When ABC airs episode 13 of "Switched at Birth" season 4, it will also open doors for conversations people generally shy away from. It will not only deal with the argument for and against "pro-choice", but also about what it is like to raise a child with Down's syndrome.
In the previous episode, titled "How Does a Girl Like You Get to Be a Girl Like You", we saw how Toby (Lucas Grabeel) dealt with the news that his ex-girlfriend Lily (Rachel Shenton) is pregnant with his child. He definitely did not take that news well, but he sat with Lily when he heard that the child has Down's syndrome.
Although they did not definitively decide on what to do, Toby's rationality is persuading him towards getting the child aborted. However, his sister Daphne (Katie Leclerc) tries to tell him that the child may not be perfect, but it will allow him to grow and despite the adjustments they will have to make, they will love it.
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Toby gets furious with Daphne for showing him as the bad guy and seems to be adamant on his decision. However, in the coming episode we see everyone in the Kennish family reiterating Daphne's views and John (DW Moffett) even lashes out at him.
John is seen shouting that he is equal parts responsible for the baby as Lily is, and that he needs to take care of it. John is under stress after liquidating almost everything he owns, and his financial responsibilities piling up--from Daphne's tuition fees to Kathryn's (Lea Thompson) charitable donation to help Melody (Marlee Matlin) keep her job.
In the coming episodes, we will see "Switched at Birth" tap yet another complicated topic. From tackling Bay's (Vanessa Marano) rape to deconstructing the concept of "disability", the ABC show has been a trailblazer in raising awareness and educating people. We will get to see more of it in the future.
On a lighter note, we will also get to see Regina (Constance Marie Lopez) and Eric's (Terrell Tilford) relationship move forward, as the latter asks his girlfriend to move in with him.
Watch out for season 4 episode 13 of "Switched at Birth" at 8 pm (EST) on Monday, 7 September. You can also live stream "Between Hope and Fear" via ABC Go.
