Switched at Birth Pilot Review
One of us will watch just about anything that ABC Family airs, including Secret Life, and isn’t ashamed of it. Okay, she’s slightly ashamed, but she’s trying to get over it. Therefore, she obviously watched the pilot of Switched at Birth. If this is literally the first you’re hearing about the show, the title tells you just about everything about the show: the two main characters, Bay and Daphne, were switched at birth. Bay grew up privileged with two loving parents and a brother, while Daphne was raised by a single mom and grandmother. Not exactly groundbreaking stuff there. One of the more interesting and unique things about this show is the fact that Daphne is deaf. One of the bloggers is very interested in deaf culture, and is pretty excited to see it on television, even if it is watered down. And speaking of the deaf culture, we thought it was very interesting how Daphne became deaf from a meningitis infection when she was four. We hope that this causes conflict in later episodes, because we would probably enjoy the discussion; if Bay and Daphne hadn’t been switched, would Daphne still have become deaf? Would Bay have instead? We really hope that wasn’t just a one-time thought for the show.
However, we really didn’t like how fast the first four minutes of the episode were, covering eight weeks in their lives. We would’ve appreciated getting to know the girls and their families before finding out that Bay and Daphne were given to the wrong parents. As it was, we didn’t care for the sloppy introduction. We also wish the show had shown us how different Bay and her mom are, instead of having Bay repeatedly tell the audience.
We didn’t love the episode, but after hearing bad things about the pilot from a lot of other sources, we were pleasantly surprised. We do expect more from ABC Family now, however. In terms of quality, we want this show to be more like Pretty Little Liars, and right now, it’s leaning more towards Secret Life.
Episode Grade: C
Secret Life Season Finale
Speaking of which: oh Secret Life. How one (AND ONLY ONE) of us loves you so. Y’all, this episode was insane. We predicted it from the previews, but Adrian’s baby died. We would like to say first that having a baby die like that is horrible and we literally can’t imagine the kind of pain that Adrian, Ben, and their families must be going through, not to mention the pain felt by the people who actually go through that in real life. No one deserves that kind of hurt. That being said, the actor who plays Ben is a horrible fake crier. It needed to be mentioned. Also, this might sound horrible, but we’re kind of excited about what this development will mean for Adrian and Ben. They got married and moved in together because they were going to become parents. How are they going to deal with it now that they aren’t? Will they stay together or separate? Obviously, our money is on them separating, but probably not getting divorced; that wouldn’t fit with Secret Life’s image.
Episode Grade: B+
What were your thoughts on the Switched at Birth pilot and Secret Life season finale?
Switched at Birth felt like a typical "teen" show/movie. Although, the whole deaf part makes it a bit different. I'm hoping for more drama (not annoying drama....good and realistic drama)
ReplyDeletePilot felt too much like they just wanted to introduce the characters and what we can expect will happen later...hoping it gets better.
Oh yeah..I also checked to see if the character who plays Daphne is actually deaf and looks like she actually is. =S
ABC Family has had really good hits/shows (except for secret life)
It definitely felt pretty standard teen fare, but we have learned to have higher standards for ABC Family shows. And we would've liked a little more time to get to know them before the switch; the pilot probably would've been better if it was 2 hours long. We're so excited that the actress who plays Daphne is deaf in real life; the actor who plays Emmett is also deaf. Other than Marlee Matlin, it's rare to see an actual deaf actor on a show.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think 2 hours long would have been better as well. What did you guys think about Love Bites?
ReplyDeleteOne of us watched Love Bites and didn't care for it. But we loved Becki Newton from Ugly Betty, so we were sad.
ReplyDeleteWe don't think Love Bites will be on for a very long time.
Switched at Birth was fine, not great but not bad. I'll watch a few more episodes to decide because you really can't judge a show by just the first episode. Anyways I was wondering, did you guys watch Teen Wolf? I hope you review it too :)
ReplyDeleteWe weren't too interested in Teen Wolf because of how bad Skins was (and it was on that same channel). MTV is about as deep as a puddle and most TV is ALREADY shallow. Plus, it looks like it's just trying to bank on the Twilight craze/is a rip-off of old movies.
ReplyDeleteBut we haven't seen it, so we can't really judge. Is it worth checking out?
One of us will definitely be checking it out, but we'd still love to hear your opinion on the pilot!
ReplyDeleteWell, I think it was good, not as good as The Vampire Diaries but better than Twilight. It has a good balance between the supernatural stuff and the regular school life of the main characters, and I'm interested to know more about the whole wolf storyline, and how it's different from the other shows/movies. So I'm gonna watch it :) I liked it more than Switched at Birth, but that's just maybe because I'm a sucker for the supernatural :)
ReplyDeleteNow the other blogger who rejected it kind of wants to at least check it out....
ReplyDeleteMTV has one pretty good comedy show called The Hard Times of RJ Berger. You should check it out...(it's dirty/raunchy humor) 2 Seasons with 12 episodes each (20 minutes) I liked the first season more but the second season wasn't all too bad. (it was more dirtier though :S) People compare it to Superbad.
ReplyDeleteWe've been hearing good stuff about that. One of us hates MTV with a passion and one of us doesn't even get MTV with her cable (it's a weird glitch), but we could always check it out online, like we do most shows when we can't be in front of the box one night.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder. We need TV to watch during the summer drought.
Have you guys caught up on any of the shows you mentioned weeks ago? I would like to hear your opinions about some of those shows. :)
ReplyDeleteWhich shows are you talking about? We're pretty caught up on everything. We prefer to post when there's something noteworthy about an episode, or if it's a pilot or finale :)
ReplyDeleteThere'll be a series recap of The Chicago Code post next week, along with others. But if you let us know which show(s) you'd like us to comment on, we can make it happen!
