Tear Jerker / The Little Mermaid (1992)

• The deaf mermaid Gabriella was based on a real deaf girl, a fan of the show who died during the first season's run. In her first appearance, "Wish Upon a Starfish", she's heartbroken to realize that the great wishing starfish can't actually grant wishes, which means that she'll never be granted a voice. As it turns out, she doesn't feel she can fully express herself without one. Luckily, Ariel reassures her that her sign language is as beautiful and expressive as speech would be.
• In "Charmed" where Ariel feels she can't go home because of the human bracelet got stuck on her arm and she doesn't want her father angry with her.
  Ariel: I... I can't go home.

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