Table Read: "ROOMS OF EXPERIENCE" – Act 3 (Jan 27, 2026)
Overview
Act 3 of "Rooms of Experience" on the Table Read podcast delivers a heart-wrenching, deeply personal courtroom drama. The story reaches its emotional climax, blending the perspectives of Ada—a devoted mother who faces trial for ending her severely autistic son’s life—and Dana, the prosecutor hiding her own buried trauma as a mother. Through gripping performances, immersive sound, and complex dialogue, the act explores themes of parental love, sacrifice, guilt, the failures of institutions, and the difficult moral questions around disability, care, and choice.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Ada’s Testimony – The Mother’s Perspective
[00:51–06:27]
- Ada, on the stand, recounts the day she ended her son Teddy’s life, conveying it not as an act of malice, but as one of love and mercy.
- She references a traumatic news story that catalyzed her fears for Teddy’s fate if left alone after her death.
- Ada justifies her decision, expressing worry over institutional inadequacies and describing the home as Teddy's only sanctuary.
- She candidly admits the conflicted emotions—wishing sometimes he didn’t have autism, but never wishing he wasn’t her son.
Ada: “Where else in the world would they let him play piano at 2:00 clock in the morning, if he woke up from a bad dream?” [03:58]
Ada: “But having Teddy in my life, even with autism, is always what I would choose over never having had him at all.” [05:22]
2. Prosecutor Dana Challenges Ada’s Motives
[07:14–10:11]
- Dana presses Ada on whether she fully explored other care options, accusing her of acting without giving alternatives a chance.
- She asserts that Ada unilaterally decided Teddy couldn’t adapt, ignoring potential solutions.
Dana: “You murdered your son because you alone decided that your son's life would be worthless without you.” [07:50]
3. Flashbacks: Care, Trauma, and Bond
[08:11–10:00]
- Flashbacks show Ada trying to coax Teddy outside, revealing his profound sensitivities and her heartbreak when traumatizing him unintentionally.
- Ada’s deep empathy and regret are palpable, reinforcing her claim that every action was motivated by her perception of Teddy’s best interest.
4. Philosophical, Moral, and Emotional Complexity
[10:11–13:42]
- Ada addresses the jury and Dana directly, offering an impassioned explanation about the unknowable realities of living as a caregiver, and the personal toll of her choice.
- She affirms the worth of Teddy’s life, regardless of his disability, and accepts whatever judgment must come.
Ada: “We all have our own peace to make in this world, however we may find it.” [11:22]
5. Expert Testimony: Dr. Ogden
[14:02–19:02]
- Dr. Monique Ogden, an autism expert, testifies that with proper preparation, someone like Teddy could adapt to a new environment.
- Under tough cross-examination, Ogden admits to having little direct experience with cases as extreme as Teddy’s, weakening her certainty.
Dr. Ogden: “It would take some time, but with intense therapy, I'm sure it would not only be possible, but a highly successful transition in which he could thrive.” [15:44]
Alexis (Defense): “Just answer the question, yes or no, Doctor, do you have any actual experience with a case as extreme as this?”
Ogden: “No.” [18:43–18:52]
6. Closing Arguments: Compassion vs. Law
[20:31–25:33]
- Prosecution (Dana): Argues emotion aside, it was premeditated murder.
Dana: “When you cut through all the emotion, all the heartbreak, you're still left with murder, plain and simple.” [20:34]
- Defense (Alexis): Evokes Buddhist teachings on compassionate acts, arguing that Ada’s actions stemmed from love, not malice.
Alexis: “Ada Wells lived with her son... in such a room, a room where none of us have ever been for 65 years. Not because she had to, not out of obligation, but out of love.” [22:10]
- Prosecution Rebuttal: Returns focus to Ada's distrust of systems and the critical moral issue: she made a decision that was not hers to make.
7. Dana’s Personal Demons Revealed
[27:02–34:25]
- Dana, breaking professional boundaries, visits Ada to confess her own story: after giving birth to a daughter with Down syndrome, she abandoned her, unable to accept her own conflicted feelings.
- Through this parallel, the story uncovers the universality and isolation of parental guilt and shame, especially around disabled children.
Dana: “I wasn't worthy of being a mother and I felt guilty and ashamed and lost... I couldn't face anyone.” [31:52]
Ada: “There is an enormous sense of loss that comes with being the parent of a child with a disability. It never fades, but in time you learn to live with it.” [33:37]
8. Resolution: Ada’s Death & Forgiveness
[35:32–37:39]
- On the day the verdict is due, Ada is found to have died peacefully in her garden. The case is dismissed.
- Dana is left with an unresolved sense of loss and a final letter from Ada, catalyzing her long-delayed grief.
9. Dana’s Reconciliation and New Beginnings
[41:24–end]
- We witness Dana beginning to reconnect with her own daughter, Maddie, now seven, on the Challenger League ballfield. The metaphor of “Holland” vs. “Italy” narrates the acceptance of an unexpected life path—a famous metaphor in the disability community.
Ada (Voiceover): “But if you spend your life mourning the fact you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things about Holland.” [43:08]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)
- Ada: "She knew it was her time... She was in the garden. Looked like she had just laid down and went to sleep in a big hollowed out spot. A little bigger than she was. Where Teddy used to lay." — Alexis, after Ada's death [36:05]
- Ada: “Every time something upset him, he would draw. It's how he worked through it.” [12:49]
- Ada: “Not all choices are permanent.” [34:25]
- Dana: “My name's Maddie. What's yours?” — Maddie, re-introducing herself to the mother who left her [45:37]
Important Segment Timestamps
- Opening, Case Recap & Ada’s Stand: [00:04–06:27]
- Prosecution Challenge & Flashbacks: [07:14–10:00]
- Ada’s Closing Statement to Dana/Jury: [10:11–11:27]
- Expert Testimony – Dr. Ogden: [14:02–19:02]
- Closing Arguments – Both Sides: [20:31–25:33]
- Dana’s Personal Confession to Ada: [27:02–34:25]
- Ada’s Death & Legal Resolution: [35:32–37:39]
- Dana’s Departure & Letter: [37:41–41:24]
- Voiceover on "Holland" Metaphor and Ballfield Reunion: [41:24–end]
Tone and Performance
The performances are emotionally raw, intimate, and humane, with intense exchanges that alternate between compassion and accusation. The sound design and music accentuate the underlying sorrow and hope, immersing the listener in the emotional world of both Ada and Dana. The language closely mirrors the unvarnished, often conflicted experiences of caregivers and parents of disabled children—painful, honest, and resonant.
Conclusion
Act 3 of "Rooms of Experience" is a powerful meditation on loss, love, difficult moral choices, and the sometimes invisible burdens borne by caregivers. By letting two wounded mothers share their stories, the episode offers neither easy judgement nor tidy answers—but instead extends empathy, understanding, and the possibility of forgiveness and connection, even in the wake of tragedy.