Orphan Black is the best show on television and you should all be watching it

[The Man]

For those unfamiliar with the basic premise, it's a Canadian science fiction show running on BBC America. A First Episode Spoiler summary follows:

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Sarah is a small-time con artist who sees a woman who looks exactly like her jump in front of a train. She takes the dead woman (Beth)'s belongings, which she had thoughtfully left behind, and makes plans to escape town with $75,000 and her daughter. However, it quickly becomes apparent that Beth killed herself because her life was a complete mess, and impersonating Beth brings with it more than Sarah bargained for. The end of the first episode has her meeting up with another identical woman, Katja, who is shot dead in Sarah's presence. It quickly becomes apparent that Sarah, Beth, and Katja are/were all clones, and someone is trying to kill them off. And there are other conspiracies that extend far deeper than one might suspect at first glance.

This show manages to be utterly engrossing on just about every level. The writing, effects, soundtrack, etc., are all top notch and thus far there hasn't been a single thing about the show that has taken me out of the world they've created. It also does a superb job subverting traditional gender tropes. Not only does the show pass the Bechdel test with flying colours (and most episodes fail the Reverse Bechdel) but it frequently subverts traditional expectations of females and femininity in ways that will no doubt appeal greatly to members of this message board.

The show also has a tightly plotted mystery arc that resembles what the writers of shows like The X-Files and Lost were trying to do, only with this show it's clear that the entire thing was plotted out from the beginning, and there is no excess fat. Each episode is filled with "holy shit" moments that make the wait for the next episode almost interminable, and the amount of dramatic tension the show manages to generate is almost excruciating at times.

The main reason to watch it, though, is Tatiana Maslany. While the entire ensemble cast is very good, Maslany is literally half of it. I don't mean she's on screen for half the time; I mean she plays literally half the parts. There are at least six major characters Maslany plays that are all clearly distinct human beings. They look different, they sound different, they talk differently, they act differently, they even walk differently. They also impersonate each other at multiple parts of the story's plot, and you believe completely that it's one character impersonating the other. As a commenter on tumblr said, "Sarah as Cosima doesn't even look like Cosima and I will never understand that because they are literally the same person". Maslany deserves Emmy awards for best actress, best supporting actress, and best ensemble and the entire SFX/makeup team deserves awards for making her interactions with herself as different characters seamless. It is, bar none, the greatest acting performance I have ever seen.

Orphan Black is the best thing currently on television (that I'm aware of, anyway) and you're doing yourself a grave disservice if you're not watching it. You can watch the whole thing on BBC America's website, so you really have no excuse.

I have only one small caveat: It may take you a few episodes to get into. It's a very plot-heavy show, and the first few episodes have to set up a lot of the background for the show before it can really start blowing your mind. Also, several of the characters start out rather unlikeable. Keep watching; they get better. Even murderous psycho Helena isn't what she seems at first.


Anyway, I partially made this thrad to share this link with people who already watch it (although it has no major spoilers, so if you don't watch it yet you're safe to read it anyway): Orphan Black Characters Storytelling Gender Bias Villains | The Mary Sue

[BrotherMan]

Yes. What The Man said. You remember the complicated corporation controlling people and personhood that Dollhouse tried to pull off but didn't for whatever reason? Orphan Black takes that shit to school and makes it wear the dunce cap and clean the erasers after school. There is nothing not top notch about the show. Everyone is a fully dimensional character.

If you've heard the clamor from the internet about Tatiana Maslany but dismissed it because the internet gonna net, then you need to check it before you wreck it. She's the real deal and she's that good. Any one of the characters could make for a great and entertaining show but she's playing six of them. The people they pay to pay attention to the details aren't there just to collect a paycheck. They are working their eyeballs out and it definitely shows.

One thing I'm hoping and praying will eventually make it all the way into American television are the short seasons. It really helps eliminate the boring and tedious fat and bullshit that a 22+ episode season builds up. Yeah, you have to pay attention and there's only a small window of getting spoiled, but the final product really shines as a result.

[LadyShea]

What those people said is all true.

Also, you can catch up on Prime, and maybe Netflix if you haven't watched it.

[slimshady2357]

This thread is most timely for me as we've just finished Hannibal and True Detective and were looking for something quality to watch.

We've been watching Perception for the past couple of nights and although it's not terrible it's pretty meh.

[godfry n. glad]

Yeah...Thanks to the lot of you. I'll pass this on to the household tater.

[Janet]

It's on my list to get to. I hope to manage this summer now that all my regular shows are in reruns.

[slimshady2357]

BAMP!

