Ep 1. Drowning Girl

In "Switched at Birth" season 3 episode 1, titled "Drowning Girl," the Kennish and Vasquez families deal with the aftermath of the revelation that Bay and Daphne were accidentally switched at birth. Bay struggles with feelings of anger and betrayal towards her biological mother and brother, while Daphne navigates the challenges of adjusting to life with her wealthy birth parents.

As the episode begins, Bay is still reeling from the news that she is not John and Kathryn Kennish's biological daughter. She lashes out at her boyfriend Emmett and her birth mother Regina, refusing to speak to either of them. Meanwhile, Daphne is enjoying the luxuries of life with her birth parents, but is still grappling with the fact that her life has been turned upside down.

The two families attempt to navigate the complicated emotions and relationships that have been unearthed by the discovery of the switch. John and Kathryn struggle to connect with Daphne, who they feel has been stolen from them, while Regina grapples with the guilt of keeping the secret for so long. Bay's biological father Angelo attempts to establish a relationship with her, but is met with resistance from Bay and her family.

As Bay continues to distance herself from her loved ones, she becomes increasingly reckless and puts herself in danger by going out alone to a party. The title of the episode, "Drowning Girl," is a reference to a painting that Bay sees at the party, which mirrors her state of mind.

Meanwhile, Daphne is thrown into a new world of privilege and opportunity, but struggles to fit in with her classmates at her new school. She forms a bond with a deaf classmate named Campbell, who encourages her to embrace her differences.

Throughout the episode, the characters grapple with the idea of identity and what it means to truly belong. Bay and Daphne both struggle with the fact that they are not who they thought they were, while their families grapple with the idea of losing the daughters they have known their whole lives.

As the episode comes to a close, Bay's recklessness leads to her getting in a dangerous situation, and she is rescued by a surprise hero. The events of the episode serve as a catalyst for both Bay and Daphne to begin to embrace their new identities and find their place in their respective families.

Overall, "Drowning Girl" is a powerful and emotional episode that explores the complicated dynamics of family, identity, and belonging. The episode sets up the season-long arc that will see the characters continue to grapple with the aftermath of the switch and find their place in the newly defined Kennish-Vasquez family.