‘Switched at Birth’ Season 5, Episode 5 Spoilers: “Occupy Truth” – Racial Tension on University Campus Heat Up; Iris Goes Too Far with Hunger Strike?

‘Switched at Birth’ season 5’s episode 5, titled “Occupy Truth,” will follow the continuing racial tensions on the university campus as things heat up. Iris continues her hunger strike but she may finally go too far.

The synopsis for “Occupy Truth” posted on TV Guide reads, “The Black Student Union take a stand against the university administration until their demands are heard. Iris (Sharon Pierre-Louis) continues her hunger strike until the students responsible for a racist display are expelled;

Sharee (Bianca Bethune) gathers signatures and rallies students; and Chris is torn between playing in a game with baseball scouts and standing with his fellow students to show solidarity.”

The promo for the upcoming episode shows the ensuing chaos at the university campus. It opens to Bay (Vanessa Marano) screaming at authorities when she finds that they are trying to subdue an African-American student by pinning him to the ground and putting him in handcuffs.

In another scene, Iris is asked about her decision to go on a hunger strike. She insists, “Sometimes, drastic measures are needed to affect change.” In the next scene, she is seen passed out on the floor presumably because of pushing her body to the limits.

In the previous episode, titled "Relation of Lines and Colors," Iris was forced to initiate a fight against racism when she grew frustrated over the lack of discussion on racial issues.

According to the recap on Buddy TV, the Black Student Union was bombarded by growing harassment prompting Daphne (Katie Leclerc) to take a stand against the issue. She headed to Professor Marillo’s office to ask for help. She was surprised to discover that there had been no communication between the school administration and the African-American student groups.

Iris planned on going on a hunger strike in hopes of getting some students expelled and even misinterpreted Daphne’s intentions to intervene. She believed that her friend had betrayed her. Daphne attempted to make things right by joining Iris in the hunger strike.

‘Switched at Birth’ season 5’s episode 5, titled “Occupy Truth,” is scheduled to air on February 28, 2017 on Freeform. It was directed by Jeff Byrd and written by Talicia Raggs and Lizzy Weiss. It will be followed by episode 6, titled "Four Ages in Life," scheduled to air on March 7.