Welcome to the second half of Switched At Birth Season 2!

"The Door to Freedom" answered some questions left up in the air in the mid-season finale," Street Noises Invade the House," chief among them: Is Angelo the father? Did Regina take the money? Is everyone living happily ever after? Let's find out!

First, did they really have to bring up the graffiti thing in the premiere? It’s not that I’m old... really, it’s not. I just try to refrain from breaking the law.

Granted, for the first time I actually agree with Bay’s ability to express her artistic freedom; after all, it’s her own car. 

Buckner really wanted to bring Bay down. She had to go in front of an honor board because she got a 94 on a French test? She was told to study, and she did, and her reward was to be accused of cheating. If people wonder why kids have issues at school, they need look no further than their supposed school leaders. 

The writing was on the wall for Bay to go to Daphne’s school as soon as the boy in the pilot program introduced himself, wasn't it? I’m sure they’ll even welcome her artistic nature and allow her to graffiti the sides of the school. Will I believe it would happen in the real world? Nope. But it won’t surprise me in the least.

How awesome was it that Regina turned down anything to do with the money? While she’s still connected via marriage to Angelo, in principle, it just wasn't for her. I find that admirable. Angelo was acting like Santa Claus, annoying the heck out of John in the process, by buying extravagant but apt gifts for everyone. To his credit, he really knew what to buy the group. 

Regina was starting to be suckered into a slice of future happiness with Angelo when Toby interrupted Angelo in a discussion with the pregnant woman who came into the courtroom at the end of last season. 

Angelo, with good reason I’d think, asked for a DNA test to confirm the child was his. After all, it was a one night stand. After what he has been through with Bay and Daphne, a truly responsible person would want a DNA test to make sure that never happened again, especially after only one time. 

I was about to give kudos to Toby for not rushing to judgment and assuming the worst about Angelo, as people have done in the past, when he approached Bay questioning everything he said and did because of that one “mistake.” Is that really the kind of thing he should be discussing with the two families? I really didn’t like how they tried to make his covering up that part of his life and Bay’s cheating scandal in French class of the same level. 

Bay did have it right that if he chose not to be in the baby’s life he would be abandoning another child, but until that point, it was nobody’s business but his. The whole story just rubbed me the wrong way.

From the Daphne side of the story, I was kind of embarrassed that she was still so hung up on the chef. I was very proud of Melody for finally sitting her ass down and letting her have it for not giving her class and those who came before her the respect they deserved for achieving the things that made their lives so different today. 

It was pretty awful for Kathryn wanting to run for senate, only to be told they would be more interested in her husband. Somehow it seems her accomplishments are never enough. She’s done quite a bit to earn the right to run, and I would have been happier if John had said he would provide the financial backing for her to run for the seat against whomever the other group chose for the opened seat. Isn't that all it takes, really? Money? 

All in all, a good start for the season and one that will bring more of the kids closer together at Carlton. I liked the quick meet-n-greet we got with the fella in the pilot program and they need to expand their circle of friends, could he be a new one? 

If you need a refresher course in how we got here, don’t forget how easy it is to watch Switched At Birth online. What storylines from the episode most intrigued you? Pop into the comments section to have your say!

Carissa Pavlica is the managing editor and a staff writer and critic for TV Fanatic. She's a member of the Critic's Choice Association, enjoys mentoring writers, conversing with cats, and passionately discussing the nuances of television and film with anyone who will listen. Follow her on X and email her here at TV Fanatic.