Ep 2. American Gothic

The Switched at Birth season 1 episode titled "American Gothic" picks up where the pilot episode left off, with Bay Kennish and Daphne Vasquez trying to adjust to their new life as part of each other's families. Bay, who was raised in an affluent family, is struggling to find her place in her biological mother's more blue-collar household, while Daphne, who lost her hearing as a result of meningitis, is trying to fit in with Bay's hearing family.

In this episode, tensions continue to run high between the two families as they try to grapple with the reality of the switch. Bay is still reeling from the news that her biological father is a famous artist, while Daphne is struggling to settle into a new school where no one knows her or understands her deafness.

The episode centers around a visit from Bay's maternal grandmother, a wealthy matriarch named Bonnie Tamblyn, who is keen to meet her newfound granddaughter. Bonnie is accompanied by her assistant, a flamboyant character named Kiev who takes a liking to both Bay and Daphne.

As the two families come together for dinner, tensions rise as Bonnie's casual racism and classism clash with Daphne and the Vasquez family's more down-to-earth ways. Meanwhile, Bay is struggling to connect with her grandmother, who is more interested in discussing the finer points of art than getting to know her granddaughter.

Things come to a head when Bonnie announces that she wants to commission a portrait of her new granddaughter to be painted by Bay's biological father. This sets off a chain of events that lead Bay and Daphne to confront their parents about the switch, as they both struggle with their sense of identity and belonging.

Throughout the episode, the theme of nature versus nurture is explored, as both Bay and Daphne grapple with the fact that they have been raised in completely different worlds. Bay struggles with the idea that she could have turned out differently if she had been raised by her biological parents, while Daphne wonders what her life would be like if she had never contracted meningitis and lost her hearing.

In the end, the families come together to confront their differences and find common ground. Bay and Daphne realize that although they come from different worlds, they are more alike than they ever imagined. As the episode comes to a close, they are both left wondering how they will navigate their new reality, and whether they can truly ever feel at home with their biological families.

Overall, the "American Gothic" episode of Switched at Birth is a thought-provoking exploration of identity, family, and the complex relationships that form between people from different worlds. With compelling performances from its talented cast and sharp writing that delves into important issues, this episode is a must-see for fans of the show.