I don't think that was the season finale of Secret Life. Pretty sure there are still a few new eps left.
ReplyDeleteAlso, you guys should really check out Teen Wolf. I was sceptical too, but I read a good review & that kid from 7th Heaven is on it, so I decided to check it out. Really liked it! Kinda fills the Vampire Diaries summer void :oP
We read somewhere that it WAS the season finale, but that there will be no break between the seasons (i.e. there will be a new episode on Monday). It's entirely possible that we were wrong, so we'll try to find where we read that.
ReplyDeleteIs Nikita any good? I heard it got better around half-way through the season.
ReplyDeleteWe quit watching Nikita a few episodes in. We have also heard that it got better though. We are going to watch all of season one at some point this summer, and then we will put a review of the whole season on here.
ReplyDeleteOh...Well that's completely possible...A little weird, but possible!
ReplyDeletePretty Little Liars had a short gap too.
ReplyDeleteThis blogger would look it up, but anything to do with Secret Life makes her eyes burn
Lol...Yeah, Secret Life is a guilty pleasure for me...I know it's rubbish, but it's entertaining to me...Kinda, the way I used to feel about the Bachelor/Bachelorette
ReplyDeleteYeah, this blogger feels that way about Make it or Break it and Grey's Anatomy. Everyone has their guilty pleasures. Totally understandable. The acting in Secret Life just distracts one of us from everything else going on in the show. It's like they are trying to be bad
ReplyDeleteI think Ricky is one of the enjoyable actors on the show. His facial expressions when he gets mad and the way he gets pissed (the sound of his voice, his veins popping out) is pretty good. (might just be me) You can tell he's just sick of everything...
ReplyDeleteI find the show to be dumb but somehow addicting at the same time (haven't watched the last 2 episodes)
also..His character is the only one that seems to me doesn't feel he's giving advice to us (the viewers) but to those characters on the shows. (don't know if you guys know what I mean...)
ReplyDeleteI don't think he deserves an Emmy/Globe or any of the major awards but I wouldn't mind seeing him win something like a Kids Choice Awards or whatever.
ReplyDeleteFor sure. If he's a cut above the rest, he should get a Kids Choice Award AND a part on a different show, haha.
ReplyDeleteI finished watching Nikita the other day and it really did improve a lot throughout the season. I think you guys should continue where you left off...I also think it'll change your opinion/grade about the show. :) (Changing the C+ to a B or even an A) Don't want you guys to watch it with high expectations (and be disappointed) though...(How can you based on my excitement? lol)
ReplyDeleteMy Fridays are looking good: Chuck, Nikita, and Fringe. (Also, Blue Bloods...) Nerdgasm... :D
If you include Nikita in that list (with Chuck, Fringe, and Blue Bloods, maybe it IS worth revisiting). We will check it out before season two starts. We promise.
ReplyDeleteYeah, you should definitely give the show a chance. I agreed with few people early on when they said "The show tries to sell bodies and guns" etc. but my opinion changed as the show started to actually get a story going. (Maybe I'm sort of hyping it too much? I don't know...I also haven't seen the original but there are a few people who watched both and enjoyed this version more) There are some pretty good twists and turns. :)
ReplyDeleteBasically my reaction at first was :/ (wasn't completely boring...just sort of mehish but watchable), then :) then :D and finally =D
That makes sense. When you are launching a show, you go with "sex sells" and hype. Then, once you get into it, you have to actually keep viewers around.
ReplyDeleteok. i agree that the beginning of switched at birth went a little too fast but i actually like it and i cant wait untill the season finale!
ReplyDeleteIt has turned into a pretty popular show
ReplyDeleteYou guys should continue watching Switched at Birth (if you aren't anymore) These last two episodes were really good.
ReplyDeleteBay and the rest have become pretty much likeable.
Also, check out this interesting blog post http://www.welovesoaps.net/2011/07/switched-at-birth-code.html
Oh..woops the above has spoilers.
ReplyDeleteIt's ok to put spoilers in comments.
ReplyDeleteI have the actress playing Bay in my Friday morning class. I was like "Is that her? That couldn't be her..no way. That is her!" I heard her voice and her name and she's even in the roster for the school's social site. She raised her hand a couple of times and answered questions. I didn't want to bother her, though...just assumed that she'll want privacy and to be left alone...and I wasn't sure anyone else would know her but a girl went up to her talking with a fan expression and a girl sitting next to her was also talking to her and from those expressions, I think I knew what they were asking/talking about. haha It's pretty cool, though....seeing an actress of a show I really like/love at a public place...and in my class! (and one that's not too famous but will probably get there soon) (community college) haha *Asks her out* jk (Yes, I'm a dude haha...) I think she'll be the next biggest young star sometime. Also, found this from a link on wiki (Got into a bit of a stalker mode, haha...next up:follow her to her car and record her license...jk): YH: How do you balance work as actress with school being a sophomore in college?
ReplyDeleteVM: It's been very hard. When I'm working, I just do a class a semester. Thank goodness for community college so you can actually do that sort of thing. My goal is to just get my degree before I'm 30; I got 12 years to go.
She was wearing some sweats and slightly looked different...but yeah. I was sleepy and there she was sitting there...haha
DeleteYou're the only site I posted about this...but I also told some of my friends. (people who mostly think "There is no good TV" haha..so...I'm pretty safe.)
DeleteWow! That's really cool. You should say hi. Not as a fan, but as a classmate, you know?
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