'Switched at Birth' Recap: 'Uprising'

Finally! It's the can't-miss all-American Sign Language episode of Switched at Birth we have all been waiting for! After the announcement that Carleton will be closed down, there is definitely no better time to honor ASL than now.

The episode started out with one speaking scene, where Bay is revealed to have made the Dean’s list for probably the first time in her life. Too bad the school she’s done so well at is closing!

Meanwhile, in the classroom, the students are all talking with Melody about their bad experiences in hearing schools. Most of the kids had been mocked by the other students and had been outcasts. They definitely seem more than riled up, there’s no chance these kids are going to sit idly by as their school is destroyed. And so the silence begins…

At first it’s just complete and udder silence, but every once in a while music is brought in to balance it out and add to the drama.

After class ends, Melody is approached by the principal and is offered a job to sit on the School Board to help the deaf kids adjust to their new schools. The job is not without a price of course, and she must agree to keep in line with the decision to shut down Carleton. Needless to say, Melody does not take too kindly to this.

Later that night, the deaf crew gets together to reminisce about old times and to spit out a verse or too (yes, these kids can definitely throw down a rap!). But it isn’t too long before the kids remember the Gallaudet uprising and feel a hint of inspiration. For those of you not up on your deaf history, back in 1988, many deaf students were outraged when the school would not elect a deaf president. They revolted and took over the school and eventually won. Daphne, Emmett, and the others decide to take back Carleton and stage an uprising themselves.

Back in school, the kids continue planning but once Bay and Noah walk in, they try to shut them out. While Emmett refuses to fill Bay in on the plan, she agrees to make a poster to help the cause anyways. The kids decide to enact their plan right after the play so they can get access to the building.

While waiting for the play to begin, Noah and Daphne “practice” their kiss for the big scene but it turns into much more. Although they don’t realize it, Emmett catches them in the act.

At the play, the kids are able to steal the keys from the principal but when they try to break into the building, a security guard catches them. Since he can’t speak sign language, they are unable to convince him that it is “ok” for them to have the keys. Travis run back into the play to find help and Bay convinces him to tell her the plan. They decide they need to distract the security guard and she volunteers to pull the fire alarm, ruining her mother’s play.

It is then that all the kids run out and Emmett leads them in a “Take Back Carleton” chant. A ton of deaf kids run to the building with signs, including Bay and Noah. Although reluctant to let them in, Travis finally steps aside. And let the protest begin!

At first the protest seems to be going well and the students are completely organized with social media stations, sleeping bags, and food. But their happiness doesn’t last long as Daphne soon scolds them for partying instead of protesting. Electing herself as leader, Daphne demands that everyone gives her their phones so nobody can send the wrong message to the public. Bay is the first to agree and most everyone follows soon after. Only two decide that Daphne is being too bossy and end up leaving the protest.

After the two traitors walk out, the kids can finally get down to business: deciding their demands. However, this soon leads to another conflict, as they cannot decide “how deaf” they want the school to be. Of course Emmett stands up for Bay and Noah, claiming they have a right to the school, but Travis is so angry at all the hearing people of the world and refuses to cede. When taking a break to cool off, Bay confronts Daphne about whether she believes that hearing kids school be allowed in the school or not. Daphne admits that she wants Bay to leave.

After a few hours of protest, the kids finally allow Melody in. Although she tries to convince them of the consequences, the kids don’t care about expulsion and stand their ground. But it looks like their protest is over because all of a sudden the sound is returned and the cops have arrived. Uh-oh…

In the spring season finale of Switched at Birth next week, it looks like Emmett is arrested and Daphne and Bay fight about Noah. Stay tuned!