Bay is thrilled by the opportunity to showcase her newest work in her first art show. Daphne interviews for an internship abroad that would bring her closer to Quinn, causing friction with Mingo. Kathryn's frustrations with John come to a head when he storms out of a deal negotiation. John and Kathryn confront Regina over Eric's secret.
Bay has had quite the year on Switched at Birth. It all started when she decided to take the fall for a crime she didn't commit in order to protect Daphne. The two of them are stronger than ever. But that decision still forced Bay down a path that was riddled with emotional complications and devastation. After that, she was raped by Tank and dumped by Emmett. The fall episodes of the season have shown her trying to get back on her feet. She has had to move past the emotional hardship of being single again. She has only recently started getting back on that horse. She is rebuilding her life. But there's still too much chaos happening around her for her to feel safe and secure again.Despite all of this, Bay believes she has finally gotten a major victory because her artwork has been noticed by an art gallery owner who wants her to put on her own show. She is so happy for this event. It's a chance for her to be noticed in the art world and gain some respect she has desperately craved for years. This is what she has been dreaming about for a long time. And now, it's become a reality. Unfortunately for her though, it's more like a dream. A dream that comes crashing back to reality as soon as the evening begins. This isn't a show she earned because of her art work. This is just a rental space where she could do whatever she wanted. It's a realization that slowly comes into focus across the hour. Bay is doing whatever it takes in order to make this night a success. But then, she is hit with the truth that Travis paid for this space for her. She did not earn this moment at all.
The show has been pushing the Bay-Travis dynamic pretty aggressively as of late. And yet, it works as a natural progression of those character dynamics as well. It's something unexpected that has come out of their friendship. Sure, Travis doesn't know how to communicate his feelings all that well. He almost ruined Bay's dynamic with Garrett a few weeks back and thinks it's a good idea to rent this space for her for an art show. But now, he finally confesses his feelings to her. The audience and Emmett have known how Travis feels for awhile now. It's just now coming to the surface in a way that Bay has to address. She doesn't want to be disrespectful to either Emmett or Mary Beth. She respects those friendships way too much to potentially ruin them by dating Travis. A relationship with him is also something she has never considered before. It's a complicated situation where she doesn't know how to feel. She respects their friendship so much. He would be a great guy for her. She just has to figure out if that's something she actually wants right now. It's her decision to make. Emmett is giving her permission and enough closure to actual pursue something with Travis if she actually wants it. That final Bay and Emmett scene is so great because it's the two of them addressing what used to be between the two and understanding that they can move on while still being friends. That's a powerful moment even though it only offers Bay some clarity over this decision.
Meanwhile, Daphne is caught in her own complicated love story. Mingo has been a fantastic guy for her this season. He is the first decent guy she has dated. There's nothing to really complicate their dynamic. They have definitely had their struggles throughout the season. Everyone has an opinion on how different they are. But it is also a very simple relationship that brings out the best in both people. They want this to work so desperately. And yet, Daphne's ambitions may be taking her to places that Mingo isn't ready for. Quinn's presence in Kansas City makes it a story about love and romantic connection. Quinn and Daphne kissed and she has been trying to move past that moment for weeks now. That may actually ruin her chance to have an opportunity of a lifetime helping deaf people in China. It's all because Quinn let's his personal feelings for Daphne dictate whether or not she can join this venture.
But the Quinn of it all shouldn't inform Daphne and Mingo's future together. All season long, she has risked this happy and strong relationship due to her impulses for something else. Mingo is a great guy for her. Only at times does she seem to remember that. He resists from hitting Quinn even when he is provoked to. He is the first guy Daphne has dated who learned Sign Language for her. That's a huge gesture that means so much to her. And yet, he also wants her to be free in order to experience the world and the life she wants to be living. This opportunity in China can and will change her. He still pushes for her to go and experience it. He wants her to be happy with her life which proves just how great of a guy he really is. It's devastating that it means they have to press pause on their relationship in order for her to do that though.
However, it's not all disappointing news. "And Always Searching for Beauty" also features the birth of Toby and Lily's son. It's a beautiful moment that unites the entire family. Tension has been building amongst the family - whether it's the reveal about Eric's past or the arguments regarding the sale of the car wash. In this moment though, they are able to be a family again and enjoy the miracle that is the birth of this child. When they are in the room, everything else just fades away. They just want to celebrate the happiness of Toby, Lily and their new son. They name him Carlton, a name that has huge significance to the show. It's such a perfect moment. It would have been so happy for the episode to end there.
The finale doesn't end with Carlton's birth though. The action actually moves ahead ten months to show Bay and Daphne enjoying their new lives in China. The sisters decided to go together in order to experience the world as a team. It's a simple journey that is much more exciting and potentially life-altering than any relationship could possibly be right now for either of them. They went in order to have an adventure. They must have had a good team too considering they've been there for ten months ahead. The original plan was just six weeks. That time extension may create some tension when they return home to Travis and Mingo. And they will be coming home too. This adventure in China may have changed them but they are needed back at home. Something has happened. They need to return as quickly as possible. It's probably some big emergency regarding someone else in the family. But it's unclear who. The show has been renewed for another season. So it should be fun to see how both Bay and Daphne have matured from this experience. But it's also nerve-wrecking to think about what has happened while they were away.
Some more thoughts:
- "And Always Searching for Beauty" was written by Lizzy Weiss & Bekah Brunstetter and directed by Melanie Mayron.
- The final negotiations for the sale of the car wash has grown contentious because John and Kathryn's former lawyer, Craig, represents the buyer. I had completely forgotten about that little romantic moment between Kathryn and Craig. It was so long ago back when they were suing the hospital for the switch. Plus, it was largely re-introduced to make John and Kathryn bicker so that they could come back together when John is holding Carlton in his arms.
- The Regina-Eric story is also messily resolved because Eric decides to abandon her and go on the run again with Will. Her heart is now broken by the man she wanted to live the rest of her life with. But it mostly afford Bay a chance to console Regina in the same way that she did when she was dealing with her breakup with Emmett at the start of the season.
- Didn't it feel like Lily's pregnancy moved way too fast this season? She learned about it in the premiere. She and Toby spent two episodes thinking about what they should do. Then they disappeared for a few weeks. And then, she popped back up and suddenly had a big baby bump. And finally, she has already given birth. So this season covered several months in the show's timeline.
- If Bay and Daphne were able to spend ten months in China, that means Toby could enjoy life in London for a little while as well without taking him out of the show completely. Whatever is happening back home will likely lead to his return as well.
- I really am rooting for Bay and Travis to get together. I was a huge Bay-Emmett shipper before this season. But now, Bay and Travis have completely won me over. I'm very impressed with the way the show handled that transition this year.
