The BEST episodes of Switched at Birth
Every episode of Switched at Birth ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Switched at Birth!
Switched at Birth, a one-hour scripted drama, tells the story of two teenage girls who discover they were accidentally switched as newborns in the hospital. Bay Kennish grew up in a wealthy family with two parents and a brother, while Daphne Vasquez, who lost her hearing at an early age due to a case of meningitis, grew up with a single mother in a working-class neighborhood. Things come to a dramatic head when both families meet and struggle to learn how to live together for the sake of the girls.
#1 - Uprising
Season 2 - Episode 9 - Aired 3/4/2013
When news of the school's closing spreads throughout campus, Daphne leads the students of Carlton School for the Deaf in arranging a demonstration to take place on the eve of the "Romeo and Juliet" play, in which Daphne has the lead role. Meanwhile, as one of a handful of hearing students in the school, Bay's attempt to be part of the campaign is challenged.
#2 - Long Live Love
Season 5 - Episode 10 - Aired 4/11/2017
In the emotional 90-minute series finale of the award-winning drama, Kathryn becomes nostalgic when she realizes that it’s been five years since the switch was discovered and the two families started living together. As she searches for memories, Kathryn discovers a long buried family secret – stretching all the way back to the switch – that changes everything. Daphne competes against Mingo for a six-week paid internship in sports medicine. Bay is celebrated for her tattoo work in a magazine spread, but her struggle to prove herself as an artist to John threatens to destroy their relationship. Toby meets Amelia (guest star Lauren Potter, “Glee”), a young woman with Down Syndrome who changes his perception about his son’s future. Melody, Emmett and Travis make some major decisions about their lives, and Regina takes a chance on love.
#3 - And Life Begins Right Away
Season 3 - Episode 21 - Aired 8/18/2014
Everyone is looking forward to commencement until shocking news about Carlton threatens to overshadow their special day. Daphne fears her future is in jeopardy when her past catches up with her. John and Kathryn are not happy when they learn about Bay’s non-traditional post-graduation plans. Meanwhile, Mary Beth is pleased when Travis’s wish comes true.
#4 - Memory (The Heart)
Season 5 - Episode 7 - Aired 3/21/2017
In the series 100th episode, a mysterious young woman has Bay and Daphne flooded with memories of their deceased father Angelo, and they must decide if they should let her into their lives. Toby is caught between his mother’s wishes to baptize his son Carlton and his wife’s feelings about faith. Melody asks her sons to make amends so the family can be together for her birthday, but it might be too late.
#5 - Pandora's Box
Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 7/25/2011
As Bay and Emmett's relationship continues to get more serious she become conscious about his apparent love for Daphne. Meanwhile, Daphne is upset with Regina after learning the truth and spends the day hanging out with Wilke in her old neighborhood. During the Deposition, Kathyrn and John are blind-sided by what they learn and, later everyone confronts Regina over her lies and she comes clean about knowing all about the switch for the past 12 years and how. With no one but Toby willing to give her a chance she packs a few things and leaves.
#6 - And Always Searching for Beauty
Season 4 - Episode 20 - Aired 10/26/2015
Bay is thrilled by the opportunity to showcase her newest work in her first art show. Daphne interviews for an internship abroad that would bring her closer to Quinn, causing friction with Mingo. Kathryn’s frustrations with John come to a head when he storms out of a deal negotiation. Meanwhile, John and Kathryn confront Regina over Eric’s secret.
#7 - Departure of Summer
Season 2 - Episode 21 - Aired 8/19/2013
John and Kathryn contemplate telling Toby their true feelings about his decision to marry. Daphne must own up to her mistakes while Bay works on a plan to continue her relationship with Ty while he is overseas. Meanwhile, Angelo finds himself in over his head.
#8 - As the Shadows Deepen
Season 2 - Episode 18 - Aired 7/29/2013
When business at Maui, Kansas starts to slow, Bay coordinates a Deaf Day and works with Emmett to organize a special screening of “Deafenstein.” Daphne is shocked at what she discovers when she runs into Chef Jeff and John brings some business to Regina. Meanwhile, Toby tries to help Nikki cope with a family tragedy from her past.
#9 - The Image Disappears
Season 3 - Episode 16 - Aired 7/14/2014
The Kennish and Vasquez families rally to support a loved one who is in critical condition. Amid the emotion, blame is placed, decisions must be made and lives are forever changed.
#10 - Black and Gray
Season 4 - Episode 6 - Aired 2/10/2015
Bay's very personal matter goes public when the UMKC administration gets wind of the situation, and an investigation is launched. Now the unwitting participants must face the strong opinions of others, and face their own beliefs about what really happened.
#11 - There is My Heart
Season 4 - Episode 10 - Aired 3/10/2015
Intent on making their relationship work, Bay surprises Emmett with a visit to Los Angeles while he’s shooting his first big class project. Daphne is distraught with her performance in school and the idea of letting Bay and her family down. Kathryn and Toby get the chance to have their musical produced. Meanwhile, Regina is shocked by Eric’s reaction to a buyout offer on the coffeeshop.
