"Setting the Record Straight"

Rhett walked onto the set of Good Mythical Morning, a determined look on his face. He was ready to tackle the misconceptions and conspiracy theories that had been circulating about Link's condition. He took a seat next to Link, who was looking a bit nervous but also relieved. "Welcome back to Good Mythical Morning, everyone," Rhett said, smiling at the camera. "Today, we're going to address some of the ridiculous comments we've been seeing online about Link's condition. We're going to set the record straight, and show you that Link is more than just a viral sensation." Link nodded, and Rhett continued. "So, let's get started. There are a lot of misconceptions out there about what's wrong with Link, and I want to clear up nine key differences between what people think happened to him and what's actually going on." Rhett picked up a whiteboard marker and began to draw on a nearby whiteboard. "Number one: people think that the experiment we did on the show somehow turned Link into a vegetable. But the truth is, Link has a condition called pseudobulbar affect, or PBA. It's a neurological disorder that causes involuntary laughing and crying. It's not something that can be 'cured' or 'reversed', but it can be managed with medication and therapy." Rhett turned to Link, who was watching him intently. "Link, can you show us what happens when you experience PBA?" Link nodded, and suddenly his face contorted into a comically exaggerated crying expression. Rhett and the camera crew burst out laughing, and Link couldn't help but join in. "See, it's not something that he can control," Rhett explained. "And it's not something that we're 'milking for sympathy or ratings'." Rhett wrote "PBA" on the whiteboard and moved on to the next point. "Number two: people think that Link is in a coma or vegetative state. But the truth is, Link is fully awake and aware of his surroundings. He can hear us, see us, and even respond to us when he's able to." Rhett turned to Link and said, "Hey, Link, can you tell us your favorite food?" Link thought for a moment before responding, "Tacos." Rhett grinned. "See, he's not in a coma. He's just... Link." Rhett wrote "Fully Awake and Aware" on the whiteboard and moved on. "Number three: people think that Link's brain is damaged from the experiment. But the truth is, Link's brain is actually healthy and intact. He just has a unique condition that affects his emotions." Rhett picked up a small device and held it up. "This is an EEG machine. It measures brain activity. We've had Link's brain activity monitored, and it's completely normal." Rhett demonstrated how the EEG machine worked, hooking it up to Link's head and showing the readings on a nearby screen. "Number four: people think that Link can't feel emotions. But the truth is, Link feels emotions just like the rest of us. He just has a harder time controlling them." Rhett turned to Link and said, "Link, can you tell us how you're feeling right now?" Link thought for a moment before responding, "I'm feeling a little anxious, but also kind of excited to be on the show." Rhett smiled. "See, he's feeling emotions. He's just... expressing them in a different way." Rhett wrote "Feels Emotions" on the whiteboard and moved on. "Number five: people think that Link is unable to think or reason. But the truth is, Link is actually very intelligent and can think critically. He just has a harder time expressing himself sometimes." Rhett pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to Link. "Link, can you solve this simple math problem for us?" Link took the paper and began to work on the problem. After a few moments, he looked up and said, "The answer is 42." Rhett grinned. "See, he's smart. He just... processes information differently." Rhett wrote "Intelligent and Able to Reason" on the whiteboard and moved on. "Number six: people think that Link is just pretending to be sick. But the truth is, Link's condition is very real. He's been diagnosed by multiple doctors and has been receiving treatment for years." Rhett showed a clip of Link's medical team talking about his condition and the treatment he was receiving. "Number seven: people think that Link is a burden to Rhett and the rest of us. But the truth is, Link is a valued member of our team and a dear friend. We love having him around and appreciate his unique perspective." Rhett turned to Link and said, "Link, you're not a burden to us, okay? You're family." Link smiled, looking relieved. Rhett wrote "Valued Member of Our Team" on the whiteboard and moved on. "Number eight: people think that Link's condition is contagious. But the truth is, PBA is not contagious. You can't catch it from Link, and he's not a risk to anyone else." Rhett demonstrated this point by touching Link's hand and then touching his own face. "See, I'm not suddenly going to start laughing uncontrollably." Rhett wrote "Not Contagious" on the whiteboard and moved on. "Number nine: people think that Link is somehow 'faking it' for attention. But the truth is, Link is just being himself. He's not trying to get sympathy or attention. He's just living with a condition that affects his emotions." Rhett looked directly into the camera. "I want to say something to all of you out there who have been commenting and sending us hate mail. Link is not a prop or a sideshow attraction. He's a person, and he deserves to be treated with dignity and respect." The camera crew applauded, and Link smiled, looking happy and relieved. Rhett put a hand on his shoulder. "Thanks for watching, everyone. We're glad we could set the record straight." The episode ended with a shot of Rhett and Link laughing and joking together, and a message on the screen that read "Link is more than just a condition. He's a person."