DVD SPECS
Release date: December 13, 2011
Rating: TV-14
Running time: 435 minutes (ten episodes)
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 enhanced for widescreen TVs
Audio: English Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles: English for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Special Features: None
THE SET-UP
Two very different families, one rich and one poor, discover their teenage daughters were switched at birth. Now, each must learn to live with each other and share in their trials and tribulations. Stars Lea Thompson, Constance Marie, D.W. Moffett, Katie Leclerc, Vanessa Marano, and Lucas Grabeel.
THE DELIVERY
This ABC Family show managed to take a Lifetime Movie-of-the-Week concept and create a solid family drama. Sure, it often gets too angsty for its own good, but it is earnestly written and the acting is above par. Volume One, which includes all ten episodes of the first season, hits the ground running and sucks the viewer in from the very first episode.
The two teen leads, Marano and Leclerc, are engaging without being too annoying, although Marano's character will test your nerves at times. The entire show is grounded, however, by the adult leads, who thankfully are not just the stereotypical clueless TV parents. Lea Thompson and D.W. Moffett both show nice range as Bay's parents, while Constance Marie gives a layered, complicated performance as Daphne's less-than-perfect mother.
The show does a decent job in handling the issue of deafness (actress Katie Leclerc is partially deaf, and actor Sean Berdy is completely deaf) without being too corny or venturing into "very special episode" territory. The portrayal is honest and straightforward, and when the characters talk about it, you don't feel manipulated. It is a refreshing, intelligent approach that you do not see in television these days, especially with a show aimed at teens and families.
The soap-opera like plots come fast and furious in season one, but it manages to entertain at every step. I personally had an issue with the glamorization of graffiti art in the show (when it's a cute rich girl, it's art; but if it were a poor, homely kid, it would be a crime), but it is a minor gripe in an otherwise above-average show. The content is largely safe for families, so you will not have to worry about little ones seeing (or hearing) something they shouldn't.
Disc One contains the first five episodes: "This Is Not a Pipe," "American Gothic," "Portrait of my Father," "Dance Amongst Daggers," and "Dogs Playing Poker." Disc Two contains the back five: "The Persistence of Memory," "The Stag Hunt," "Pandora's Box," "Paradise Lost," and "The Homecoming."
VIDEO AND AUDIO
For a standard DVD, the image is quite good, showing nice sharpness and natural colors throughout each episode. Even while watching the episodes on a 46 inch Samsung HDTV, the picture holds up very well. The audio is a full 5.1 Dolby Digital sound mix, and while it is not big on surround effects, voices and music sound excellent.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Amazingly, no extras were included on this disc. Unless you count animated menus. I don't. The DVD does come with some iPod skins featuring the graffiti artwork used in the show. Since I am not 13 nor female, I'll pass on them.
THE BOTTOM LINE: BUY IT OR REDBOX IT?
SHOW: A-
VIDEO: A-
AUDIO: A-
EXTRAS: D
OVERALL GRADE: B
The complete lack of special features brings down the overall grade of the set, but fans of the show will find this a nice pick up to add to their collection, especially since it can be found at retail for around $20. If you haven't seen the show yet, I suggest you give the pilot a try. It can be viewed online for free, and it gives you a good feel for how the remaining episodes play out.
Switched at Birth: Volume 1 is now available on DVD from Buena Vista Home Entertainment
Click here to order Switched at Birth: Volume 1 on DVD from Amazon!
