Tuesdays with Morrie: The Audiovisual, Part Two Summary & Analysis

Because of the reception for the first Nightline show, Koppel returns to Morrie's house for a follow-up interview. This time, when the crew enters Morrie's house, they already feel like family, and Koppel is warmer. He conducts the interview in his shirt and tie, forgoing his suit jacket; Morrie wears a long-sleeved shirt despite the 90-degree weather outside. To warm up before the interview, Koppel and Morrie share stories about their childhood experiences with each other.

When they begin filming, Koppel remarks that Morrie looks and sounds fine, and Morrie agrees. Koppel inquires how Morrie knows that he's going downhill, to which Morrie responds that nobody but himself can know, but he is indeed declining. As he speaks, however, it becomes obvious that he's not waving his hands freely, and some words and sounds seem to be difficult to pronounce.

Morrie says that when he has visitors, he feels really good, and that his loving relationships maintain him. He admits to feeling depressed other days, and feeling dread when he sees that he's losing control of his hands, or that speaking or swallowing are becoming difficult. Morrie says the swallowing doesn't bother him, but his ability to speak and use his hands are essential parts of him, and are ways in which he gives to people. When Koppel asks how Morrie will “give” when he can't speak, Morrie shrugs and suggests that people will have to ask him yes or no questions. The answer makes Koppel smile.

Koppel asks Morrie about Morrie's friend, Maurie Stein, who is going deaf. Koppel wonders what it would be like for the two men to sit together, one who can't speak and one who can't hear. Morrie replies that they'll hold hands and feel love passing between them. He says that after 35 years of friendship, they don't need speech or hearing to feel love.

As the interview draws to a close, Morrie reads one of the letters he received after the first Nightline interview aired. It is from a teacher who teaches a special class for children who have lost a parent. After reading the letter, Morrie reads his reply to her. He wrote that he was very moved by her letter, and feels her work is very important. He says that he lost a parent very young, and at that point begins to choke up and cry. He continues reading, saying that he lost his mother when he was a child and it was very hard for him. He wishes he'd had a group like the teacher’s, and he would've joined because he was so lonely. Koppel interjects, asking Morrie if he still feels the pain of losing his mother 70 years ago. Morrie confirms that he does.