#12 - Four Ages in Life
Season 5 - Episode 6 - Aired 3/7/2017
Daphne takes a volunteer job at a clinic for extra credit and comes face-to-face with her old mentor, Dr. Jackson. While eager to mend fences with him, she grows alarmed when it becomes obvious he’s having trouble properly treating his patients.
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#13 - Street Noises Invade the House
Season 1 - Episode 30 - Aired 10/22/2012
The Kennish and Vasquez families are starting to fall apart. Daphne and Jeff's relationship is exposed, causing them major problems. Bay and Zarra take off without telling anyone. Meanwhile, the trial reaches a shocking conclusion.
#14 - A Mad Tea Party
Season 4 - Episode 19 - Aired 10/19/2015
Bay takes over hosting Lily’s baby shower at the Kennish house when Regina is pulled away by an emergency with Will. At the shower, sparks fly between Kathryn and Professor Marillo, with Daphne caught in the middle. Lily stresses over how others will take the news of her decision.
#16 - Surprise
Season 5 - Episode 3 - Aired 2/14/2017
Returning from London for a visit, Toby and Lily reveal their plans to get married in the Kennish backyard. But a fight before the wedding may tear them apart before they can say “I do.” Regina must decide whether to reveal her relationship with Luca to the family. When she least expects it, Bay runs into Tank again.
#17 - The Stag Hunt
Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 7/18/2011
After the Kennish's learn of his involvement with the stolen exam and a talk with Regina, Toby decides to turn himself in and not let Wilke take all the blame. Meanwhile, Bay and Emmett continue to bond in her hunt for her biological father and, Daphne learns of a life changing secret that Regina has been keeping from her.
#18 - And We Bring the Light
Season 3 - Episode 15 - Aired 7/7/2014
Back from a soul-searching trip to Iceland after his failed marriage, Toby returns with a new perspective on life and a surprising new aspiration for his career. Bay’s college dreams are knocked for a loop when she doesn’t get the news she expected. Angelo helps Daphne redirect her senior year stresses with a baking challenge. Meanwhile, Regina’s participation in the East Riverside project brings her to yet another moral crossroad.
#19 - The Wolf is Waiting
Season 5 - Episode 9 - Aired 4/4/2017
Travis and Bay have dinner with his birth mom, but the reunion dredges up painful memories of his childhood assault. Daphne contemplates helping Chris cheat on a test. Regina gets paid an unexpected visit.
#20 - Memory is Your Image of Perfection
Season 3 - Episode 7 - Aired 2/24/2014
Daphne tries to convince Sharee that she needs to find help for her mother. Bay and Toby hatch a plan to get their parents on the same page. Adrianna is at odds with Regina over her new project. Meanwhile, Melody is confused by Travis’s behavior.
#21 - Fog and Storm and Rain
Season 4 - Episode 7 - Aired 2/17/2015
As a severe storm warning forces everyone to hunker down indoors, Kathryn's mom Bonnie comes for a visit, bringing her friend Lucille and delivers some unexpected news to Kathryn. Bay finds that Emmett is avoiding any discussion of what triggered the UMKC investigation. Meanwhile, Daphne goes to see Regina at the coffee house where several shocks await her, including one that will put her freedom at risk.
#22 - The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters
Season 1 - Episode 21 - Aired 3/13/2012
Daphne and Bay plan the perfect birthday for Emmett - an ASL zombie movie shoot with their friends and family. While Emmett is excited about the event, he's also torn up inside about what happened with Simone and how it will hurt Bay. Simone wants to keep what happened between her and Emmett a secret, but someone finds out and threatens to expose their secret. Meanwhile, Kathyrn is devastated to find out that John has been revealing some secrets of their own and Regina has second thoughts about contributing to Kathyrn's book.
#23 - Dressing for the Charade
Season 2 - Episode 4 - Aired 1/28/2013
Looking to give Bay an opportunity to meet the mother of her soon-to-be-born half-sister, Toby invites Lana to dinner at the Kennish house. Meanwhile, Daphne tries to help Travis (guest star Ryan Lane) with his problems at home.
#24 - Ecce Mono
Season 2 - Episode 15 - Aired 7/8/2013
What if Regina had told the hospital about the switch when she discovered it years ago? And what if both girls had been raised in the privileged Kennish household from age three? In "Ecce Mono," this alternate reality is revealed: Daphne has a cochlear implant, and doesn't know American Sign Language. Having been spoiled by her parents to make up for the switch, she's manipulative and not the best student. Bay, on the other hand, is a straight-A student, often trying to compensate for being the Kennishes' non-biological daughter. In addition, Kathryn is a successful author of bodice-ripping novels and, while still married to State Senator John Kennish, their marriage is far from perfect.
#25 - Instead of Damning the Darkness, it's Better to Light a Little Lantern
Season 4 - Episode 15 - Aired 9/21/2015
Daphne, Bay and Travis celebrate spring break with a volunteer trip to rural Mexico with Melody to distribute hearing aids to underprivileged locals. However, lines are crossed when Daphne makes an unexpected connection with a fellow volunteer and Bay's passionate anger toward Emmett gets the better of her. Meanwhile, Melody's boyfriend surprises her with a life-changing idea.