Fox’s Pitch will likely always be one of the shows many of us will miss, and it’s entirely because, from day one, the writing was as close to perfect as it gets. But this isn’t about the series—this is about Mike and Ginny’s phone call in “The Break” that still lives rent-free in my mind.
It’s rare to develop solid relationships within four episodes, but the potential romance aside, Pitch does an excellent job realistically painting the layers within characters. There’s a profound, undeniable connection between Mike and Ginny that resonates with the audience almost immediately, and it’s cemented with the phone call.
At the end of the day, it’s clear that not only are they teammates, but they’re close to becoming each other’s person. When Mike picked up the phone to call someone, it was easy to imagine that he’d call Amelia, but everything changed when Ginny picked up the phone. And so much of it is due to the infectious heart she brings as she steps foot onto the field.
It’s been four episodes at this point, but it’s already clear that Mike’s torn and broken—his physical state is draining him, and not having someone to talk to is another form of darkness to cope with. But his choice to uplift Ginny instead reveals such remarkable character. It isn’t surprising why they’re so easy to root for.
He wants the absolute best for her, and she wants the same for him. Mike and Ginny speak highly of one another and believe in one another, but it’s the effortless comfort they find in each other that’s so special. The ability to laugh freely and openly even while they don’t realize what’s happening.
And that’s perhaps why the phone call is so poignantly beautiful. Mike and Ginny aren’t “all good,” but they’ll be okay. In their shared vulnerability, it’s effortless to laugh with one another—to be themselves. And if that’s not the most evident hint of something magical blossoming between them, then I don’t know what is.
Bunbury and Gosselaar have developed such riveting chemistry where even their momentary silence speaks wonders. They give their characters realistic depth during this conversation by showcasing how easily they can impact one another. Physically apart, but they’d never been closer. Physically apart, but the other’s voice on the line acts as an unexpected lullaby they never knew they needed. Through their calming expressions and infectious laughter, profound admiration effortlessly reveals that even during the most solemn nights, they could find serenity with each other.
Sometimes, there’s nothing more intimate than a phone call in the late hours of the night. A moment to let yourself be another’s anchor while they carry you through the darkness. It’s the kind of moment that makes it clear that finding themselves on the other line is the only place they’d rather be right now. At this point, neither Mike nor Ginny realize that there will be something more—it’s just the beginning, but it’s a powerful force that promises they can always rely on each other.