'The Lying Game,' 'Switched at Birth' Contrasting Takes on Similar Themes

COMMENTARY | This week, ABC Family premiered its new television drama, "The Lying Game." Like its network counterpart "Switched at Birth," this new show offers a modern take on age-old switcheroo story lines.

"The Lying Game" features identical twins who were separated at birth. Sutton (Alexandra Chando) is adopted into a wealthy family while Emma (also played by Chando) struggles in troubled foster homes. Meanwhile, "Switched at Birth" deals with two girls who are what the title suggests.

These shows seem to offer a contrasting take on the nature vs. nurture debate. In "The Lying Game," Sutton is very much a product of her privileged environment. She is the "It Girl" with the ideal (fake) boyfriend, friends who worship her, a BMW, and doting parents who remind her that they chose her. Meanwhile, on "Switched at Birth," Bay (Vanessa Marano) is very much the black sheep whose fiery, artsy temperament sharply contrasts with her WASP-ish family.

Yet their working-class counterparts seem to have more in common. Emma and Daphne have their own struggles as outcasts in their environment. On "The Lying Game," Emma deals with a neanderthal foster brother who harasses her for sexual favors and frames her for stealing. On "Switched at Birth," Daphne (Katie LeClerc) struggles with the challenges of being deaf. However, she has a supportive mother (Constance Marie) who believes in her and nurtures her talents.

The wealthy siblings seem to occupy differing places in their respective families' hierarchy. On "The Lying Game," Laurel (Allie Gonino) resents the fact that Sutton was "chosen" while she herself was the "accident that happened 10 months later." On "Switched at Birth," Toby (Lucas Grabeel) is much more similar to his parents than his sister.

Blair Redford is the ideal segue because he has played the wealthy girl's boyfriend on both shows. On "Switched at Birth," he was a hardworking guy from the wrong side of the tracks, and a love interest for Bay. On "The Lying Game," he was Sutton's secret boyfriend. Viewers have yet to learn the circumstances behind this situation.

These shows take on a very contrasting tone. 'The Lying Game" is dark and suspenseful, a seeming hybrid of "The Parent Trap" and "Pretty Little Liars." Viewers are left wanting to know who the dark-haired "stalker" is, who Sutton and Emma's real parents are, and how they came to be separated. Meanwhile, "Switched at Birth" deals more with the human relations aspect. This show more overtly handles issues of class, culture, and communication. One show plays out like a mystery thriller while the other puts forth a social conscience.

"The Lying Game" airs Monday nights at 9/8c on ABC Family.