Orphan Black

Well, I don't start a lot of topics, but I have a real obsession here. It's a show called Orphan Black and it's the most fun show I've seen in a long, long time. If you haven't heard of it, that's because it's from Canada and airs in the U.S. on BBC America for some reason. It's about a woman discovering she's part of a series of clones, all played by the crazy-talented Tatiana "what-the-hell-how-does-she-do-that" Maslany.

Yes, ridiculous, but not a gimmick! Each clone has her own personality, look, accent, motivations, body language, you name it. So much so that you sometimes forget it's all the same actress. There are other characters of course, but nearly all the best ones are played by Tatiana Maslany. You will come for the unique premise, stay for the insane acting hoops this actress is made to jump through (clones impersonating other clones), and before long, you'll realize it's a pretty damn cool show in its own right.

If you're unsure, I'd recommend at least checking out the opening scene. It's something else.

The first season is free on Amazon Prime and most cable providers have the show on demand.

And for those of you already on board, feel free to post your thoughts on the latest episodes, personal clone rankings, dope GIFs or whatever, or general musings. I'm always down to talk about this show.

Oh, and I cut a video of Helena eating a muffin.

Despite taking a while to get going, I really enjoyed the first season but the second season has been a little disappointing so far. I'm hoping that, like the first, it'll pick up steam near the end. That said, Tatiana Maslany continues to be a fucking revelation. It's criminal that she probably won't even be considered for an Emmy.

Orphan Black owns bones, but I haven't watched the latest episode yet.

Also I watched Nikita and Ari Tasirov being an evil christian scientist is fucking me up

That's interesting. I'd say the second episode was so-so, the third one was decent, but I thought the other three were a step above even the best episodes of season 1. The last episode in particular blew me away, though part of that may be the fact that I did always want Sarah and Helena to be buddies. (I teared up a little, I admit.)

I'm hoping word of mouth is strong enough that she can make a real go at that Emmy.

Oh, you should jump on that. I thought it was the best yet.

@spunkyhepanda: I haven't seen the latest episode yet, so that's encouraging. Now that I think of it, the bathroom scene at the end of the previous episode was incredible, so this season does seem to be getting better as it chugs along.

I watched it just now and you are so right.

I appreciate how they're characterizing Leakie and Rachel now.

(plus Helena obviously but still)

I was a bit unimpressed with Rachel when she first showed up, but she's quickly rising up the ranks for me. That sex scene was a great character moment. Never thought I'd say that.

I suspect Leekie's gonna regret going against her. I'm looking forward to a more menacing Rachel. She's never really felt like a huge threat, especially since Sarah beat the hell out of her.

Especially considering that she should probably get 6 (one for each "actress", of course).

I'm pretty (some say overly) critical of TV shows, especially these type of suspense-thrillers that just seem to go on auto-pilot these days, shoving in trope after trope and projecting their wrote "twists" so far in advance that they clearly think their audiences are 98% idiots, but Orphan Black is a fucking masterpiece. Every time it veers into potential cliché, they subvert it. Every character is three dimensional, and no one has (yet) become a cartoon version of themselves.

(okay, maybe the ol' super religious crazy people trope is still in effect (and that sewing up a mouth thing was really dumb), but I feel like they're taking it somewhere a little new, at least.)

And fuckin' Tatiana frickin' Maslany! Not since Nick Cage as the Kaufman brothers in Adaptation has an actor created such unique individual characters themselves. For example, a friend of my GF's said that after the latest episode she went to IMDB to see who played Helena. Of course, she new it was Tatiana playing them all, but each clone c-word is so distinguishable, it's easy to forget that it's all trick photography and see them as completely different people.

Also, the music is really good.

And now, speculation!

Paul is definitely gonna come down on Sarah's side in the end, no matter what.

Keira has some kind of special senses. Maybe (hopefully) not supernatural or anything like that, just maybe enhanced human abilities that may have been the reason the clones were created in the first place.

And the big one... The Project LEDA guy is somehow reverse aging, and is actually now the bumbling college dude that Cosima has helping her with research!

Whadda you folks think?!?

Hahaha, wow. Wow wow wow. I can't deny the resemblance, but I do hope they don't go that far with the sci-fi. Human tails are one thing.

I haven't watched any of the most recent season, but I found the first season to be very solid - not great, but pretty darn watchable.

I personally put Orphan Black on the same tier as things like Continuum and Arrow - shows that by all regards should be throwaway but manage to find a way to be engaging.

Been watching the new season and so far so good. I like all the different personalities she plays. The supporting cast is good as well.

I'd say that's about where I was at by the end of season 1. I thought it was a show with a lot of amazing stuff (Alison's downward spiral being a personal favorite) that was hurt by some pretty cheesy stuff (evil science dance clubs!) Rewatching to catch up for season 2 gave me a new appreciation for the show. The cheesy stuff became more fun than cheesy, and though the show seemed a bit aimless in spots at first, everything just started to click more. Season 2 has also managed to do a lot with the season-ending twists that I didn't really care for at the time. New clone Rachel in particular is excellent.

