My level is pink and I lost all prefab connections

I dunno if it will work but you can try going to Assets/Reimport All

I did that but to no effect. :(

As you note, pink is just the "hey, I don' t have a proper material" color.

Oh, I think the links are gone forever (but easily relinked.) Links are all in "Save Scene." Unity tends to save Assets frequently, and only scene data when you switch away or quit (or, click on Save.)