This show is pretty damn good and Tatiana Maslany is just as awesome as people said. Possibly more awesome even. She rocks and the way she makes each clone come alive as a unique individual is amazing to watch. And the double layer, when she's one clone pretending to be another clone... You can see it, you can see how it's not quite perfect, you can see the other clone slipping through. Seriously, it's freaking amazing.

We super binge watched this one because after about the second episode we were totally hooked. The first night we ended up watching 6 episodes straight even though we had to start the last one at 2am. We're old fogies, so that's like sunrise for you young peeps

And now we're all caught up and we have to wait for each new episode

Also, I don't know if y'all have seen it already, but there is an hour show hosted by Wil Wheaton called The Cloneversation that was done between seasons and has the cast talking about the show and their roles. Wil isn't a great host really, he seems really forced, but the discussions are good.

You can watch it parts on youtube:
Orphan Black The Cloneversation Part1 - YouTube

[MonCapitan2002]

You guys make me want to watch this. I'll definitely check it out when I have the free time.

[Janet]

Fine! I watched three episodes in a row last night. Are you happy now?


It was really good.

[The Man]

Glad people are enjoying it.

Another excellent article on the series:

TV's Most Important Political Debate Is Happening Right Now on Orphan Black

Contains spoilers for season two.

[LadyShea]

OMG!

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A trans clone! Not only is the character Tony very obviously a young man (I at first thought "male clone through genetic mod" and NOT "trans"), another acting triumph for Tatiana Maslany, Felix corrects the cop's incorrect use of the pronoun "she" in a perfect, subtle way. Just awesome!

[The Man]

Originally Posted by LadyShea

OMG!

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A trans clone! Not only is the character Tony very obviously a young man (I at first thought "male clone through genetic mod" and NOT "trans"), another acting triumph for Tatiana Maslany, Felix corrects the cop's incorrect use of the pronoun "she" in a perfect, subtle way. Just awesome!

Yeah, I was really pleased with the way they handled that. I can't think of much that could have been done to improve it. They've hinted we'll see more of

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Tony

next season. Though we still haven't gotten an official confirmation the show is renewed, which is driving me nuts.

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One thing that really pleased me about Tony was that they did an excellent job of depicting a trans* individual in the process of transitioning. Although unfortunately it seems a lot of viewers didn't pick up on this.

Episode nine of the new season was amazing too.

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• I have never loved Helena more than in this episode. "There was a woman in convent like you. You touch her again and I will gut you like a fish." And her rescue of Gracie at the end of the episode. Just amazing. I won't be surprised if she ends up coming to Sarah's rescue at the end of next episode somehow.
• Donnie. "My ass it is! Beth Childs' police business? How about Art Bell? Suspended for doing far less than this. All these women and you just can't put it together, can ya? You don't want to know what we know and if you come near my home or my family again, I will bury you. Smile. Have a shitty day!" His confrontation of Vic was equally amazing, particularly his ability to bluff with the safety on.
• I loved how Alison and Donnie both managed to help each other keep their shit together when the other was about to break down.
• Let's not forget Kira. Possibly the most badass character in the entire show.
• I knew Rachel was going to be up to no good and I kind of suspected she'd end up impersonating Sarah to kidnap Kira but even so that was heinous. Rachel may be the most terrifying female villain on TV since Snoop Pearson, and that's counting when Helena was still a villain.

People may appreciate this from the show's science consultant as well. Note that there are multiple parts to the page, including this about episode eight. (Spoilers)

This show never fails to deliver.

[BrotherMan]

I don't even feel sorry for cult-dude. He thought he could treat her like a piece of meat, some herd animal like he's trained the others. He learned the hard way you do not fuck with Helena or her sistren or her babbys.

[LadyShea]

"Helena will fuck your shit up"...lol that's the first thing I told Hubby when he sat down and watched an episode with me.

[BrotherMan]

I am completely short circuited by this show. I literally cannot even. It is so consistently awesome my brain can't catch up to make words about what is happening. Each episode is so chock full of things that I just give up and hang on. Like for reals. I'm in one of these three states while watching this show:

[Janet]

So, after that first night I got through everything else that was available in three more days. I basically lost my weekend catching up, walked into work on Tuesday and said, "Good morning, Sestra," to my sister. Then I told my nieces and my sister and my best friend that they all need to start watching.

I think the thing that has impressed me most is the shot of Sarah looking terrified that's in all the previews for season two. She seriously looks as scared as I have ever seen a person look. Getting to that episode and realizing she was playing that scene with no one blew my fucking mind. Everyone is right, she deserves all the awards.

