Switched at Birth backdrop
Drama•Family

The Best Episodes of Switched at Birth Season 1

Every episode of Switched at Birth Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Switched at Birth Season 1!

Binge this in 17h 55m•Peaking at 9.8/10

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

Airs on
ABC FamilyFreeform
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons5

All12345

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Switched at Birth Season 1 Episode 1 - This Is Not a Pipe
    8.6/10(323 votes)

    #1 - This Is Not a Pipe

    S1:E1

    In the series premiere of this drama, a hospital error that involved sending two newborns home with the wrong families is uncovered years later, when the girls are teenagers. The girls went on to lead very different lives: Artistic Bay Kennish (Vanessa Marano) grew up in a world of privilege, while athletic Daphne Vasquez (Katie Lecleric) was raised by a single mother and contracted an illness that left her deaf at a young age.

    Director:Steve Miner
    Writer:Lizzy Weiss

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. Switched at Birth Season 1 Episode 2 - American Gothic
    8.5/10(234 votes)

    #2 - American Gothic

    S1:E2

    Kathryn questions why Regina isn't joining in the lawsuit against the hospital. Meanwhile, Daphne goes out with Liam and encounters new difficulties dating a hearing person; and Bay finds a kindred spirit in Ty, who hails from Daphne's old neighborhood.

    Director:Steve Miner
    Writer:Lizzy Weiss

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. Switched at Birth Season 1 Episode 3 - Portrait of My Father
    7.4/10(216 votes)

    #3 - Portrait of My Father

    S1:E3

    Bay becomes curious about her birth father. Meanwhile, Kathryn deals with her nosy neighbors; and John takes an interest in Daphne's basketball games and meets Melody (Marlee Matlin), a friend of Regina's who works at Daphne's school.

    Director:Michael Schultz
    Writer:Becky Hartman Edwards

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. Switched at Birth Season 1 Episode 4 - Dance Amongst Daggers
    8.5/10(207 votes)

    #4 - Dance Amongst Daggers

    S1:E4

    Kathryn hosts a fund-raiser for Buckner Hall, and Toby's band provides the evening's entertainment. Meanwhile, Daphne is crushed to find out that she's been dating Bay's ex-boyfriend; and John and Melody's new friendship makes Kathryn uneasy.

    Director:Steve Miner
    Writers:Chad Fiveash, James Patrick Stoteraux

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. Switched at Birth Season 1 Episode 5 - Dogs Playing Poker
    9.3/10(191 votes)

    #5 - Dogs Playing Poker

    S1:E5

    Kathryn and John insist on having Ty over for dinner after they learn that Bay has been seeing him secretly. Elsewhere, Toby asks Daphne and Emmett to help him win a poker game, which puts Daphne in an uncomfortable position.

    Director:Bethany Rooney
    Writer:Joy Gregory

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. Switched at Birth Season 1 Episode 6 - The Persistence of Memory
    9.0/10(197 votes)

    #6 - The Persistence of Memory

    S1:E6

    Daphne struggles to keep up with a cooking class at Buckner Hall. Elsewhere, Bay and Emmett grow close while looking for clues about Bay's biological father; and Toby and Wilke try to break into school to swipe a test.

    Director:James L. Conway
    Writer:Henry Robles

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of Switched at Birth

    READ
  7. Switched at Birth Season 1 Episode 7 - The Stag Hunt
    9.7/10(204 votes)

    #7 - The Stag Hunt

    S1:E7

    Bay believes she's uncovered her birth father's identity online, so she asks Daphne and Emmett to accompany her when she meets him. Meanwhile, John and Kathryn suspect Regina is to blame for the hospital's recent actions regarding their lawsuit.

    Director:Michael Lange
    Writer:Sean Reycraft

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. Switched at Birth Season 1 Episode 8 - Pandora's Box
    9.5/10(205 votes)

    #8 - Pandora's Box

    S1:E8

    Regina pleads with Daphne to keep her secret about what was in the guitar case, but soon the hospital board reveals info that forces Regina to spill everything. Meanwhile, Bay and Emmett's bond intensifies.

