Skip to Content

Orphan Black, Ep. 3.02, “Transitory Sacrifices of Crisis” takes a step in the right direction

After the underwhelming season three premiere, “Transitory Sacrifices of Crisis” is encouraging, moving what appears to be the crucial arc for the season, the introduction of Project Castor and the CastorClones, towards more interesting territory. While the two main CastorClones featured this week remain Bad Moustache Clone and Fauxhawk Clone, they’re given names and briefly, motivation. Seth (BMC) is sick, a short circuit in his brain causing searing pain and Rudy (FC) is protective of his brother, certain Seth will be put down if they return to base as they’ve been ordered. It’s not much, but this is far more characterization than Ari Millen has been given to work with either last season or in the season three premiere (aside from Creepy Cult Clone, Mark), and he does a surprising amount with these few beats. Seth and Rudy’s treatment of the woman they lure back to their hotel is appropriately creepy and traumatizing, a logical way to bring Art back into the fold, and making Sarah Manning the inspiration for Rudy’s decision to go off-book is a nice touch.

Read More about Orphan Black, Ep. 3.02, “Transitory Sacrifices of Crisis” takes a step in the right direction

Ready For Their Close-Up: Six TV Characters Worthy of a Spin-Off

Television history is littered with the bodies of ill-advised spin-offs. Their corpses, copies of reviews and overnights crumpled in their clawed little hands, defile the memories of the successful shows that spawned them and serve as cautionary tales for every writer tempted to go to the same well twice. However, every once in a while, …

Read More about Ready For Their Close-Up: Six TV Characters Worthy of a Spin-Off

My 2014 Emmy pipe dream (Part 2): 5 long-shot Drama nominations that should happen

(Note: I only considered nominees for the categories to which they were actually submitted. For example, I could not select Alan Cumming for The Good Wife, since he did not submit himself as a Best Supporting Actor in a Drama.) Best Drama Series: The Killing After it controversially failed to resolve its storyline in its …

Read More about My 2014 Emmy pipe dream (Part 2): 5 long-shot Drama nominations that should happen

Orphan Black, Ep. 2.10, “By Means Which Have Never Yet Been Tried”: Haphazard finale expands Clone Club

Orphan Black season two comes to a close with one of the more predictable twists this season could have brought, expanding the world of the Dyad Group and introducing a whole new slew of possibilities for season three. Unfortunately, the limited scope of the Dyad Group was not an issue this year, and further complicating it does not help rectify the largest problem still plaguing the series. At the end of two seasons, Orphan Black does not have any meaningful antagonists.

Read More about Orphan Black, Ep. 2.10, “By Means Which Have Never Yet Been Tried”: Haphazard finale expands Clone Club

Why You Should Be Watching: Orphan Black

In the 2012-2013 television season, a little-buzzed-about show made its series premiere on BBC America, on the heels of science fiction juggernaut Doctor Who. That show was Orphan Black, and over the course of its first ten episodes, it firmly formed its own identity, emerging from the shadows of all the other series in its …

Read More about Why You Should Be Watching: Orphan Black

Orphan Black, Ep. 2.05, “Ipsa Scientia Potestas Est” ups the stakes by crossing a line

All season long, Orphan Black has focused on character moments and the tremendous and personal stakes for each of our leads. This week, the show hits that home even further as it, for the first time, threatens the heart of the series. We like Kira- she’s an adorable little moppet who’s smart enough to ward off the cops and intuitive enough to see through the clones’ impersonations. We like the Mrs. S, particularly when she’s getting her badass on, we like Art, and we definitely like Cal, but honestly, any one of these characters could go if the story demanded it. They’re entertaining, well-written, and ultimately, disposable. The one who isn’t, at least at this point, is Felix and this week, Rachel crosses a line when she goes after him.

Read More about Orphan Black, Ep. 2.05, “Ipsa Scientia Potestas Est” ups the stakes by crossing a line

Orphan Black, Ep. 2.03, “Mingling Its Own Nature With It” adds new pieces to the puzzle

Orphan Black picks up this week right where the previous episode left off and builds momentum as it goes. While there’s plenty of new mythology here, what makes the series continue to shine is the character-based approach it takes to these new developments. We open with a less-than-refreshed Sarah and Felix on the lam with Kira, roughing it in the country in their truck, but rather than dive in immediately with schemes or a reminder of the various threats against them, we get a full scene of the two reacting to last week’s revelation of Mrs. S’s utter badassdom.

Read More about Orphan Black, Ep. 2.03, “Mingling Its Own Nature With It” adds new pieces to the puzzle

Orphan Black, Ep. 2.02, “Governed by Sound Reason and True Religion” wisely moves series in new directions

Orphan Black came back running, literally, last week and episode two continues this momentum with another strong episode. The season one-ending decisions by Alison and Sarah to sign, and not sign, their deals, respectively, remain less of a limiting factor than many may have guessed, though that surely can’t last much longer. With Alison on to Donnie, she’s likely to begin acting out again. Having signed her rights away, how much space will The Dyad Institute give her before they intervene? Tatiana Maslany continues to shine particularly bright as Alison and her desperation at the end of the episode is palpable, and incredibly affecting.

Read More about Orphan Black, Ep. 2.02, “Governed by Sound Reason and True Religion” wisely moves series in new directions

Orphan Black, Ep. 2.01, “Nature Under Constraint and Vexed” an energetic, fun return

Orphan Black is back, and before diving into an analysis of the season premiere, it feels right to take a moment to enjoy that statement. This series exploded onto genre fans’ radar last year, putting together a fantastic first season that embraced its heightened world while grounding itself with relatable, recognizable characters and one hell of a central performance from Tatiana Maslany. It was one of this reviewer’s picks for the best TV shows of the first half of 2013, it stood out as having one of the best episodes of all of 2013, and at the end of the year, the SoS writers collectively voted it the #15 TV series of 2013, among incredibly heavy competition. Orphan Black season one was fresh, exciting, and perhaps most importantly, it was fun. Thankfully, if this premiere is any indication, we’re in for more of the same in season two.

Read More about Orphan Black, Ep. 2.01, “Nature Under Constraint and Vexed” an energetic, fun return

SDCC 2013 Wrapup- Part 3: Friday brings Adult Swim and the always awesome Indigo Ballroom line

On Friday, the convention kicked into full gear, with more people in attendance than the previous two days and the start of the big ticket programming in Hall H (The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones). Many of those following the TV programming at the Con opted for Ballroom 20, with Marvel’s Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. among …

Read More about SDCC 2013 Wrapup- Part 3: Friday brings Adult Swim and the always awesome Indigo Ballroom line