Orphan Black – Collapse of Nature

By: Alex Steele

And with that, the hiatus is over. This week, “Orphan Black” premiered their fourth season and by golly was it everything our clone-loving hearts have desired. I’m sure the hiatus’ are feeling longer and longer, but if every premiere continues to deliver like Collapse of Nature did, then the audience will never be disappointed.

Starting off in a different fashion, throwing it way back to before we even met Sarah, some of the questions we’ve had for three seasons now, were answered. But don’t get too excited, with answered questions just come more questions. As the hour opened, we are following a dark figure, wearing none other than a sheep mask through the woods (we were treated to the first four minutes as a teaser). The sheepish figure comes across two paramedics standing over an empty grave where they are disposing of a body and weirdly making out in celebration of their success. Oh “Orphan Black,” how I’ve missed you. With a small fumble, our sheep friend places a bear sticker on the tree and runs as to not draw any unwanted attention their way.

They pull out a cell phone to make a call and we cut to [who we soon find out to be] Beth (Tatiana Maslany). Instructing Beth to follow the coordinates, “MK” sends through a message and encourages Beth to not trust anyone next to her. Welcome back, Paul (Dylan Bruce). This is coupled with the reveal that MK (Tatiana Maslany) – the dark, sheep-masked figure – is in fact the newest clone. After receiving the coordinates, a little snort of some hard drugs and an awkwardly tense exchange with Paul, Beth is seen meeting with Art (Kevin Hanchard) at the crime scene. What they find is a male body, with their cheek completely removed and a Neolution eye. But wait, let’s not forget to mention the surgically modified penis. The body modification area of “Orphan Black” is somewhat fascinating, but this, wow.

Before heading back to the police station, Art and Beth stop for breakfast (huh?) where he checks in with her. And as stubborn as we know all the Leda clones can be, Beth gives nothing away. This episode saw the return of so many characters and with a timely interruption by Angie (Inga Cadranel), who is tripped out by the modified penis of their latest victim. Even before all the events of Season One, Angie and Beth never saw eye to eye.

Back at the precinct, we see a pre-Season One Felix (Jordan Gavaris) trying his darnedest to sweet talk the police officer currently writing him up for lewd behavior and drug use. Did anyone else yell “OMG” when they realised how close Felix and Beth were to actually meeting. Adding to the shock is Beth’s asking for favor of Raj (Raymond Ablack), surveillance gear to track Paul’s behavior (Remember when Sarah found all that equipment way back when?).

Receiving another call from MK, Beth leaves to go check it out. Talk about Cosima 2.0! MK isn’t so much clued into Science, but her technological background seems to be her calling card as evidenced when her meet with Beth is actually via computer screen. Their discussion covers everything neolution where we learn that MK escaped them, hence the masks and extreme protective measures. Off the back of some information, Beth heads to Club Neolution where even more familiar faces pop up. Olivier (David Richmond-Peck) and his tail are there; however, Beth doesn’t make it that far. Regardless of the stone-wall she met, Beth uses a book she found at the club as another lead. And the book, whose is it you ask? Dr. Leekie (Matt Frewer). What we learn upon Beth questioning him is that both he and Olivier are well aware of Beth’s mission, that Paul is failing as her monitor and that they need a contingency plan. But don’t worry, they’ve already thought that far ahead.

After being thrown off the case and ordered to do a pee test, Beth returns home for her scheduled dinner with Paul. In what may be the most chilling scene of the episode, Beth and Paul get into a very passive-aggressive argument as the distance between these two is incredibly overpowering and so noticeable that even a half-naked Beth, pleading for Paul to “see me, look at me” gets nothing in return. Wanting a lover that can look her in the eyes, someone who can reach inside of her, we learn how alone and how unloved Beth truly feels. As Paul retreats to the couch, the camera slowly reveals a hauntingly broken Beth standing behind him, gun to his head. “You’re hollow” are the words she utters. “There’s nothing inside of you,” she continues. This entire exchange, gripping and utterly tragic, illustrates just how devolved their relationship had become – just how unstable Beth’s mental and emotional state was. Dylan and Tatiana are nuanced scene partners, delivering such emotional depth to scenes, leaving the audience needing air. Seeking refuge in Art, Beth turns up on his doorstep. After putting his daughter to bed, Beth is seen laying on his couch, half asleep. From one dynamic scene duo to another, Kevin and Tatiana delivered on the relationship chemistry we’ve all be waiting to see. Opening herself up to Art, no words are needed, just a look and with that the audience realizes that this relationship is deeper than any conversation could portray.

After evidently sleeping with Art, Beth receives a phone call from Trina (Allie MacDonald) – the pregnant girl from the Neolution bar – worrying about her boyfriend. The information the girl has aligns with the pair Beth and the team are looking for regarding the murder in the woods. By this point in the episode, we are well aware that Beth works to the beat of her own drum; that telling her what to do and when to do it is never going to go over well. She gets the address of Trina, sneaks out and is on the search for the missing Neolutionist, but what she comes across is nothing short of freaky. The paramedic duo are performing what looks like an operation on this guy’s cheek – please note, that Detective Duko (Gord Rand) from the precinct has arrived at this time and so the plot thickens. Dr. Leekie, did say he had someone on the inside? As the operation continues and the cheek is removed what is revealed next is something the audience has already seen before. Remember that time Delphine (Evelyne Brochu) was attacked and nearly infected with that insane looking worm? Well, here it is again – this time imbedded in the cheek. Beth stumbles after witnessing this, and flees. Frantic and hopped up on drugs, she has her gun drawn and is ready to defend herself.

Tatiana Maslany is powerful in distinguishing these characters and as Beth is spiraling downward she reacts to subtle noise behind her by shooting, twice. Sadly, though, the victim is an innocent civilian. Not only that, it is Maggie Chen (Uni Park). Through the following sequence we learn that Art helped cover up Maggie’s murder (this guy truly loved Beth) and Detective Duko was the officer responsible for taking Beth’s statement. As she retreats to the safe harbor of MK’s caravan, Beth is lost. Overwhelmed by the responsibility of it all, concerned for the welfare of her sisters, Beth unloads on MK. The parallels between Beth and Sarah – their undying commitment to their sisters and justice – are uncanny. More so even, when the relationship with Beth and MK is shown as one of comfort and understanding. We’ve all fallen in love with each clone over the last three seasons, and now, we understand why and that is because of Beth. She started this endeavor, this fight and to know how it ends? That, my friends, is a gut punch.

It isn’t until the last scene that we meet back up with our fearless crusader, Sarah. Receiving a call in the late hours of the night from Art brings what we’ve just learnt in the past, straight into the future. Sounding concerned, Art says he has someone there who needs to talk — it’s MK. She knew Beth. “Neolution is coming. Right now. You need to run.” And with that, we’ve officially gone down the rabbit hole that is the crazy, powerful world of all things clones, family and Science. Bringing Beth’s background to the forefront was a great move by creators Graeme Manson and John Fawcett, giving us insight into the woman who so heartbreakingly took her life. They give us answers to why, when and who. We may have got ourselves a new clone in MK, but as the episode ended, it felt as though we had two. Learning about Beth helped us outsiders appreciate and respect the woman who from the beginning was trying her hardest to protect her sisters and deliver justice. Bring on Season Four, I say.

Other key points:

• Cosima moved schools for Beth and Alison (after breaking up with her girlfriend)
• Alison was eager to learn how to shoot a gun (She picked it up quick, because we all know how good a shot she is) and she was helping Beth’s drug habit.
• MK has OCD tendencies and likes to wear masks and is crazy smart. So excited for this new clone!