[BrotherMan]

I love that Felix is a sestra too. I love that Helena uses it as both affectionately and as a needle.

[Janet]

Oh, and I forgot to admit that I totally didn't notice Art's name was Art Bell until I read that transcript. Please someone tell me he really, truly is named for THE Art Bell.

[The Man]

2.10 spoiler

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blinded_with_science.jpg

Great episode and not at all what I was expecting.

[The Man]

Another 2.10 spoiler:

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Making of the clone dance party

[BrotherMan]

I was waiting for a shoe to drop. I'm glad that it didn't drop. But that just reset the clock that keeps a check on my anxiety. I know it sounds weird but Cosima is my favorite.

I didn't recognize the Castor. Besides soldier guy, have we seen him before?

General state for this episode: [doctorintherain.gif]

[The Man]

Scattered thoughts on the episode (and an answer to one of your questions, Bort):

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• I kind of suspected there would be a male clone and I'm really glad it wasn't Paul or Felix. Both of those would have been too obvious.
• I'm sad we won't see any more of Ethan Duncan but at least he went out in style. Leaving his notes with Kira was a brilliant move on his part as well.
• Cosima and Delphine just freakin' broke my heart this episode. If Delphine isn't ok I'm going to rage so hard. And Cosima having a cipher developed over 20 years with only an annotated Island of Doctor Moreau to decode it? That's a hell of a race against time.
• Kira just continues to be so badass. I loved how sneaky she was this episode and I'm wondering if we'll get some interactions between her and her young aunt Charlotte.
• Helena also broke my heart. If there's any female clone who can survive whatever the military has planned for her it's her, but I'd really give 50-50 odds on who gets fucked up more from their interactions. She probably won't be the same person when she inevitably escapes. I just hope we don't see her become a completely broken person.
• I'm going to have to re-watch all of Paul's interactions with Siobhan and Mark as well as Mark's interactions with the Proletheans. I suspect the reason he and Gracie don't have their own kid is because the male clones are also infertile, but I could be going out on a limb there. If true though it would hint that the Proletheans knew a shitload more than they let on and would suggest that the Birdwatchers selling them out was an even greater twist than previously expected.
• The reveal about Marian was a much more interesting development than making her a typical evil CEO. We have an evil enough executive type in Rachel anyway, we didn't need more.
• Speaking of which, I hope Rachel is just injured and not dead. The show needs at least one villain we can love to hate. I'd love to see her rock a stylish eyepatch or one of those bionic eyes next season.
• Castor guy is Mark Rollins, the Proletheans' former enforcer who married Gracie this episode. We know of at least two others, the crazy guy Marian showed Sarah at the end of the episode and the guy who watches Helena get on the plane just before that.
• The ending just felt like it came out of nowhere and reminded us of how little we really know about everything in this show. It suitably redefined the stakes.

I don't know how the hell I'm going to wait nine more months for new episodes. They'd just better fucking renew this show or there will be riots.

[BrotherMan]

Props to the make up department because I didn't recognize that guy as the Castor. And the actor, too. Him being all hair slick and stone faced as one of the cultists had me totes fooled.

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Cosima having the key for the cypher is a huge step ahead of anything anyone else has. Even though she seems to have a focus on chemistry/biology, the key doesn't seem out of her reach. But still, there is the time element.

And dear sweet summer child, Kira. Somehow she knows more than anyone else on the show. And that meeting between her and Helena was just

All of your suspicions make sense to me. I wouldn't be surprised if the All Clones are Infertile is where it's at. It still hasn't been explained just how much the Prolethean knew or how he knew it. I don't doubt that Rachel is still alive. She was breathing and moving the last time we saw her. And she's probably really angry. (I'm not calling her Rachel Fury. I too am hoping for the rockin' eyepatch you see.)

If this show isn't renewed then a lot of people need to be fired. This show is every bit as equal to all that Breaking Bad nonsense. Super tight plot. On point script. Out of this world acting. Plus Tatiana Maslany.

[Janet]

Two thoughts:

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Rachel has to be alive. Frankly, I don't know how we made it so long without an evil twin sporting an eye-patch but I know I can't survive without it now that it's an option.

If the Proletheans know about Mark they might have made him the father of all Helena's children instead of the father. We only heard from Gracie that they were the father's kids, so maybe that is the case.

[Watser?]

You bastards had to drag me back in, didn't you?!

At some point it was getting a bit meh to me with all the clones and the accents and the mannerisms, after that wow start, but it's a lot more interesting again further on.