.
What happened to the animals mentioned in the show?
The pets cared for during the grounding thrived: Ralph the cocker spaniel became a champion show dog, and Unga the bonobo reached a zoo safely.
Why does the reporter stay in Gander instead of taking the big break?
She doesn't want to shove microphones into people's faces while they're suffering, so she gives up the career-making opportunity and stays in the town she covered.
Come from Away · 22 chapters
All chapters →
Chapter 1a lay of the landGander Learns of the Emergency
Chapter 2shaking like a leafPlanes Land Unexpectedly in Gander
Chapter 3a state of emergencyGander Declares a State of Emergency
Chapter 4for the love of GodA Town Gathers Supplies
Chapter 5rumors start flyingPassengers Stuck on Planes for 28 Hours
Chapter 6make no mistakeWaiting on the Plane for News
Chapter 7left over fromPassengers Disembark into the Dark
Chapter 8hear a pin dropGander Finds Translators and Animals
Chapter 9speak the same languageLocals Drive Passengers to the Camp
Chapter 10to the ends of the earthGander Academy Becomes a Shelter
Chapter 11suit yourselfStranded Passengers Wait for News
Chapter 12make small talkGander Locals Take In the Passengers
Chapter 13praise be to GodThe Gayest Town in Newfoundland
Chapter 14there for meA Mother Waits and Tells Jokes
Chapter 15a moment of silenceA Gas Station Falls Silent
Chapter 16jump at one's own shadowA Fight Breaks Out in the Hallway
Chapter 17take the plungeThe Screech-In Ceremony
Chapter 18Don't be a strangerGander Says Goodbye to the Visitors
Chapter 19take seriouslyA Muslim Passenger Is Searched
Chapter 20seize the momentDiane and Nick at the Lookout
Chapter 21ground zeroThe Aftermath Back Home
Watching · Chapter 22a big breakGander Remembers the Plane PeopleThat's all 22 chapters of this film