    Director:Elodie Keene
    Writers:Lizzy Weiss, Becky Hartman Edwards

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. Switched at Birth Season 1 Episode 9 - Paradise Lost
    9.2/10(182 votes)

    #9 - Paradise Lost

    S1:E9

    Bay and Daphne receive cars from John and Kathryn on their birthday, but Daphne is uncomfortable accepting such a lavish present. Meanwhile, Regina stops hiding out at Melody's place; and Bay and Emmett's secret romance continues to flourish.

    Director:Ron Lagomarsino
    Writers:Chad Fiveash, James Patrick Stoteraux

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. Switched at Birth Season 1 Episode 10 - The Homecoming
    9.8/10(202 votes)

    #10 - The Homecoming

    S1:E10

    Bay is shocked to meet her biological father (Gilles Marini) at her school's art show, and then she introduces him to her parents and Daphne. Meanwhile, Daphne opens up to Emmett regarding her feelings about him, forcing him to make a difficult decision.

    Director:David Paymer
    Writer:Lizzy Weiss

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. Switched at Birth Season 1 Episode 11 - Starry Night
    8.0/10(170 votes)

    #11 - Starry Night

    S1:E11

    Daphne follows Emmett to a music festival, hoping to get some private time with him. Elsewhere, John requests that Regina be present when Bay sees Angelo again; and Kathryn secretly talks to a nurse who could assist in the lawsuit against the hospital.

    Director:Steve Miner
    Writer:Lizzy Weiss

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. Switched at Birth Season 1 Episode 12 - The Tempest
    9.0/10(152 votes)

    #12 - The Tempest

    S1:E12

    Bay fails to dazzle Melody with her American Sign Language skills. Elsewhere, Kathryn contemplates writing a book about her baby-swap experience; Daphne befriends an old pal of Bay's; and Wilke and Toby seek to make a profit by selling phony IDs.

    Director:Mel Damski
    Writer:Anne Kenney

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. Switched at Birth Season 1 Episode 13 - Self-Portrait with a Bandaged Ear
    8.0/10(161 votes)

    #13 - Self-Portrait with a Bandaged Ear

    S1:E13

    Melody attributes Emmett's troublemaking behavior to Bay. Elsewhere, Regina becomes Angelo's business partner; Daphne's displeased with her basketball coach; and Kathryn and John face a possible setback in their lawsuit because of their lawyer.

    Director:Steve Miner
    Writer:Becky Hartman Edwards

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. Switched at Birth Season 1 Episode 14 - Les Soeurs d'Estrees
    8.5/10(150 votes)

    #14 - Les Soeurs d'Estrees

    S1:E14

    Daphne and Bay unite to help Emmett save his motorcycle. Elsewhere, Kathryn and John retain a new lawyer for their case against the hospital; and Angelo learns something that could jeopardize his business arrangement with Regina.

    Director:Arlene Sanford
    Writer:Joy Gregory

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. Switched at Birth Season 1 Episode 15 - Expulsion from the Garden of Eden
    8.5/10(154 votes)

    #15 - Expulsion from the Garden of Eden

    S1:E15

    Angelo attends a dinner at the Kennishs' home. Meanwhile, Bay helps Emmett move into his dad's place, where they meet his father's girlfriend; and Daphne and Wilke go out on a date.

    Director:Steve Miner
    Writers:Chad Fiveash, James Patrick Stoteraux

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. Switched at Birth Season 1 Episode 16 - Las Dos Fridas
    9.0/10(143 votes)

    #16 - Las Dos Fridas

    S1:E16

    Kathryn's mother visits the family and forms a bond with Daphne, yet Daphne still feels a strong connection with where she was raised. Meanwhile, Bay and Regina look into Angelo's disappearance; and Toby realizes he can only please Simone if he changes.

    Director:Chris Grismer
    Writer:Henry Robles

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. Switched at Birth Season 1 Episode 17 - Protect Me from What I Want
    8.0/10(139 votes)

    #17 - Protect Me from What I Want

    S1:E17

    Emmett photographs Bay and Daphne's blended family for a school assignment. Meanwhile, Regina gets acquainted with an art-gallery owner; Daphne questions Simone's trustworthiness; and Bay and Emmett divulge their true feelings to each other.

