I have to admit, I wasn't entirely sold on Switched at Birth when it premiered in the summer on ABC Family. I liked it well enough, but I found myself slightly annoyed by some of the characters. However, it was summer time, so I decided to stick with it through its initial 10 episode run. And I'm so happy I did, because I really grew to love the show.
The premise of Switched at Birth is one that could have turned out to be silly. But the overall plot and the characters are handled so well that it's actually a wholesome family show with splashes of drama and character development. While doing a science experiment at her private school, Bay Kennish (Vanessa Marano) realizes that her blood type doesn't link her to her parents at all. Determined to get to the bottom of it, she pushes, until a DNA test reveals that she's not the biological daughter of her wealthy parents: Kathryn Kennish (Lea Thompson) and John Kennish (D.W. Moffett).
Soon, the Kennish family (rounded out by Bay's brother, Toby, played by Lucas Grabeel) learns that Bay was actually switched with another baby at the hospital when the girls were born. Enter Daphne Vasquez (Katie Leclerc) and her mother, Regina Vasquez (Constance Marie), a family from the "wrong side of the tracks". The Kennish family are dismayed to learn that Daphne is deaf, the result of an illness she contracted when she was a toddler. But while Bay is rebellious and sullen, Daphne is secure in herself, despite her disability.
The Kennish family is determined to get to know their biological daughter. But Kathryn and John seem to want the best of both worlds and want to continue to treat Bay as their daughter while also assimilating Daphne into their family. Regina, however, considers Daphne her daughter and wants little to do with the Kennish family and even her biological daughter, Bay. Soon, money problems necessitate the Vasquez family moving into the Kennish family guest house. Again, the whole situation could feel contrived, but you'll be interested in how this alters the family dynamics.
Switched at Birth shows us how real people would react in shocking circumstances. Kathryn and John are preoccupied with "fixing" Daphne and making her "normal", at least until Regina convinces them that being deaf is not something Daphne should be ashamed of. The somewhat antagonistic relationship between Bay and Daphne is realistic as each girl tries to figure out their place in this new family dynamic. Along the way, we're introduced to Emmett (Sean Berdy), a deaf friend of Daphne who is initially far less welcoming towards non-deaf people. Marlee Matlin also drops by every once in a while as Emmett's mother.
The drama ramps up as Bay decides to search for her biological father (who arrives on the scene towards the end of the initial 10 episode run). In addition, Kathryn is convinced that Regina is hiding secrets as the Kennish family battles the hospital over the mix-up.
Switched at Birth is a show that deserves your time and one that you will, I believe, find enjoyable. As I said, I'm glad I stuck with it. The show is currently on hiatus, but will be returning inthe new year to finish its first season run. Unfortunately, the DVD (released today), doesn't have any special features. But if you want to catch up on the show before its January return, then you should definitely invest in the DVD set.
You can order Switched at Birth: Volume 1 on DVD at Amazon
Switched at Birth returns to ABC Family with new episodes on January 3. Watch some clips below from the first half of the season.
