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Review: True love’s kiss on Orphan Black

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SPOILER ALERT: Please do not read on unless you’ve seen the Season 3, Episode 6 of Orphan Black, titled “Certain Agony of the Battlefield.”

Poor Paul. Such a noble death for the shady character. We never really knew whose side he was on until tonight, when he fully admitted to Sarah that it was her he loved all along. Looking back, it was fairly obvious that they were going to kill him off: A) he was disrupting the Castor camp completely by jailing Mommy and the rest, B) he had feelings for Sarah, their captive, and C) with Cal in the picture, Paul’s character had kind of hit a dead end.

Still, he went out fighting, and fighting hard. For the first time in my Orphan Black viewing time, I actually came to like Paul. We knew who he was working for, and it made all the difference. When he revealed that he was secretly packing a grenade in the end scene there, I actually let out a cheer. For once it was “Go, Paul!” instead of “Ugh, it’s Paul again.”

Interesting, too, how Beth was brought back to the forefront. Sure, Art mentioned he was in love with her a couple episodes ago, but we got to live and breathe Beth again. She’s downright creepy in Sarah’s hallucinatory dream, but drops a pearl of wisdom on Sarah prior to her waking up: “Stop asking why, and start asking who.” Before the end of the episode, we have both Paul and Sarah asking “Who?” They get answers, but not full ones.

Seems Mommy and her crew are illegally testing the Castor virus/disease/infection on unsuspecting women—enough to fill a couple black books—and they’re testing it so it can be used as a weapon. Mommy doesn’t seem to have any problems with it, and her complete lack of conscience indicates to me that she’ll be dead before the end of the season. She is irredeemable now, having killed Paul, almost killed Sarah and infected multiple strangers. Can’t wait for her to get her comeuppance (hopefully from Helena).

Helena in the desert was one of the greatest Orphan Black scenes to date. When she ate Pupok for sustenance, I smiled wide. (Does that make me a sick person?) I swear I could watch a Helena-only spinoff, no problem.

Another scene for the history books is, of course, the Donnie and Alison “making it rain” scene. The music, the flying money, the sexual gestures, the underwear … it’s something you or I would do if we won the lottery. Orphan Black hasn’t really been doing that very much this season: crazy stuff that makes us laugh. We want the zany, non-sensical interactions. Remember when Felix wore those assless chaps? Or when Scott and his nerd friends were playing that fantasy board game? Like that. This was a nice reminder of what the show can offer outside of sci-fi and drama. Despite that scene, I still contend the Alison/Donnie plot is by far the weakest one. So the couple wants to “take it to the next level” in the drug-dealing game? SO. WHAT. The whole thing is so pointless and derivative, I can’t even believe it’s still going on. Thank goodness Maslany and Bruun are so fantastic, otherwise this would have been disastrous.

In other news, Cosima got some! (Her storyline also steps outside the main plot, but she’s still fully involved in the goings-on. This is how it should be done with Alison.) We even got to see naked Tat back. Usually it’s just man bum on this show, so I approve of the change. The love triangle I prophesied last week has come to pass. Delphine is back in town and lurking on the sidelines, and yes, even taking pictures of Shay and Cosima’s date. I guess Shay is trustworthy, then? We can never forget what Beth said: “Start asking who.” So I still don’t trust her.

We see Rachel at the end, crying. She’s either broken or ready to kill; those are the only two options. She seemed kind of broken to me this time, what do all of you think?

Clone of the Week: Sarah. Girl went to hell and back, plus she lost a man who loved her and was reunited with her daughter and sister(s)—Helena in reality, and Beth and Kira in dreamland. Oh, and she almost died. Three times.

Random Thoughts:

  • The only reason I can come up with as to why the Alison/Donnie plot is still going on: eventually the clones will need money for something. Alison will be there to provide it.
  • Rachel vs. Felix. More please. And FINALLY Felix gets in there, really angry and relentless. It’s more believable that his character would do something rather than just sit around with Mrs. S.
  • Prettttttttty sure Kristian Bruun’s balls were visible in the money scene.
  • How does Alison not care at all about her sisters or their welfare? It seems very far-fetched that she hasn’t even called them, not to mention know anything about the situation with Castor.
  • Helena: “I regret nothing.”
  • Shay’s hair was totally a wig, right? What is it with this show and bad wigs?
  • Felix: “Now nut up and take me to the cyclops.”

Orphan Black airs Saturdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Space.

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Featured, Orphan Black

Review: Sister, Sister on Orphan Black

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SPOILER ALERT: Please do not read on unless you’ve seen the Season 3, Episode 5 of Orphan Black, titled “Scarred By Many Past Frustrations.”