    Director:David Paymer
    Writers:Lizzy Weiss, Becky Hartman Edwards

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. Switched at Birth Season 1 Episode 18 - The Art of Painting
    8.7/10(147 votes)

    #18 - The Art of Painting

    S1:E18

    Things don't go well at Regina's art show, where Emmett's parents get into a big fight. Meanwhile, Kathryn's latest actions may jeopardize the lawsuit against the hospital; and Daphne feels caught in the middle regarding her two schools.

    Director:Norman Buckley
    Writers:Joy Gregory, Anne Kenney

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. Switched at Birth Season 1 Episode 19 - Write a Lonely Soldier
    8.3/10(142 votes)

    #19 - Write a Lonely Soldier

    S1:E19

    Daphne is unsure about her romance with Wilke, and then she meets a confrontational new student at school. Meanwhile, Emmett isn't happy to learn that Bay is still in contact with Ty, who may have been injured in Afghanistan.

    Director:Bethany Rooney
    Writers:Chad Fiveash, James Patrick Stoteraux

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. Switched at Birth Season 1 Episode 20 - Game On
    8.7/10(150 votes)

    #20 - Game On

    S1:E20

    Bay must testify in Emmett's custody case, and Emmett's actions threaten to end their relationship. Elsewhere, a nervous Daphne prepares for a basketball tournament between her current and former teams; and Kathryn has a meeting with a New York editor.

    Director:Ron Lagomarsino
    Writers:Lizzy Weiss, Becky Hartman Edwards

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. Switched at Birth Season 1 Episode 21 - The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters
    8.3/10(139 votes)

    #21 - The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters

    S1:E21

    Bay and Daphne arrange an ASL zombie movie shoot for Emmett's birthday. Meanwhile, Emmett wrestles with whether to tell Bay about his betrayal; and Regina has doubts about assisting with Kathryn's book.

    Director:Elodie Keene
    Writers:Joy Gregory, Henry Robles

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. Switched at Birth Season 1 Episode 22 - Venus, Cupid, Folly, and Time
    8.7/10(153 votes)

    #22 - Venus, Cupid, Folly, and Time

    S1:E22

    The Carlton prom gets underway, and Travis tags along with Daphne and Wilke, while Emmett feels the weight of the secret he's keeping from Bay. Elsewhere, Angelo resurfaces; and Kathryn and John's lawyer crosses a line.

    Director:Michael Lange
    Writer:Lizzy Weiss

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. Switched at Birth Season 1 Episode 23 - This Is the Color of My Dreams
    8.7/10(152 votes)

    #23 - This Is the Color of My Dreams

    S1:E23

    Bay returns from a trip abroad with a new boyfriend, but she must face issues from her past concerning Emmett and Angelo. Meanwhile, Daphne seeks employment help from Kathryn; and Regina impulsively makes a big decision.

    Director:Steve Miner
    Writer:Lizzy Weiss

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. Switched at Birth Season 1 Episode 24 - The Intruder
    8.7/10(127 votes)

    #24 - The Intruder

    S1:E24

    Regina and Angelo face repercussions from their marriage. Meanwhile, Bay meets a fellow street artist; Daphne and Emmett enter their zombie movie in a film festival; and John's baseball record is in jeopardy of being broken.

    Director:Patrick R. Norris
    Writers:Chad Fiveash, James Patrick Stoteraux

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. Switched at Birth Season 1 Episode 25 - The Shock of Being Seen
    8.7/10(127 votes)

    #25 - The Shock of Being Seen

    S1:E25

    Daphne causes a huge mishap at the restaurant, and she grows closer with her boss in the aftermath. Elsewhere, Bay manipulates a situation with her two dads to get what she wants; and Kathryn is envious of the attention an interviewer showers on Regina.

    Director:Steve Miner
    Writers:Becky Hartman Edwards, Joy Gregory

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Season 1 Ratings Summary

"This Is Not a Pipe" is the best rated episode of "Switched at Birth" season 1. It scored 8.6/10 based on 323 votes. Directed by Steve Miner and written by Lizzy Weiss, it aired on 6/6/2011. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "American Gothic".