Helena is the best, that road trip was the best, and the twins are the cutest thing in the whole world.

So ready for Rachel vs. Leekie.

...there's a BBC America? Fuck, either way I need to start watching this

Anyone still watching this? Thoughts on season 2? Will spoilerblock my opinions, just in case.

You know what I'm hard up for a new show to watch, i think i might give this a go later this week. If i remember i'll pop back in and give some thoughts! Sounds interesting.

Man, I keep forgetting to get caught up with this show and am about halfway through season 2. My heart belongs to Cosima and I cannot stand seeing anything bad happen to her, it's part of the reason why I've slowed down my watching to be honest.

Never saw this show until Monday. Say what you will about Comcast, but they had both seasons in full to watch on Demand. I loved every minute of it. I can't believe the way Tatiana Maslany could become all the different characters. The story could be a little better at spots, but I found myself on my toes and also thoroughly enjoying the more goofy parts.

Cosima is totes the best.

I love Orphan Black, but I have yet to watch the new season. I guess I keep forgetting that it's going on.

I've been hearing a lot of great things about this show. I may as well try to catch it. Any idea if it's on Netflix?

Loved the first season atleast, but haven't watch the second season yet.

Like some others here, it seems, I watched the first season and didn't follow along with the second. Mostly because there aren't a lot of good shows airing in the summer, and I figured Orphan Black would be a good show to leave on the back burner till all the other shows had wrapped up. I'm watching it now, half way done. Still pretty fun.

Huh, it's not. That's a shame. It's a fun show, if you don't mind some convoluted sci-fi nonsense. Because the show has a lot of that. Also some religious philosophical nonsense. All sorts of nonsense, really. But nonsense in a fun sort of way, generally speaking.

@bremaine: It's on Amazon Prime, at least.

Just finished Fargo, which is one of the best seasons of TV I've ever seen. Time to hit Orphan Black, I suppose.

I like Orphan Black a whole lot. It's a bit too twisty for it's own good, but it's still very likeable.

I really dug the premise, but man some of the cheesy sci fi stuff is too much sometimes. Not sure I'll watch the second season.

Hooray, my thread is reborn!

@spunkyhepanda: Yes, I love this too. I like Grimm as well in terms of digestible, high concept shows (I've just finished season 2).

It's amazing to see how expansive the set locations are in BBC America programmes compared to the UK produced ones. There was a pit in a forest that was used in Sherlock, Fades, Luther, Merlin & 2 or 5 "police corruption" themed programmes.

@yothatlimp: Season 2 is a lot better.

@spunkyhepanda:

I didn't intend to watch all the final 4 or 5 episodes today, but that ended up happening.

One thing that bugged me throughout my watching of season 2 that had nothing to do with season 2 itself, I forget where this show is supposed to be set. Are they in the US? Canada? Where the fuck are these people?

As for the season itself, the convolutedness factor continued to rise. Maybe close to full on off the rails levels. Still enjoyable though. Especially whenever Helena is around. I don't remember if I liked her in season 1 or not, but she was the best part of season 2. More Helena, please.

@pyromagnestir: I seem to recall reading an article that said it's supposed to be some kind of non-specific location. Like Mega City in the Matrix. I could be making that up, but I'm pretty sure that's what I read.

@dr_monocle:

Seems like that could be true. They don't really ever bring up any big cities or name states or countries. I think they once said Cosima was going to college in Michigan, and that's the only actual place that's been name dropped as far as I can recall.

The setting is kept intentionally vague. I guess they thought Americans wouldn't respond to a show set in Canada? I dunno, it's a strange choice.

Yeah, I think the show threatens to spin out of control every once in a while. I'm choosing to put my faith in the writers with this male clone thing. The show's still completely unpredictable, that's for sure.

Helena's my favorite.

@pyromagnestir: They're definitely in Canada, but not a specified city. Which makes Paul's military group a little confusing, because he's totes an American, I think.

@spunkyhepanda:

@spunkyhepanda said:

Helena's my favorite.

I rewound to watch this part at least twice when I first watched this scene.

@csl316: Thanks for letting me know. Sadly I can't afford to get Amazon prime. :( Hopefully they release it on Netflix one of these days.

@bremaine said:

It seems like most cable providers have it on demand, so if you have cable, look into it!

Sooo I was thinking about that Metal Gear comparison I made earlier, which gave me an idea, and then I went on another video editing bender and this happened. (mild spoilers, I suppose, although I tried to avoid anything overt).

I feel like Felix's line at the end is a pretty good description of the show, to be honest.

Great work! Spring 2015 feels so far away.

@spunkyhepanda: thanks!