Ah, Orphan Black was back to form this week.

As much as it pains me to point it out—because I’m an Alison fan to the core—you’ll note what storyline was missing from this episode: the Alison drug-dealing plot. In its absence, things sailed along, with even very disparate stories (Shay and Cosima’s blind date, Helena and Sarah planning an escape, Gracie bonding with Mrs. S. and Felix) blending together seamlessly.

While the dominant Sarah/Helena story was obviously the most gripping, the other two didn’t detract from the excitement. As lame as it was to see Mrs. S. dancing with a drunken Gracie (who was worse? Tough to tell.), there was at least a lighthearted humour to it. With the Alison subplot it’s almost too hard to suspend disbelief.

But I’m spending too much time talking about something that wasn’t even in the episode! I think I keep doing it because this week’s episode was so far superior to the preceding four that I can’t help but compare. Things moved. Things happened. So far this season I’ve been able to get up and make a sandwich during the show and I didn’t miss a thing.

Not so tonight, as I was completely gripped by Sarah and Helena reuniting, talking, and planning an escape. Remember, again, that this is the same actress playing both roles. It’s so easy to forget when you’re watching Maslany, especially as Helena. The way their scenes were shot was also something to behold: both clones with their backs against the wall speaking through a grate, the camera panning back and forth.

There is an irrefutable charisma to Helena, and I find myself practically thirsting for her to have more dialogue. Every utterance is either funny, charming or crazy (which can also sometimes be funny), and the added physicality (the hair. THE HAIR!) make her the best clone of the bunch, hands-down. When she screws over Sarah in the end, leaving her in the cell—I consider the move a just retribution—the slate is wiped clean. We know from the ending that Helena will be back, though, ready to rescue her sister. Here’s hoping she takes down the whole compound.

Things outside the Castor base are calmer, but not without their requisite drama. Gracie wants to break free from the Prolethians for good, and seeks to confirm that separation by drinking and dancing to bad pop music. For whatever reason, Felix and Mrs. S. nurture this plan, and keep feeding her booze. I couldn’t stop thinking, “This girl has just suffered a clone miscarriage, shouldn’t she be in bed?!”

In any event, things end badly when she’s on the floor writhing in pain, her eyes turned blood red. The escort who slept with Rudy and Seth reveals to Art that she also has red eyes. Seems the Castor boys are spreading something. Zombification? No, couldn’t be. Right? There should be some kind of unspoken law against zombies and clones in the same TV show.

Something’s up in the Cosima-Shay love story as well. Who was taking pictures of their date? Shay must be some sort of spy. Even though we know she has ulterior motives, the feeling between the two women was genuine, and the first-date awkwardness was pretty believable. Ksenia Solo (Lost Girl) takes a different turn as this character, and it’s refreshing. Master flirt, that Shay.

We see that Delphine is back next week, so it looks like we’ll have ourselves a love triangle. Also—Kira? What is she doing at the base? And Rachel looks back to normal. If the show stays on track, we could have a real gem coming up.

Clone of the Week: Helena. Scene-stealer.

Random Thoughts:

  • The set for the Castor base is pretty obviously a set. It looks very fake. It’s like at a Disney park when you approach a ride and they have those faux stone walls. You touch them and they’re styrofoam.
  • Shout-out to Halton Police!
  • Felix: “She doesn’t look like she’s ready for cult deprogramming.”
  • What a great opening scene with Pupok, the camera following the scorpion’s point of view to Sarah’s dangling hand.
  • Helena: “Yes, much shit.”
  • I can’t believe Felix hasn’t been given more to do. No love interest, no involvement in the craziness, just hanging out at home.
  • Helena: “Dirty Paul.”
  • Always remember to hoard small butter packets, kids. You never know when they’ll come in handy.

Orphan Black airs Saturdays at 9 p.m. ET on Space.

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Orphan Black

Link: Orphan Black’s Kathryn Alexandre and Nick Abraham have many hats to wear

From Tony Wong of the Toronto Star:

Orphan Black’s Kathryn Alexandre and Nick Abraham have many hats to wear
And normally, acting doubles don’t spark the kind of fervour with fandom that Abraham and Alexandre have. Or inspire the kind of demanding auditioning process. That’s because in one sense they are the coolest kids in the Orphan Black universe: They are the doubles of the doubles of Orphan Black. In the world of sci-fi fandom, or at least in some alternate reality, that should make them worthy of a spinoff show of their own. Continue reading.

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